Back Yard Makeover: Planting Time

Typically I upload pictures to a new post and then when I get time I come back and write. I had intended to write this post last spring but somehow it was forgotten and the pictures awaiting words became lost amongst my "drafts" waiting to be finished & published. . .

 

When we moved into our home 5 years ago our backyard was a blank canvas full of weeds. Over these 5 years we have expanded the patio, moved dirt, poured cement stairs, moved dirt, built a retaining wall, moved dirt, added a swing set, created a bike path complete with a bridge, dug trenches, layed sod, built a raised bed garden, hawled in boulders, moved dirt, finished off the play area with cement curbing & sand, moved dirt, installed a basketball court, & moved more dirt. The dirt moving is Paul's thing . . . I think he just likes driving the neighbors skid steer. 

 

Despite all the work that we have done our backyard was still lacking in color & life.  So after many visits to the nursery & hours pouring over Sunsets Western Garden book it was finally time to plant!!!

 

Before the fun stuff could begin Paul had to move dirt yet again. No skid stir this time, just a pick axe (packed desert soil is rock hard after years of rain & sun), shovel, wheel barrel, rake and a super cute and energetic assistant!

I am grateful that Paul is willing to work so hard to see our vision for the yard realized.

Several times over the last 3-4 years we have contacted a landscaper or two, to come & finish our yard for us. Thankfully they took so long or never got back to us that it has given Paul & I plenty of time to dream, create & change our minds many times.

And am loving the end result. There is still much to be done but we are enjoying watching the humming birds as they stop by the flowers for a snack, the smell of the cedar mulch after a rain, and less weeds & dirt on the patio.

 There is also a great sense of satisfaction & accomplishment to look out our back windows and see our hard work every day. . .

 

. . . and in the 5th year they planted flowers, bushes & trees

 . . . and it was good!