Welcome to our annual yard tour! Every year, we diligently capture video snapshots of our home’s interior to marvel at its evolution, a journey you can revisit through our house tour archives. Following the success of our initial outdoor tour last year, which featured John bravely navigating the wild expanses of our backyard, we’ve decided to transform this into a cherished annual tradition. This commitment allows us to visually track how the exterior of our home transforms with each passing season, reflecting both our significant DIY endeavors—like the complete overhaul of our patio and the construction of our new deck—and the smaller, ongoing acts of cultivation, such as transplanting, seeding, and diligent weeding (more insights into our general outdoor efforts can be found here).
What’s truly astonishing is the dramatic difference between this year’s yard tour and the one from just 12 months prior. This remarkable transformation is a testament not only to the hard work we’ve poured into specific sections of the yard but also to the sheer, untamed vitality of Mother Nature, who has completely revolutionized parts of our backyard that we haven’t even had the chance to touch yet. It’s a captivating blend of deliberate design and spontaneous growth, creating an outdoor space that feels alive and constantly in flux.
The Dynamic Backyard: A Wilderness Emerges
You might think I’m exaggerating about the dramatic changes, but the visual evidence speaks volumes. Let’s start with a compelling side-by-side comparison of our backyard.
From Modest Beds to Majestic Blooms: The First Glimpse
Below, you’ll see a candid photograph of our backyard captured approximately one year ago. Notice the modest scale of the planting bed situated between the two paths.
Now, fast forward to today, and observe the same vantage point. The change is nothing short of breathtaking.
Can you believe how much bigger and denser that small planting bed has become in just a single year? These static photographs, compelling as they are, truly don’t do justice to the sheer scale of this growth; our video tour captures it far better. That once-modest butterfly bush now proudly stands an astounding 12 feet tall! It’s an incredible testament to the plant’s vigor and the fertility of our soil. We’re half-expecting a call from the Guinness Book Of World Records!
A Shifting Perspective: Nature’s Artistry Unveiled
Let’s explore another angle of the backyard from last year. This view offers a clear perspective of the landscape with distinct features.
Compare that with the exact same point of view now. The transformation is astounding. The butterfly bush, which was already impressive, has grown into a veritable giant. In the ‘before’ shot, you could clearly see the entire tree trunk behind it; now, it’s almost completely enveloped by a dense tapestry of “bushery” (a delightful term we’ve coined for its wild, overgrown charm). This organic curtain not only adds incredible depth and texture but also provides a sense of seclusion and natural beauty that we adore.
Home from Afar: The View from the Lot’s Edge
Next, let’s take a look at the view of our house from the very back of our lot, as it appeared last year. Notice the exposed foundation and the relatively smaller plantings.
And here is that identical perspective today. The change is truly incredible. Those initially tiny purple bushes have expanded at least threefold, now forming a lush, verdant border that completely conceals the entire house foundation from this vantage point. This natural screening not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also provides a greater sense of privacy and integration with the surrounding landscape. On a related note, some visitors have previously inquired about the architectural reason for the nook in our bedroom. As this shot of the back of the house clearly illustrates, its placement is crucial for maintaining a balanced exterior design. The large window visible in the bump-out section belongs to the living room. If we were to add a matching large window to the bedroom nook to balance the other bedroom window on that wall, it would result in a disproportionate large window directly beside a smaller window on the same bumped-out section of the house’s rear. This careful consideration ensures a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing facade, and we hope this photo clarifies that design choice!
Spring’s Promise to Summer’s Full Glory
To further illustrate the rapid growth our yard has experienced, here’s a shot from a little over a year ago, specifically last spring, before the significant growth spurt truly began. The plants are still relatively modest in size.
Now, observe the identical view today, with everything in its glorious full bloom. The contrast is astonishing. Notice how the knockout roses on the left side of the frame have exploded into magnificent, giant specimens. And once again, that central planting bed—dominated by what we affectionately call “Sir Butterfly Bush, Sr.”—has grown to an almost unbelievable size, overflowing with vibrant life. It’s so different that it almost doesn’t appear to be the same perspective, but if you look closely at the three large trees in the background, they serve as excellent anchors to help you align the ‘before’ image above with this lush ‘after’ picture below. This seasonal transformation highlights the dynamic beauty of our garden.
Cultivating Character: Our Side Yard’s Journey to Naturalization
The Vision for a Woodsy Retreat
Beyond the backyard, the growth in our side yard has been equally remarkable, and in this case, entirely by design. Our long-term plan for this area is to naturalize it, allowing it to evolve into a charmingly wild, woodsy retreat—a vision inspired by the beautiful, natural perimeter of our first home. We already have plenty of lawn to meticulously mow in the front and back, so for the furthest reaches of the back and the entirety of the side yard, we aim for a more hands-off approach, fostering an environment where nature can flourish with minimal intervention. Let’s take a look at a few photos of the side yard from last year to appreciate its starting point.
And now, these recent pictures of that very same area, captured today. Without a doubt, it looks significantly bushier and more established, wouldn’t you agree? We’ve intentionally planted several new trees, specifically river birches, chosen for their graceful form and ability to thrive in such environments. We’re patiently awaiting their growth, anticipating the day they fully mature to contribute even further to the lush, wooded aesthetic we envision for this serene section of our property. It’s a journey towards creating a sustainable, beautiful, and low-maintenance natural landscape.
The Untamed Side Lot: A New Discovery
One particular spot that wasn’t included in last year’s documentation, but which we’ve decided to incorporate this year, is the side lot viewed from its edge. Here’s what this intriguing area looks like now. The wild grasses that have taken root here are surprisingly beautiful, adding a touch of rustic charm and ecological richness to our property. It’s a delightful example of nature creating its own artistry.
Enhancing Curb Appeal: The Evolution of Our Front Yard
Redefining Boundaries: From Bush Fence to Open Views
The transformation isn’t confined to the back and sides; our front yard has also undergone significant changes, particularly from the corner of the lawn. This is how that area appeared last year, characterized by a rather dense “bush fence” that encircled part of the yard, creating a more enclosed feel from the street.
And here is the same area now, captured from an identical vantage point. The strategic removal of the bush fence has dramatically opened up the view, creating a more inviting and expansive front yard. This change not only enhances our home’s curb appeal but also allows for a better connection with the neighborhood, embodying a more welcoming aesthetic.
A Welcoming Entrance: The Overall Front Yard Transformation
To provide a comprehensive overview of our home’s exterior evolution, we must also include the full perspective of our front yard. Here’s what it looked like last year, offering a snapshot of its former state.
… and this is its current appearance now. The subtle yet impactful changes contribute to a more refined and appealing entrance to our home. The collective effort put into landscaping, maintaining the lawn, and carefully selecting plantings has truly elevated its character and charm.
Major Milestones: The Patio’s Dramatic Rebirth
From Drab to Dreamy: Our Patio Makeover
Among all the outdoor projects, our big patio makeover stands out as one of our absolute favorites, alongside the overall front yard transformation. This project truly redefined our outdoor living space. It began like this, a functional but uninspired area that was ripe for a complete overhaul…
… and was dramatically transformed into this! The contrast is profound, turning a utilitarian space into an inviting, stylish, and comfortable extension of our home. This renovation not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal but also greatly improved its functionality, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and entertaining. The patio now serves as a central hub for outdoor activities, reflecting our dedication to creating beautiful and usable exterior spaces.
Looking Ahead: Dreams for the Untamed and Beyond
Indeed, a tremendous amount has changed around our home over the past year! While the front and side yards have seen significant improvements, the very back of our property remains a true “jungle”—an area we are yet to systematically tackle. However, it’s incredibly satisfying to reflect on how much the front of our house and its surrounding landscape have evolved since the video tour we filmed last year.
Our Visual Story: A Year in Review (Video Tours)
For instance, in this year’s updated outdoor tour, you’ll witness firsthand how we meticulously landscaped the patio area, brought order and charm to the front yard, upgraded our outdoor furniture to enhance comfort and style, diligently seeded the lawn to achieve a lusher, greener expanse, and removed numerous dense bush fences that once obscured our house from the street. You might even catch a glimpse of how we cleverly concealed a secret outdoor book project with bath towels! Be forewarned, however: I must issue a stern warning about my performance in these video tours. I possess an unfortunate tendency to flail, and you might find yourself needing anti-nausea medication before viewing. Is it possible to be born inherently awkward on camera, or is this a skill I’ve cultivated?
The Value of Documentation: Inspire Your Own Outdoor Journey
Video thrashiness notwithstanding, we are genuinely thrilled to have this documented evidence of our yard’s appearance for the summer of 2012. It serves as an invaluable record, capturing a specific moment in our home’s ongoing transformation. We eagerly anticipate what next year’s footage will reveal. Do you think we’ll finally tackle some of that enchanting jungle in the very back? Our dream is to create a beautiful, expansive patch of lush grass for our beloved pets, Burger and Clara, to romp and play freely, while simultaneously naturalizing the area behind it into a wonderfully private, wooded haven. Will we have expanded our patio furniture collection and constructed that longed-for deck by then? We certainly hope so! Heck, by this time next year, perhaps our carport will have been magnificently converted into a fully functional garage. It promises to be an exciting journey, and as Andy Cohen famously says, it will be fun to “watch what happens.”
Do you, our wonderful readers, also make it a point to document your outdoor upgrades and landscaping projects? Does anyone else find themselves wandering around their property with a video camera or snapping countless photos, solely to capture how things looked on a particular day, preserving a moment in time? We sincerely hope this is a practice we continue, as we often wish we had thought to record all the yearly outdoor changes from our very first house on video. Oh well – live and learn! Every year brings new projects, new growth, and new memories to cherish, and we believe documenting these transformations adds another layer of appreciation to the journey of homeownership and gardening.