When we started out the summer, I wrote myself a list on our chalkboard wall of projects for the yard, garden, outdoors, etc… I tagged it #yardworkation because, in my mind, it meant we’d be spending most of our weekends working outdoors, rather than having all that other kind of fun people have in the summer. Ugh, right?
Anyhow, the 4th of July has come and gone. Summer is about halfway over, and we have successfully completed about half of the work on our project list.
I had some help. Thank goodness. And I promise I won’t show you every stage of success. Just a few highlights.
But, oh, how it feels good to say:
- Small veggie garden planted – check.
- Herb garden potted – check.
- New grill – check (our old grill caught on fire..)
- Tent gazebo up – check (it is literally almost taller than our house!)
- Small mailbox garden bed dug, planted and mulched – check (Never dug a garden bed before=Not easy to do by hand!)
- Larger flower bed dug by hand – check (My son did most of the work. A “garden spade” is the best tool to use if one is digging a garden bed by hand. I now own two of these specialty shovels.)
BEFORE
Front yard at the beginning of the summer. (Notice the barrel planter?)
AFTER
Front yard after adding the beginnings of a mailbox garden.
Look at the barrel planter now. It’s the same amount of plants after several weeks of watering.
If you’d like to plant flowers in a large planter, try this tip to save money on soil and keep the planter from getting too heavy.
Front yard after digging the flower bed.
Our very large, tent gazebo. And awnings that are begging for a fresh coat of paint.
Our progress looks much better on paper, or shall I say chalkboard, but knowing that we’re half way through it, even if it doesn’t look like much, is a morale booster.
I was overwhelmed a few weeks ago. The thought of ever painting those awnings seemed so far from reach. Yet, I’ve narrowed down the paint choices to two colors. I’ve even purchased paint samples for the final test.
Do you think I can get it done by the end of summer?
Does it help you to work off a list?
Anne@DesignDreams says
Sounds like you’re off to a great start!
chris aka monkey says
i had one thing on my lazy persons list, finish painting that freaking never ending wall anddddd i did happy happy joy joy, your yard is looking good amy, i used to love yard work even in the heat of florida but not any more lol after mowing our acre for six weeks while son in law worked nights i didn’t even plant a petunia lol xx and i love that barrel planter xx