The journey of home improvement is often filled with unexpected turns, challenging decisions, and moments of incredible transformation. For us, our backyard has been a prime example of this ongoing evolution. The sheer volume of questions we received on this particular Instagram post served as a clear signal: we hadn’t been keeping you adequately in the loop regarding our outdoor oasis. Rest assured, there have been some truly monumental shifts – including the strategic decision to hire professional landscapers, an investment that has proven to be the most invaluable “backyard warranty” we’ve ever acquired. You can delve deeper into why two dedicated DIYers chose to outsource their backyard planting in this insightful podcast episode.
With even more exciting backyard developments on the horizon, and a flurry of comments like “Wait, when did that happen?! How do you like that?! How did you do that?!” filling our inbox, we realized it was high time to provide a comprehensive update. Join us as we recount the significant stages of our backyard’s remarkable transformation, sharing the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the joy found in creating a truly functional and beautiful outdoor living space.
Update 1: Embracing Openness – The Deck’s Farewell
For many of you, your last vivid memory of our backyard might involve a colossal wooden deck, stretching majestically across the entire rear facade of our home. It was once a central feature, defining our outdoor experience. However, as is often the case with well-used outdoor structures, its charm eventually faded, and its condition began to deteriorate.
Our evolving relationship with the deck was something we candidly discussed way back in June of 2017, in Episode #51 of our podcast: ‘Why We Want To Tear The Deck Off Our House’. The reality was, we had fallen out of love with it. One of the primary reasons was its rapid decline. Though we had made valiant efforts to revive it after moving in – meticulously stripping and staining its surfaces – these improvements proved to be merely temporary bandages. The wood continued its relentless degradation, nails persistently popped up, and boards curled and warped, creating an uneven and increasingly unsafe surface. The constant maintenance required to keep it even marginally presentable became a significant burden, detracting from our enjoyment of the space.
Beyond the structural issues, the deck no longer served its original purpose for our family. When our children were younger, the fenced enclosure of the deck offered a convenient way to “corral” them safely outdoors. However, as they grew, this same enclosure began to feel less like a protective barrier and more like a visual and physical obstacle, separating us from the lush, expansive grassy area of our backyard. It felt restrictive, preventing us from fully seeing and enjoying the true potential of our outdoor space. Recognizing this, we made the pivotal decision last fall to remove it entirely. We enlisted the help of a skilled local handyman, and together, we meticulously dismantled and removed the entire structure from the house, initiating a new chapter for our backyard.
As we delved into in Episode #67 of our podcast, the deck’s removal, while liberating, left a considerable amount of work in its wake. The immediate aftermath wasn’t just an empty space; it was a complex landscape of exposed utilities and neglected areas. We promptly scheduled our HVAC company to carefully reposition the air conditioning unit, which had previously nestled beside the deck, moving it closer to the house for better aesthetics and accessibility. Our trusted electrician was also called in to expertly tidy up and reroute various wires that had been concealed or integrated into the deck structure. Furthermore, the giant tree stump that had been hidden beneath the deck for years finally got its due, with our tree service grinding it down to ground level. And, of course, a thorough power washing of the brick foundation was essential to eradicate the unsightly green slime and grime that had accumulated from years of moisture and proximity to the degrading wood.
By the time Halloween rolled around last year, we were left with an exhilaratingly fresh, clean slate – a blank canvas awaiting its next transformation. The air felt lighter, the view unobstructed, and the possibilities endless. (Please excuse the lingering greenish deck scum in the photo below; this was captured before our final power-washing session.) This new openness truly redefined the potential of our backyard, paving the way for the exciting changes that were to follow.
Update 2: Elevating Our Outdoor Space with Professional Landscaping
After several disheartening attempts to cultivate lush screening plants around the perimeter of our backyard ourselves, we reached a point of frustration. The cycle of investing money, time, and effort into plants that consistently failed – often just beyond their initial warranty period – was becoming unsustainable. We were tired of pouring resources into a losing battle, and it became unequivocally clear that our DIY approach wasn’t yielding the desired results for the long-term privacy and beauty we envisioned. It was then that we decided to call in the experts, recognizing that some tasks truly benefit from professional touch and expertise.
A neighbor provided a glowing recommendation for a local nursery, whose program immediately caught our attention. Their unique offering included a complimentary landscape plan, provided you purchased your plants from them. The real game-changer, however, was their professional installation service, which came with an unbeatable 2-year warranty on all plants. This comprehensive “plant insurance policy” was precisely what we desperately needed. No longer would we face the arduous task of digging up dead plants and hauling them back to the store; if anything perished, they would return to our home and replace it entirely free of charge. This peace of mind, coupled with their expertise, was the ultimate deal-sealer.
To truly appreciate the transformation, let’s take a quick look back at what our backyard looked like shortly after we moved in. It was a space we had already invested a significant amount of personal effort into, having meticulously planted all the grass ourselves over the course of a few years:
Fast forward to last November, after the dedicated crew from the nursery completed their expert planting of screening plants around the perimeter. The difference was immediate and striking. The new design incorporated a thoughtful mix of hardy perennials, primarily holly trees and ligustrum, strategically chosen for their ability to grow into dense, privacy-providing screens. Complementing these practical choices were various ornamental trees and shrubs, such as a graceful weeping cherry, a distinctive gingko, and two elegant Japanese maples, adding layers of color, texture, and seasonal beauty to the landscape. This diverse selection was aimed at creating year-round interest and fulfilling our desire for both seclusion and aesthetic appeal.
Entrusting our backyard to landscaping professionals has undoubtedly been one of the most astute decisions we’ve made for our home. The sheer volume of labor they accomplished in just a day and a half would have easily consumed a solid week of our own time and energy. More importantly, their “insurance policy” has already proven its worth tenfold. We’ve had a staggering seven bushes replaced – yes, SEVEN! – including one of the larger holly trees, all casualties of a harsher-than-usual “bomb cyclone” winter that challenged even the hardiest plants. This generous warranty saved us considerable expense and the frustration of repeated replacements. Beyond just replacements, the team has also provided invaluable remote advice via email, assisting us with ongoing challenges like our persistent deer and pest issues (we recently had a concerning Japanese beetle scare). In essence, their expertise and comprehensive service are the only reasons we didn’t spend another year spinning our wheels, wasting precious time and money on plants destined to fail.
While the landscaping still requires time to fully mature and achieve the dense privacy we ultimately desire – especially during winter when deciduous trees shed their leaves, leaving the space feeling somewhat bare – we are incredibly optimistic about its progress. The plants that were replaced have all thrived in their second planting, demonstrating resilience and vitality. Barring another unusually severe winter next year, we are confident they will continue to flourish. A remarkable benefit of their program is that the warranty restarts whenever they replant something; thus, those seven newly installed bushes are guaranteed for another two full years from their planting date. It’s truly an exceptional and homeowner-friendly program that provides immense peace of mind and fosters long-term success for our outdoor investment.
Update 3: The Versatile and Affordable Pea Gravel Patio
Of all the changes showcased in that viral Instagram photo, the pea gravel patio generated the most enthusiastic inquiries. Comments like “Tell me more about that pea gravel patio! How do you like it? How did you do it?!” flooded our feed. Sherry and I were genuinely surprised by the intense interest, mainly because its creation was, in many ways, a spontaneous “throwaway decision” to address an immediate need rather than a long-term design choice.
Our ultimate vision for this area is a grand, meticulously laid stone patio – perhaps constructed from elegant pavers, or maybe something more luxurious like slate or bluestone, echoing the sophisticated dark tile in our adjacent raised sunroom. However, we’ve made the deliberate choice to postpone this permanent installation for a crucial reason: allowing the ground to fully settle. For anyone who has experienced the death of a tree or the grinding of a large stump, you understand that the soil in that area often sinks over time as the underground root systems naturally decay. Rushing into a permanent patio installation could lead to an uneven, problematic surface down the line, requiring costly repairs. Therefore, patience is paramount for a lasting, stable hardscape. The immediate issue, however, was that after the deck’s removal, this area was nothing more than exposed dirt and mulch. We certainly didn’t want to endure a muddy, unsightly pit in our backyard while patiently waiting a year or so for the ground to naturally stabilize and compact.
So, during the professional landscapers’ visit last November, while they were busy with our extensive planting project, we inquired if they could haul in some basic pea gravel (similar to this type) to fill the exposed area. The cost was incredibly affordable – less than $100 for the entire space! This temporary solution not only addressed the immediate mud issue but also provided a future benefit: the pea gravel can easily be repurposed as a paver base when we eventually install our permanent stone patio. A helpful, unprompted detail from the landscapers was their meticulous preparation; before dumping and spreading the gravel, they expertly dug out the area approximately 2 inches shallower along the two edges that meet the grass. This thoughtful “trench” design effectively helps to contain the gravel, significantly preventing it from migrating into the lawn. Consequently, we’ve found that the rocks stay remarkably well-contained within the designated patio space.
You might wonder about weed control. We opted not to install any specific weed barrier beneath the gravel, and surprisingly, we haven’t encountered significant issues. Any weeds that manage to sprout through the layers of rock are typically sparse and easily pulled out by hand. Despite its origins as a temporary fix, we are genuinely thrilled with the functionality and appearance of our pea gravel patio. Our main minor “peeve” is that moving patio chairs while seated can be slightly awkward, as they tend to drag and get stuck. This could potentially be alleviated by thoroughly tamping down the stone – ours was simply dumped and raked – and perhaps by using a less deep layer of gravel, which might make furniture movement smoother. Nonetheless, for a budget-friendly and quick solution, it has exceeded our expectations.
A delightful, happy accident of this temporary patio is how seamlessly the new pea gravel blends with an existing aggregate path that leads to the patio area. This unexpected harmony creates a cohesive visual flow, preventing the space from looking disjointed. (Our beloved dog, Burger, is often found lounging right where the pea gravel meets this older path, a testament to its inviting nature). While we eventually plan to replace this old aggregate path with a stone one that perfectly matches our future permanent patio, for now, the current arrangement works surprisingly well and adds to the charm of our outdoor area.
So, will the pea gravel patio be a long-term fixture in our backyard? The honest answer is no; our ultimate goal is a more durable, hardscaped patio. However, this doesn’t diminish our belief that it’s an excellent option for many others, particularly those working within a tighter budget or seeking a quick, impactful update. We even considered it for our beach house! It’s likely best suited for patios where furniture isn’t frequently rearranged, such as a dedicated fire pit area, a fixed picnic table setup, or a lounge space featuring stationary couches. Its versatility and affordability make it a fantastic interim or permanent solution for the right outdoor setting.
Update 4: Illuminating Evenings with Charming Garden Lights
Even though our patio isn’t in its final, permanent form, Sherry simply couldn’t resist the irresistible allure and charm of an extra-long strand of garden string lights. These seemingly simple additions possess an incredible power to transform an outdoor space, instantly infusing it with warmth, intimacy, and an inviting ambiance perfect for evening gatherings or quiet relaxation.
The layout of our backyard presented a somewhat awkward challenge when it came to hanging the lights, primarily due to a limited number of suitable anchor points. However, through a process of trial-and-error – a common theme in many home improvement projects – we discovered that a single, impressively long 48-foot strand would perfectly illuminate the desired area. Our initial attempt involved using two separate strands, swagged from three distinct points on the covered sunroom. While this created a lovely effect on one side, it resulted in an undesirable clumped appearance on the opposite side, where we only had a single available anchor point (the one visible in the photo below, which I’m currently touching). It took us about an hour of experimentation, adjusting and re-adjusting, to realize that connecting two strands that converged at this central anchor point offered the most balanced and aesthetically pleasing configuration, distributing the light evenly and gracefully across the patio.
For the attachment points, we opted for a straightforward solution: screwing classic white cup hooks directly into our home’s wood siding. We then simply looped the light cords securely over these hooks. While these particular hooks aren’t technically rated for outdoor use, their white finish blends seamlessly with our siding, making them visually unobtrusive. We’re hopeful that the vinyl sheath of the light cords will help deter any potential rust formation over time, maintaining their clean appearance. Currently, the entire lighting system is powered by a white extension cord that runs discreetly, though unceremoniously, down to an outdoor outlet located within our sunroom. It’s a functional setup that brings instant charm to our evenings.
In due course, we plan to refine the plug situation, addressing the current excess of extension cord and aiming for a more polished, permanent solution. We’re considering installing a smart switch or similar device that would allow us to keep the lights plugged in continuously, controlling them with ease. However, for the time being, the current setup is neither excessively cumbersome nor an eyesore. In fact, as these photos clearly illustrate, the extension cord and hooks are hardly noticeable, allowing the warm glow of the lights to be the focal point and enhancing our outdoor living experience significantly.
We hope this detailed update has thoroughly answered most of your burning questions about our backyard transformation. From the dramatic removal of the old deck to the strategic implementation of professional landscaping, the practical charm of our pea gravel patio, and the enchanting glow of our new garden lights, each step has brought us closer to our ideal outdoor living space. For the remainder of the summer, our primary focus will shift to the backyard of our beloved beach house (aside from diligently ensuring our plants here remain healthy and uneaten!), so stay tuned for exciting updates on that front as well!
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