Looking for weekend projects to transform your outdoor space? Consider these backyard transformation ideas including drought-tolerant landscaping, adding a pergola, and creating inviting seating areas for a stunning backyard makeover, even on a budget!
In 2019, the backyard was a blank slate of grass and a ficus tree. In 2022, a huge windstorm took out the ficus tree and part of the back fence. It was decided to fix it right away, but some thought was given to what was wanted for the backyard.
In February 2023, work began on transforming the backyard. The goal was to make the backyard drought tolerant and get rid of all the grass. It was too much work to try to keep grass alive all year long.
Some other goals were to:
- Make the backyard into an extra living space because there is good weather most of the year.
- Create a place where everyone could eat outside and hang out.
- Ensure proper drainage because there was no drain. French drains were installed, so all the water could drain away in winter when the majority of the rain comes.
It was also decided to take some time and do all the work to make the backyard exactly how it was wanted, save money, and consider it a therapy to work on the home and something fun that everyone could do together.
Drainage Solutions
A hole was dug, and the drain was placed along this concrete walkway. A sock drain was used and buried under the gravel so when it rains, all the water can drain away.
Adding a Pergola for Shade
A footing was put in for the pergola. It was stated that a proper footing was installed so a wood pergola could be built someday. One was ordered off of Wayfair. The goal was to get some shade because six to nine months out of the year, there is a lot of sun and some shade is needed.
Two trees were planted, but of course, it’s going to take a while before there is some shade from those trees. Shade was wanted right away, so the backyard could be used for eating and enjoying the outdoor space.
Two months into this project, tiles were starting to be laid where the pergola would go. It was just in time because spring was rolling in and the weather was getting really nice, switching from rainy and cold to very enjoyable. As soon as all of this was laid out, meals started to be enjoyed out here all the time.
The sand was screeded out, and of course, not everything goes as smoothly as it looks in a video. There was a week where time off had to be taken from working because a back was pulled. There was also a lot of rain in this time where work had to stop for quite a few days at a time, so that all added to this project taking longer, as well as living normal lives and working full-time jobs. This was all done on nights and weekends.
Addressing Design Regrets
Projects don’t always go as planned either. A little White Rock was a regrettable decision. It was something that just did not seem to go once it was put in, and also as everyone walked over it, it got kicked everywhere. A solution had to be come up with for this problem, which was solved later. The little white rock had to be vacuumed out, and something else was chosen.
The pergola was built, which was pretty simple. It did not take a lot of time, but all hands were needed on deck to hold it up at different points when it was being put together. The path from where the pergola would be to the rest of the yard was mapped out because grass was not wanted, and fake grass was also not wanted because that also has its own upkeep that was not desirable to deal with.
This structure took about an hour and a half to put together. It was very simple following the directions, and it really helps achieve what was wanted, which is just to give some shade, but the top can also be opened. So when it is raining or when it is cool out and there is no need to have the cover shut, it can be opened very easily. It’s been working great, is loved, and is such a great place to spend time enjoying family and hanging out.
Drought Tolerant Plants
Drought tolerant plants were purchased, and they were laid out where it was thought they should be along this fence line. The taller plants were put at the back so they can grow really big and block this fence. Then a lower plant that’s going to stay low was moved to a different location where it can be reused. All the plants that stay low to the ground but grow wide at the front were placed so this area would be completely covered with plants. A weed cloth is also being used underneath so that way there won’t be weeds coming through and hopefully it won’t have to be watered that often.
Most of these plants said one to two times a week watering, and it’s incredible how these filled in just by the end of this video. Certain areas were isolated, so it was decided to work on one side and get this completely done before moving on to the next section, so that sense of accomplishment could be felt and it could also be seen that this project was getting done.
Bark is being used here to cover the weed cloth, but the plants have completely taken over and filled in this area, which is exactly what was wanted. There was also an attempt to be very aware of drainage, so an area was dug down and filled with rock, so when it does rain, there will be a place for the water to be able to drain into.
Family Involvement
One of the best things about working outside on this backyard this year has just been getting everyone outside and working together, so whenever possible, there was an attempt to include the children in what was being done to not only teach them but also give them something to do and let them have fun in the process. One son loved getting involved in everything. He was helping to set out the Rocks, which would be the line for where the DG would go up to, and the bark would also meet. Concrete steps were poured in place. It was said that this would be the cheapest, easiest way to go, and it worked out wonderfully.
This is such a great path leading from the back door out into the yard and into that seating area where the pergola is. An orange-brown color was used to add to make this concrete step look more natural, and it looks beautiful mixed with the DG around it being the same color with the natural rock. It came out great and worked perfectly to pour it in place.
Furniture Selection
When picking out what furniture would be in the seating area, there was a little bit of a debacle where something was bought and brought home and it was so terrible that it was taken back. It was the worst quality for still a pretty high price, and that’s when the search began and this really high quality furniture from Costco was found. It could be told the moment anyone sat on it that it was going to last and it was going to stand up to the elements, so that was put together and that’s when hanging out out here was really able to start. There was a comfortable place to sit and a table was also brought out so meals could start to be enjoyed out here.
The decision of whether to get another table eventually has not been made yet, so it’s just being kept open for now.
Garden Beds
Work is being done on the three garden beds. These three garden beds were made a few years ago, and every spring some seeds are thrown in there, and everyone is always amazed at what grows. There is zucchini for months on end. There are also growing red bell peppers and there is some squash, carrots, and cilantro. Mint is growing, which can’t even be stopped from growing. It’s taken over, and every year something new is tried. There is some lettuce growing this year and there is cabbage. It’s just fun to see what can be grown.
Planting Trees
The trees that were planted are an orange tree, a lemon tree, and in the front, an avocado tree and a lime tree. The goal is to be able to grow as much food as possible just to help our carbon footprint, and also it’s really fun to watch things grow and get to make food from what’s been grown in the backyard.
As this project progressed over the last few months, the term “rock man” started to be used because so much Rock was being delivered, but a lot of the things that were already on this property were able to be used. So all these pavers were in the front yard and on the side yard when the property was moved into. So everything was gathered into one place to bring it together and make this path from things that were already had, which saved a lot of money because this would have cost quite a lot to get all of these pavers in different sizes and shapes.
Path Solutions
Some of the paths were fixed where some pavers had just been thrown down between the garden beds. There was no DG under them, just weeds. Something was just thrown down so it could be walked on and there didn’t have to be walking in mud. The time was taken to actually lay out a flat Foundation to put the pavers back down on so that way there won’t be as many weeds coming through and it’s also just a very straight path to walk on. People won’t be tripping on it like they were before.
An orange tree was planted. This was extremely hard to find because in the area there has been a disease on all of the orange trees, so they weren’t selling very many. Some dirt was moved out of the way and it was moved to the front yard where some other work is going to be done in the future. Research was done on the proper way to plant this orange tree with the right type of nutrients it needs and the right type of soil, so that was done. Even though it was cold and raining on this day, it was decided to get this orange tree in the ground before anyone could make any comments on it because the backyard was desired to be worked on as well.
Rock Glue
Onto the solution for the Rocks between the pavers. A ton of research was done on how to keep the Rock in place, and it’s a type of glue that holds rocks together, and if it’s done right, you should actually be able to power wash this without the Rocks coming out. The amount that was said to mix with The Rock was mixed, and then it was carefully poured in between the tiles. As time went on doing this project, it was found out that more of the glue was needed than they initially said was needed. So it was gone back over this again with the glue, and it’s been holding up really well. When this is walked over now, the Rocks don’t fly out at all.
A path to the tree was wanted, so when once it gets bigger, anyone can step up and be able to pick the oranges. The hope is to have a beautiful Tall Tree here that will give privacy from staring straight into the neighbor’s yard and also give some added shade and just some tall Greenery because right now everything is quite low in this yard, so some tall plants are wanted. An attempt was made to pick some plants that will grow with varying Heights, so lower ones and then bushes that will get quite tall.
It has been amazing to watch this backyard transformation happen. Chipping away at projects really does help you to accomplish a lot over time. Just doing a little bit at a time really makes the difference, and one thing can be done per day and by the end of the year, you’re going to have transformed your home or your backyard or your amount of clutter that is in your life. Not everything is perfect. An attempt is made to to make lives as enjoyable as possible. There’s going to be a lot of trial and error and learning from that, but also enjoying the process.
The final before of what the yard used to look like and where the yard is right now and how it has been transformed is great. All the plants have grown so far just from when they were first planted these a few months ago to now and the garden has taken off. Tons of food have been eaten from the garden. The tree is already getting bigger everything is starting to grow and fill in. Here’s an example of how the pergola opens it’s very easy to open and shut this so if shade is needed it is closed and if the sky is wanted to be seen it is opened at night.
In conclusion, transforming a backyard into a personal oasis can be achieved through simple yet impactful projects such as drought-tolerant landscaping, pergola installation, and creative use of existing materials, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the outdoor space.
