front yard: before and after

28 August 2009

Our front yard (like the rest of the house) was a mess when we moved in: pretty much no grass, huge overgrown trees, a gold storm door, and in need of lots of tlc.

First, we had the big, dying pine trees cut down:


Then, we dug up all of the dead grass, and then tried to level the dirt out as much as possible. (When I say we, I mean my husband. )
We also had sprinklers installed.

We planted Pennington (low water, sun-shade) fescue grass seed, and in a few weeks we had a lawn. We have also used some sod in the backyard that hasn't done as well. I would choose seed over sod any day~it's much less expensive as well. This is a year later after~he uses Scott fertiler 4-5 times a year and we water deeply 2 times a week.
For our front area, we just put down some heavy duty landscape fabric to keep weeds out $30
river rock $50
edged it with a bag of color stay mulch $4
added two trees from Walmart $9 X 2 = $18
a bush in the middle $5
two yellow lantana bushes $6 X 2 = $12
vinca flowers along the edge: $10 total (more on these here)
Total: $129
It's pretty much maintenance free~when we had the sprinklers installed, we had a drip put in this area.
The house already had this lovely aggregate border, but you could never really notice it with the big pine trees and dirt:

I was worried with my black thumb that my vincas wouldn't make it, but they held up beautifully in the Texas heat/wind/storms.

Tip of the day: This is a great time of year to take a look at what plants and flowers worked well through the summer in yards around your town. If it's still thriving in August/September, take note of it for when you plan your landscapes and gardens next spring. Do a drive by and take pictures (if you're brave!) or if they are outside, ask them about what they've done.

I'm excited for next week; we're going to talk about gifts we can make or makeover, start thinking about, or be on the lookout for now amidst our thrifting so things aren't so crazy come November and December. Each day I'll put a mr. linky up so you can link up if you've got some great ideas for the fabulous frugal gifts we're talking about that day.
On Friday, you can share any frugal gift idea your heart desires to share with us :)

Until then~have a great weekend!

32 comments

  1. Melissa, I love the Before and After shots here! What a difference. It sounds like hard work was the biggest factor, rather than spending a lot of money. :)

    I can't WAIT until next week...your series sounds right up my alley. We have even less to spend this year, but I love giving gifts, and I especially love Christmas. :)

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  2. What a transformation. Beautiful Yard

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  3. What a difference! Looks great!

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  4. Beautiful Melissa!! I love it, it looks so Awesome! The McLinky party sounds fun, can't wait!

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  5. Your yard is beautiful. Your (husband's)hard work is paying off. I can't believe that beautiful grass is in Texas. Great job.

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  6. Your yard looks great!! What would be your suggestion for painting a kitchen that has been wallpapered and the bottom layer of wallpaper is sticking to the sheetrock> uggg!!! Thanks!

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  7. Jane@decormamma.blogspot.com/8/28/09, 3:26 PM

    Your yard looks fabulous...what a great makeover!

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  8. Wow, it looks great... what a before and after!! I really like the look of the line of mulch beside the rock!

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  9. Your yard looks lovely. We just started tackling ours, I actually posted our first steps on my blog. I can't wait to read your new series, I will be taking notes!

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  10. The yard looks just lovely. I love the pretty lawn and the curved flowerbed area. What a welcoming and wonderfully appealing yard and curb appeal. Hugs, Marty

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  11. What a fabulous job you have done and for the price, my jaw dropped! Just beautiful :)

    Dena

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  12. Removing the old pines really made a difference. Good job.

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  13. It looks very nice! Have you considered using organic products instead of the Scotts chemical fertilizers? I don't like to use the chemicals since I have 3 kids running around.

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  14. Your lawn looks great and I can't wait for next week. I LOVE frugal gift giving!!

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  15. Wow! The change is amazing.

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  16. You yard looks great...we could use some help with our back yard here! Ha!

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  17. Vincas are the best! They will last all through the heat until if freezes. The yard looks great!

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  18. Vincas are wonderful for non green thumbers! That is the only flower I can keep alive and they grow huge if you use a little miracle grow. Also if you can resist pulling them out and just cut them back they will come back bigger and fuller after the winter. We planted them at our last home and I brought my hanging baskets with them to the new house.
    Love your yard!

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  19. I love Vinca!! You did an amazing job for that amount of $. Yard work is so expensive and LOTS of work. I know you are tired! Looks great!

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  20. Vincas LOVE the heat and they come in so many pretty colors.

    I have a new party starting- Wed Sept 2.
    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

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  21. It looks GREAT!! My husband would love yours -- he treasures our green lush lawn.
    I added you to my blogroll today, just wanted to let you know! :)

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  22. Another beautiful transformation here. You make it look so easy.

    We're in the middle of a project at our house, it isn't going so well. So, I like to come here and dream.

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  23. Wow! You rock! (No pun intended!)

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  24. Your yard looks fantastic! I live in SCon the coast, so I know about those hot summers you are referring to. We have not had a lot of luck growing grass. We don't water enough and our dirt is almost straight sand. I'm gonna try that seed you recommended. Thanks for the tip!

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  25. Can you come over and see if you have any suggestions. I am having problems with my follower section and I need advice.
    Thanks Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

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  26. Hi Melissa
    Thanks for a great post. I am very new to this and need your advice about using the Colorcharts from your painting post. It will not work for me. Any tips.
    Thanks
    Kathy

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  27. P.S. kscordo@sbcglobal.net for the colorcharts info. Thanks much!

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  28. * KUDOS and CONGRATS!!!! It looks FAAAABULOUS!!! W*H*A*T a DIFFERENCE!!!~ You should be sooo proud!!!

    Warmly,
    Linda in AZ *

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  29. Hey Melissa! Here is the post abt my vincas that I promised! They are a very hearty flower!! Hope your week is going well!
    http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/2009/08/monday-and-vincas.html

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  30. The "after" looks so neat and tidy. Nice curb appeal!

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  31. What a difference! Looks great! :D

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