From a dump to a yard

Category: Garden Novice | Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:12 pm

When we moved into our mobile home, the back yard held a huge shed, junk all over the place and rocks where a yard should be. It took a couple of years to convince my hubby that we had to do something. The first thing we did was to remove the shed and all the junk in the yard. Then we had a guy come out and remove the rocks and underlying plastic.

We had decided to adopt a blind rescued Boston Terrier and we needed a place for him to go potty. Since the yard was as hard as cement we opted to put down bark that first year. We also had to build a ramp into the back yard as there were no steps from the porch to the back yard. As the year wore on I could tell our boy really needed some grass. So at the beginning of this year we rented a roto tiller and tilled the yard adding in soil conditioners. We then bought sod and covered our small 100 SF with the new grass. Where the shed had been we laid down pavers and made a patio. I also carved out a few flower beds in the yard and also along the pathway that led to the front of our home. We bought an arbor with a gate, bamboo fencing, plants and we had an instant yard. We also took out the ramp and built steps.

Now, my hubby is about as handy as our blind dog. So all this work was hit or miss. Thank goodness my adult daughter helped out. She came up with some great ideas and helped with construction. In fact she and I did most of the work with hubby doing the roto tilling and moving cement blocks back and forth. He made a great pack horse.

I was super thrilled with our yard until I started seeing the burned areas caused by dog urine. So I went on a mega internet search and bought all kinds of things but it was a little late for part of the yard. I finally settled on buying some Zoysia grass and put the plugs in today. I hope they take hold and spread like it states online and on the paperwork they sent. Right now they look like some small patches of dead grass.

I just found out about garden junk and I'm so excited to start on my own garden totem. What a way to use up things and not spend a fortune on garden items.

As soon as I figure out how to post some before and after photos of our yard I'll upload them here.

I have to say that I'm very proud of myself as I knew nothing about landscape design or gardening in general. I've found that I love getting out nearly every day and working in the yard. It's a great new hobby and I'm having so much fun with it. But the best thing is, it was all done on a budget.

Last edited: Wed May 16, 2007 11:20 pm

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Comments

wannabe wrote on Wed May 16, 2007 11:25 pm:

The best garden is one you can do and plan yourself. This site can give you a lot of ideas. Wannabe

Gardenstew wrote on Wed May 16, 2007 11:45 pm:

Well done EileenT and gang for performing a great transformation. It's amazing what you can do once you put your (green) mind to it :)

Here is a topic to help you post photos:
http://www.gardenstew.com/about4115.html

Netty wrote on Thu May 17, 2007 12:02 am:

It is very satisfying isn't it?
I would love to see your pictures Eileen. I just love before and after shots!!

EileenT wrote on Thu May 17, 2007 12:16 am:

I uploaded photos into photo bucket and tried to upload them into my blog but can't figure it out! Help!

eileen wrote on Thu May 17, 2007 1:10 am:

Eileen simply copy the the third box under each picture in your photobucket account (the one beginning with IMG code) and then paste it into your blog and the piccies will be there for all of us to see. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing your newly landscaped garden!!

EileenT wrote on Thu May 17, 2007 1:48 am:

Here's how our yard looked before our makeover

[IMG]http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x299/emwtaylor/cottagekid1070-1.jpg[/IMG]

And here are a few after our makeover.
[IMG]http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x299/emwtaylor/yard20after.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x299/emwtaylor/Picture20064.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x299/emwtaylor/Picture20073.jpg[/IMG]

EileenT wrote on Thu May 17, 2007 1:49 am:

Okay, I tried and no pictures. I did just what you said, Eileen, and you can see there are no photos. Maybe it's my browser.

Gardenstew wrote on Thu May 17, 2007 9:18 am:

Sorry forgot to mention that images don't work here in the blog comments, only in blog entries and forum posts.

Chitweed wrote on Mon May 21, 2007 6:26 pm:

What a difference. Nice work. The doggie is lover-ly too. We used to have a Boston named Lucy...they make for wonderful friends.

gardengater wrote on Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:39 pm:

Good for you!! Fighters never give up. I also live in a mobile home park. When we moved in, there were no flowers, few trees. We planted a rose garden, veggie garden and full border with cottage flowers so far. Now flower beds and landscaping is popping all over the place. It's catching!
Hope you get complete healing with your back.

gardengater

gardengater wrote on Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:28 pm:

I'm so glad to hear you are recovering. It's such a temptation to get out there in the spring and dig, but take care of yourself. Better to wait now and live to garden another day.

Gardengater