Front Yard Before and After
This is the front yard of our first home. We bought this house in 2002 and sold it in 2013. I learned how to garden and design yards in this home. I didn’t know how much JOY I would find in choosing plants and watching them grow. When I look at a yard that doesn’t have a tree, or is crazy overgrown, I see so much potential. I think a lot of people are overwhelmed by yard work and don’t know where to start. I get it, if you start thinking about everything you want to do, you could easily become scared of moving forward and become frozen. Next thing you know you’ve been in your house for over ten years. In ten years a baby tree becomes a stunner.
I don’t think you need to spend $50,000 to make your yard into something you will enjoy. It needs to be clean, welcoming and lovely. Start with a tree. If you have one, trim it up so you can see through it and into the street from the house. Trim bushes away from your windows. If you don’t want to maintain a lawn, take it out. You can add drip irrigation and a dozen or so perrennials to begin (you can always add more later) and spread bark. A little effort can go a long way in creating a beautiful space that season after season will greet you and your neighbors. Not only does landscaping add value to your home, it actually makes your neighborhood safer and dare I say it, happier, which is the best outcome.
Here’s what we did:
Removed the dead tree and roots
Installed irrigation
Put in quick curb to create flower bed
Built a paver path
Planted trees
Installed sod
Planted so many plants until I learned what could live through toddlers, dogs and drought
Added window boxes
New roof, windows and painted house
Fertilized and cared for it, especially the first three years after planting!
I love changing a space from awkward and neglected to beautiful and peaceful.