Front Yard Makeover

We have been unhappy with the way our front yard looks pretty much since the day we moved into our house a year ago (yikes! has it really been a year already?).  The two big trees in the front shade the yard and make it impossible for the grass to grow.  The result...

So, we decided to take advantage of an incentive offered by our water company called the "Water Saver Landscape Coupon".  The basic idea is that for every 200 square feet of lawn you remove, the water company will give you a $100 certificate good toward the purchase of select water-friendly plants.  We applied for two coupons and went to work.

First, we added terracing to help break up the future mulch-expanse and to help tame the steep slopes.  Then, we added metal edging to help contain the mulch.

Next, we applied Round-Up to everything inside the edging and went on vacation to Boston while we waited for everything to die.  When we returned, we went plant shopping.

After much deliberation on the final layout (Roxie is always so helpful), we planted like crazy.  Then, we mulched, mulched, and mulched some more.

All-in-all, we are very happy with the results.  So much better than the ugly, dead grass!  Even if the plants are tiny for now.