Backyard Update

Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

You know one key ingredient that it takes in any project a homeowner does, that they never tell you about is?

Patience. Which I never have unless I'm unconscious.




If I had to say percentage wise how far done this backyard makeover is, I would say 80%.

That loud bang you just heard was Greg's jaw hitting the floor. He thinks we're done. After being with me for almost 20 years, he should know I am never done.

Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

I might say done for this year as far as large purchases. So far in the past 3 weeks I have purchased; 

1 - twelve foot tall weeping atlas cedar, outdoor dining table with 6 chairs, another 20 bags of mulch, 2 Purple Leaf Plum Trees, 3 coreopsis, another large hydrangea shrub.

Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

 And it's not even Fall yet, so the great spirits only know what trouble I will get into buying fall color! Oh! plus we went halfsies on a brand new riding lawn mower for my niece. Greg thought since she is a single parent with a new baby, a new mower would be a huge help to her, so she can cut her 3/4 acre property quickly.

Plus Costco is coming out with their bulbs again so I have two bags full of those to plant too.


Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.








Not even mentioning the plants that have been in pots since early Spring, so they need to get into the ground to survive winter.


Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

I think I need to have a party with alcohol first. and a nap!


Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

The River Birch I planted last year is growing fast, just as the tag depicted. I think it's put on at least 12" this season.


Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

The table and chairs I got from Overstock.com. I have been browsing their tables for 3 weeks and finally just picked this one. I thought it was a nice price with a good combo of wicker, wood and metal.

Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.


Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

The weeping cedar is truly my favorite this year! I not only paid for delivery, I am glad I did. This bad boy was definitely about 200 lbs and it's going to provide a stunning view when the snow starts flying and everything else has died back.

The tag says it's a zone 5 (my area) and will grow 15" a year. It should get 25 feet tall and only 12 feet wide. So we used a tape measure and after a long deliberation found a nice spot for it. 

Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.






Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

A couple of the hydrangeas are starting to show some fall pink color. Even though the front yard oak leaf hydrangeas have already turned their fall color. I'll try and snap some photos tomorrow when I'm watering.


Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.



Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

 I may have to move the Honeysuckle in a couple of years but time will tell.


Creating a backyard patio on a budget with a high priced view.

That's it for the backyard so far. I think we need a party now, what do you think?







Christine Graves @www.Rustic-refined.com