This backyard has truly been a labor of love—nearly 10 months in the making! After finishing our major interior renovation, we declared 2024 the year of the backyard. Little did we know just how much time (and effort) it would take. While we’re not 100% done, I’m so proud of how far we’ve come. What used to be a space we avoided is now one we actually enjoy—especially with the addition of our garden!

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Clearing Out and Starting Fresh

The first step? Removing trees that were way too close to the house. The biggest offender was a massive oak right on our property line with the neighbors. It constantly dropped leaves and debris and was starting to feel a little too close for comfort—so down it came. We hired professionals for that one (smart move), and thankfully the only casualty was a small section of our retaining wall. My dad and Ryan handled a few of the smaller trees, and yes—it was very entertaining to watch!

Fencing It In

Once the trees were out, it was time to address the fence. Half of it had to come down to remove the trees anyway, and most of it was falling apart. We decided to have a new fence and gates installed professionally—especially since part of it runs along a slope. Best decision ever. If Ryan and I had tackled that ourselves, we’d probably still be working on it.

Concrete, Jackhammers & Drainage (Oh My)

The patio project was a major undertaking. We demo’d the existing 8’x10’ patio that was about 8 inches thick. My dad came to the rescue (again) with a jackhammer, and while loading up all that broken concrete was not fun, at least we did it in the cooler fall weather.

Next, we dug over 100 feet of trenches by hand to install new drainage pipes for the downspouts, since the new patio would cover part of the original drainage path. It was exhausting, but we made it work!

We expanded the patio to 15’x30’ and chose stamped concrete for an elevated look that fit within our budget. We hired pros to pour and stamp it, then sealed it ourselves after letting it cure for about 30 days. Tip: if you’re sealing concrete—buy more sealant than you think you’ll need!

Adding Character: Paint, Garden Beds & More

With the big stuff behind us, we finally got to add some personality to the backyard. I’ve always dreamed of having a garden, so we built a raised bed and started growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers this spring. It’s a lot of work, but so rewarding! (You can check out that project here).

We also tackled a LOT of painting. First the retaining wall, then the fence. My little Wagner paint sprayer was a lifesaver. After some trial and error, we figured out a rhythm, and it made painting the dark color (Sherwin Williams Iron Ore) much easier. A few tips if you’re using a sprayer:

• Have extra filters on hand (especially with dark paint)
• Clean the nozzle regularly to keep things smooth

I think once we get some plants in, the dark fence will look really beautiful as a contrast.

What’s Next?

We still have a few things on the to-do list:

• Planting flowers and shrubs (I’m thinking a hydrangea hedge!)
• Tackling the upper part of the yard
• Adding another raised bed next spring
• Trying to grow grass (send tips, please!)

Future Goals

Eventually, we’d love to add an outdoor kitchen and a stone fire pit area, but we want to live with the space a bit longer before jumping into the next big project.

This backyard has come a long way—from forgotten to functional and (almost) fabulous. I’m excited to keep sharing the progress as we keep building our dream outdoor space.

Stay tuned for more updates!