YARD UPDATE SO FAR

HOMEYARD LIFE

May 17

The past few weeks we have shared little behind-the-scenes of us getting the yard together in my Instagram stories. If you aren’t connected with me on Instagram, let’s connect! We decided we would take the slow and steady approach here. Since The Great Quarantine of 2020, we have learned that slowing down is key for us and our happiness. Here is what we have done so far:

RIDING LAWNMOWER

We purchased a “new” to us but used riding mower. We have a huge yard and it was time for us to cut the yard service bill and Do-It-Ourselves. This was a great buy and I must admit, I was a brand whore here and wanted a John Deere mower. Why? I have no clue but my only thoughts were Reg would look nice on that with a trucker hat. I now have to convenience him on the tucker hat. Can’t win everything. John Deere Riding Mower: Facebook Marketplace

GETTING THE GRASS TOGETHER

Weeds. Weeds. Weeds. Bald patches. Our grass needed some TLC. We used three products here that totally changed our grass. We also learned that if you pour too much of the seeds in one area you will have yellow grass patches, luckily we had that accident in the backyard. Products For Green Weed-Free Grass: Triple Action Lawn Fertilizer, Patch Repair Sun and Shade, and Weed & Grass.

TREE TRIM + REMOVAL

One of our dead Ash trees fell and luckily a pine tree caught it and didn’t damage the fence below. We knew we had to bite the bullet here and spend the dough to hire professionals to cut down the three dead Ash trees in our backyard. If you live in Indiana and have an Ash tree, then you know that damn Ash beetle has killed many Ash trees. Our backyard looks so good now that those dead trees have been cut down. Reg purchased a chainsaw and trimmed the tree in our front yard and he did a great job! We also had a few fallen sticks to pick up from the dead trees that we stacked throughout the years. We used this heavy duty wheel barrow to help us transport the sticks and more to the the dumpster. Chainsaw: 14’ Gas RYOBI Chainsaw

BUSH REMOVAL

We also decided it was time to remove the bushes in front of our house and start fresh with new landscaping. Reg used the chainsaw to cut the bushes down, along with many other tools to help dig out the roots. We first trimmed the bushes down to the stumps, then (a week later) dug the roots up. Tools Used For Digging: Shovel, Garden Pick and Axe

MAILBOX

Our mailbox was hit one day and the top part was on the ground and we never really fixed it besides taping it back together. Yep, our mailbox looked trifling for weeks (maybe months). Now, we have a beautiful mailbox along with some nice curb appeal. We purchased a new mailbox, number sign, pavers, and rocks for our mailbox refresh. I’ll have another post dedicated to the mailbox and the how-to at a later date.

We have completed so much, yet we have so much more to do. Next, we have to finish the MAILBOX - need to update the number placement. ENTRYWAY - we would like to paint the door, fix concrete, add decor, and a new lighting fixture. LANDSCAPING - in front of the house (where the bushes were) we need to find low-maintenance plants, solar lighting, and mulch. TREE - still deciding what curb-appeal we want to add to the tree, either mulch or stones to match the mailbox. PAINTING - we plan to paint the deck, house trim, gutters, and the basketball hoop stand. Plus, get a new backboard.

I’m excited to see the transformation of our yard! Have you started any new house projects during this time?