Progress

It's been a while since I've checked in with my 40 Before 40 progress, so get ready for a deluge of pictures of my yard.  Hahaha.  Number 16 on my list is to develop a new talent/skill this year, and landscaping is what I decided to try my hand out.  (Especially since list item number 19 is to work on the landscaping in our yard.) 

I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed learning all about landscaping and then putting it into action in order to bring my vision to life.  {Although -- spoiler alert -- I have a tendency to think REAL big and therefore I only have the budget to implement "Phase 1" this year.}  I did TONS of research, both online and the old-fashioned way with hard copy books checked out of the library, and by the time I started sketching out my dream, I felt like I was practically an expert.  Haha.  One thing I have discovered about myself is that I have a very specific aesthetic and I have no problem identifying what I don't like.  ;)

 (Here's a sneak peak at what I'm planning for the backyard next year.)

(I'm not kidding about the research -- I even made spreadsheets!)

(I found this handy planting pyramid guideline somewhere on Pinterest and thought it was super helpful in creating balance, variety, and texture to my design.  In a nutshell, the tippy top of the pyramid is what you have the fewest of, and as you move down the triangle you should have more and more as you go.  And since I'm sure you can't really decipher what's scribbled in my plans up there, here are the categories from top to bottom:  TREES * EVERGREEN SHRUBS * DECIDUOUS SHRUBS * PLANTS/FLOWERS/GRASSES * VINES/GROUNDCOVER * BULBS/HERBS/ANNUALS.  In full disclosure, I didn't get around to planting anything in the bottom category -- but I do intend to plant hundreds of bulbs this fall.  😉)

Alright!!!  Let's get started, shall we???  I had to dig through tons and tons of older pictures to try and find some "before" shots of the front yard, but I managed to find a few...

The most Before of the Befores.  Taken at the end of March 2018 during our house hunting trip out here during Spring Break.  It was gray/rainy almost the whole time we were here -- plus nothing was really blooming yet -- so it looks much more depressing than it probably was.  Haha.

Move in day!  End of May 2018.  There was lots of green all around, but the bushes in the front were all pretty shaggy and overgrown.

June 2018 -- This was the After of my pruning efforts on the hydrangea bushes and crape myrtle in front of the porch.  Unfortunately, I somehow always forget to take pictures BEFORE I actually start working some magic.

I think this must have been somewhere towards the end of June 2018, when we were prepping the garden for some day lilies and mulch.  To prep for this year's vision, I ripped out everything on this side of the garden bed except for the boxwood in the back and the hydrangea shrub.  And the stargazer lilies in front of them.

July 2018 -- our day lilies were planted and the crape myrtle was in bloom!  This was probably the best the yard looked last year.

Alright!  Now we're getting to the good stuff!!! April 2019 -- my favorites were purchased and waiting to be planted.  

The next few shots showcase what I added on to the existing landscaping:  I decided to wrap the bed around the side of the house and create some visual interest on what was a very blank and boring wall. 

There was so much sod to bust up and prep for planting.  It was back breaking enough that I've been seeing the chiropractor regularly as a result.  Hahaha.  #seriouslythough

So much ground to break.

And ta da!  End of April 2019. We finally got everything planted and mulched last weekend.  And I'm not going to lie -- I'm kind of in love.  Hahaha.  I told Scott the other day that I feel like every morning is Christmas and I can't wait to go outside and see what's starting to bloom!  

I saved close to a thousand dollars by foregoing the purchase of edging stones and instead using all the ones I dug up while tilling the ground and planting.  So you could say I was pretty proud of myself for that.  Hahahaha.

I can't wait to see the progression of blooms as the season goes on!

All the roses have already started to bloom, and one of the peony bushes has as well. 😍

 The Olivia Rose Austins in the front...

And the Golden Celebrations yellow roses have just started to bloom as well!

And there you have it!  My current progress on the yard and my 40 Before 40.  I'll have to devote another post to covering some of the other things I've been checking off the list.  ;)