Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Extreme Home Makeover

After months of neglecting our yard, Adam and I decided we needed to do some serious work on our beds to improve our curb appeal. We have watched all sorts of weeds spring up over the past few months, and recently figured out that the two large "bushes" in the front were actually trees that shouldn't be near our foundation. That meant we had to move them! Besides their large root systems, we also didn't like the way they covered up half of the front of our house. We also had some random plants in pots and did I already mention a forest of weeds? Anyways, since we were already buying the dirt and mulch, we also decided to make a bed in the back near our swing and add the bushes there. I can see the swing from our living room, and wanted to have some pretty flowers and greenery around it to see from our home during the day. Now that I am teaching from our house, I wanted to spruce things up a bit. Here are some before and after pics...

Front Yard Before








Front Yard After










I think I am most excited about the pink knock-out roses and my crepe myrtle (which up until last week I thought was "crate" myrtle. Wow, shows you just how much I know about plants!) I also chose plants that would attract butterflies, like pinta, lantana and butterfly weed. I'm hoping we will have some pretty visitors this summer! I just want to add a hydrangea to my doorstep and then I will be done with the front.

Here's the back before...



And the back after...



I still need to move the swing back to its spot (diagonal against the bed) and buy a climbing rose for the trellis, and then we are done! The swing is a special spot for us...this swing used to be in Adam's parents' back yard, and it is the honorary spot of our first kiss! (And wow, it was a good one! :) When his parents moved, they passed it on to us, knowing that it was the first place sparks flew for the Watsons! Haha!

Anyways, stay tuned for more pics on our home makeover this summer. I do not decorate year-round, rather, I choose to do it in spurts over the summer when I have more time to do so. This summer we are painting our living room/entry/hallways one color, hanging curtains, and getting some furniture, so I will post the changes as they take place!

7 comments:

lauren said...

Thanks for the comments! I love your landscaping!! It's so much fun to do and makes a house look like a home! I also love the swing and hope to get on very soon!

Corrie said...

OHHH! How pretty everything looks! You guys did a great job...so professional! You'll have to take more pics when things are in full bloom!
You may have a green thumb after all!

laura said...

Thank you! We had LOTS of input and suggestions from our local nursery and seasoned gardeners (both of our moms love to garden). I can't take credit for it! And Corrie, thanks for all of your earlier suggestions! I'm going to have to look into the white Jasmine--it is so pretty!
Now I just need to keep these plants alive!

Nicki W. said...

looks sooo good! is that a mom car i see in the garage? where's the old camaro?

Anonymous said...

Looks so good!! Too funny about the crepe myrtle...I thought it was pronounced "creepy" at first. We have one in our front yard as well.

laura said...

Nicki-Yeah, we got rid of the 15 year old camaro and bought a Highlander over Christmas. I love it! Adam drives the camry now and is so excited to be in something less than 10 years old! Katie- Good to know I'm not the only one who didn't know it was crepe! :)

Page said...

I totally pronounced it "crete myrtle" as well. whoops! hehe