Reimagining the front yard
Starting June 1st.

Click image for enlargement.
In an attempt to join the current fad, and reduce water use before the city water utility bills us out of existence, we are starting the process of converting the front yard lawn to something less thirsty.
There is also the problem of the cherry tree (to the left) whose root system is working its way above the surface, making mowing harder each year.
You have never lived till you have a mower blade hit a cherry root!


(31:05:2024)

On the other hand, the cherry tree keeps the area cool, and we use less water keeping the grass greenish than the rest of the neighbourhood. In our case we stay green, they turn brown. In 2023 the front yard was watered twice all summer. The flower beds are watered separately and get an automated drink 3 times a week for about 20 minutes each.

(31:05:2024)
The area of the first remake! Starting at the left corner of the picture, looping around the right hand side of the cherry and back in to just behind the silver Dusty Miller at the top center.
Check the popup version.

(31:05:2024)
Cutting out the sod before digging begins.

(31:05:2024)
Next to the cherry tree the sod has to be removed by hand to save the roots.

(31:05:2024)
Done for the day!

We can't get the garden dirt today as the source is closed!

The area has been tilled (where it can be) and any grass roots that were turned up were removed by hand.

(31:05:2024)
The edging is put in to keep the grass out of the area.

(31:05:2024)
Part One is now done!


(03:06:2024)
The difference in colour is because the area around the cherry tree is black compost, and the rest is a compost/sand/soil mix called triple garden mix!


(03:06:2024)
Phase two will be to remove the grass closer to the street. But that is likely 'next year work'!

(31:05:2024)
This area will likely be a bit smaller, and less expensive (We hope).
We will have to leave a path from the sidewalk across the flower bed to the street because the school/bus kids use it as a path.

(The popups have lines showing where the edges should be when done!)

(31:05:2024)
Grass will be removed all the way over to the property line and about halfway back to the house.

(31:05:2024)
Phase three will be to do the edge next to the house. Removing most of the grass, but leaving a strip along the house a hardere surface for access to the backyard.

(31:05:2024)
Most of the grass on the left side will go, leaving a grass pathway down the right side.

(31:05:2024)
The tree on the left is on the property line and will be the edge of the change. The compost will ring back, under and along the flower beds till it meets the end of phase two.

(31:05:2024)
Time lapse movie of the make over.

Pictures taken every two minutes as work progressed

(31:05:2024)
Monday morning, the crew returns to add the soil and compost we couldn't get on Saturday.

Pictures taken every two minutes as work progressed

(03:06:2024)
Click the Home button below to return to the main button menu.