One thing I think Josh and I will agree on without question is that our backyard had a lot to be desired. Since we bought the house almost 4 years ago our backyard was nothing impressive and nothing worthy of spending any time in. It was more so just there and while we cut the lawn and let the dogs out to take care of their business, it was never a place we spent any time.

Having a brother who is very knowledgeable and holds a career in Landscape Architecture, we asked Matt to help us make our ordinary backyard into a backyard we can use and enjoy! Matt came up with a design and made great use out of the area we have – extending our patio area, installing a fence, and turning some of our grassed area into nice flowerbeds.

Backyard Design

Over the course of a few weekends we were able to transform our backyard nightmare into a backyard haven that both Josh and I want to go out and enjoy ((we just have to get some nice weather)). The project started back in the late summer of 08. With a bridal shower under way at my parents house, Josh, Matt and my father decided to rip out some of the existing retainer wall. Our retainer wall is made out of railroad ties and they have been shifting and becoming more and more noticeable of the amount of shifting that is occurring. Removing some of the retaining wall would allow for a fence to be installed, enclosing a section of our backyard. After a solid day of work, our retainer wall became significantly smaller and our backyard was in the first stage of becoming something wonderful.

With our wedding and winter approaching our backyard project took a hiatus and a few weeks ago we picked up with the project only this time I was helping too! We purchased enough pavers to almost double our patio area and after a solid weekend of work we had a brand new patio to enjoy ((minus a few pavers which we needed a wet saw for)). The fence was installed next which really turned out nice and gives the backyard a whole new look.

Floppie and Ebony were so thrilled to be able to get outside and be free of us calling their names every 30 seconds. At first the fence did not keep Ebony from doing much, having those rabbit legs of hers, she just jumped up onto the retaining wall and managed to get out into the back area of the yard.  Ebony learned her lesson however, our neighbors have a German Shepard and it was left outside without checking to see if any other neighbor dogs were out and about and it came charging at Ebony. Josh and I think he was only wanting to play, but this scared Ebony to the point that she yelped and darted into the house to hide under the coffee table not wanting to come out, even with Josh calling her.

This past weekend we purchased a total of 40 shrubs, bushes and trees for our backyard. While we tried to work with the Murano and Prius to haul our new plant life, we gave in and rented a moving truck on Sunday to bring home the trees and 5 foot tall bushes. After two full days of strenuous labor, we have all the plants in the ground and are now watering them like crazy! Well lucky for us we’ve been blessed with the PA rain cloud ((ever notice it is always so rainy in PA)) so we haven’t needed to water much.

While we still have some things to do to complete our backyard ((painting of the fence, purchase a new shed, get grass to grow, put down fresh mulch)) Josh and I are in awe of how beautiful the backyard looks. Everyday one or both of us look out back and say to the other how great it looks and how we can’t wait to have a fire and cookout in our backyard.  An FYI on Ebony, she now stays in the fenced in area. So whether the German Shepard scared her into never going out to the back area again, or whether all the plants camouflaged her escape route, she has stayed in the fenced in area.

Matt thank you for your wisdom and ever so talented eye, without you this backyard renovation would have never happened. Thank you to everyone else who helped and lent a hand for your back breaking help enabled us to have a new backyard we can all enjoy!

Take a look at the pictures from our backyard project.