Spring Projects

I did a ton of yard work last year when we first moved in.  The front yard looked like this when we bought the house...

After a lot of sweat and advil...

I am proud to say I did it all by myself too!  Digging out those bushes was so physically challenging, if you have never done it you have no idea!  It was not that my husband didn't want to help but between working full-time and being a full-time grad student, he did not have time to help.  He wanted to wait until he was finished with school and do it together.... but I want everything done Erika time - which is yesterday!
Chris did buy me this to help, which was an awesome gift!

As much work as I did last year.... there is still a ton more to do this year.  

This was our backyard before we moved in...

During my bush removal...

Here is the ivy that was taking over our house.

The ivy was blooming and it was so dense families of birds lived in it.  The ivy was coming through the walls in one of the bedrooms!  We paid someone to remove it because we did not have a ladder and my husband did not have the time to do it even if we borrowed one.  Plus, it was a hell of a job to take on ourselves.  We split the cost with the neighbor since it was about to swallow up both of our houses... money very well spent.  

I know we have A LOT to do in the front yard.

We need to put down grass seeds, fill in holes with soil, plant some bushes and/or flowers on the other side of the porch, start a butterfly garden, remove ugly brick border and re-paint the railings (to name a few)..... but I'd like to focus more on the backyard.  Mainly because most of it is work I can start now!

Here is a break down:

• create raised bed for vegetable garden
• remove all ivy
• remove one last bush (top right)
• remove old compost bin (hidden behind the top right bush)
• buy stand for the hose
• fix-up the old bench 
• fix the gate latch again (guys we paid to remove ivy broke it!)
• remove back left tree and plant a lilac bush or cherry blossom tree (or both in different areas of yard)
• remove old garden area, till up and put down grass seed
• create a patio area
• buy patio furniture for the patio area

Yes, I also need to: 

• give Obi a bath
• lose 10 20 pounds (think... tank tops and shorts)
• find a summer camp for Chloe

We are debating where to put the raised vegetable garden.... I think along the right side of the fence but Chris mentioned putting it to the left where the old bushes use to be.  I like this idea too, but it would take away some of our already small yard.  Where would you put it?  Also, apparently we are now debating whether to even make a raised vegetable garden.  I think it's a good idea, as my dad who is the best gardener ever suggested we start with a raised bed..... any gardeners out there that can help solve this debate? Raised bed or plant directly in the ground?

Looking at these pictures and thinking about yard work makes me just ache for spring! I can't wait for yard work, green grass, leaves on the trees, flowers blooming, windows open, sweat and humidity... I love it all!

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