boogaj: Backyard Overhaul

So the tree removal was just step one in a major backyard overhaul. After last fall and our big indoor remodeling project, I thought it would be a while before we started on something else, but our house had a different idea. This Spring when the rains came water started coming into the basement. Seeing little rivers on the basement floor freaked me out a bit and led to the next project.

No surprise here, one place where water was entering the basement was below this broken up sidewalk. Which will be ripped out and replaced with pavers.

Quite a bit of water collects against the foundation here because the sidewalk has really dropped, as you can see in this photo.

There is a lot of concrete in this backyard -- a lot -- which is one reason this will be such a major project. This is the patio -- which will be replaced with pavers and in the background you can see the collapsed wall.

Water is a major problem here again where two major drainpipes come together. The water collapsed a retaining wall here which will be replaced.

Did I mention concrete? Here is a big uneven and stained area smack dab in the middle of the yard which will be removed and replaced with a stepping stone walkway to the back gate and a raised bed made of cedar for my vegetable garden. (yeah!)

There is an stained & broken fence that separates the driveway from the backyard which will be removed. This will give the big, old lilacs more light which should help them to fill out and be a natural screen.

And we can't forget the ancient, cracked, half filled in koi pond which now holds broken branches and weeds. It will be partially removed and filled in with dirt.

And since we'll already have the work crew here, I'm having them remove this yew and the broken mailbox and flag pole which will have to be replaced.

Whew!

Not everything in the backyard is a loss though. My flower garden, which I see from the window in the kitchen, is looking quite nice! We planted it a few years ago after moving to this house and it has finally filled out. In fact, I think this fall will see us splitting some of the perennials and moving them to other parts of the yard.

Next week is going to be noisy, dusty and crazy around here, but I know it will be worth it in the end.