Want to achieve a jaw-dropping backyard transformation on a budget? Learn how to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space with these simple DIY steps.
From Blank Slate to Dream Backyard
The house I moved into, and the backyard, was a blank slate of grass and a ficus tree. Also A huge windstorm took out the ficus tree and part of the back fence, so it was decided to fix it right away. Thought was given to what to do with this backyard, so in February 2023, work began on transforming the backyard. Living in Southern California, the goal was for the backyard to be drought-tolerant and to get rid of all the grass. It was simply too much work to try to keep grass alive all year long.
Defining the Goals for the Backyard Transformation
Some other goals were to make the backyard into an extra living space because the weather is good most of the year. The aim was for this to be a place to eat outside and hang out. It was also important to ensure drainage, as there isn’t any drain out here. Therefore, the decision was made to make some French drains so all the water could drain away in winter when the majority of the rain occurs. The decision was also made to take time and do all the work.
DIY Approach to Save Money
Doing the work made it possible to make the backyard exactly how it was envisioned, but also to save money. This was also considered a form of therapy—working on the home and something fun to do together.
Installing the Drainage System
Here, a hole has been dug, and the drain will be placed along this concrete walkway. A sock drain was used; it was buried under the gravel so when it rains, all the water can drain away. Now, a footing is being put in for the pergola that was ordered.
Building a Pergola for Shade
A proper footing was installed, allowing for building a wood pergola someday, but one was ordered off of Wayfair. It was very affordable. The goal was to get some shade out here because six or maybe nine months out of the year, there’s a lot of sun, and some shade is needed. As the project progresses, two trees were planted, but it will take a while before shade can be obtained from those trees. Shade was desired right away so the backyard could be used.
Tile Installation and Project Delays
Two months into this project, tiles were finally being laid where the pergola would be placed, and 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 this was all laid out, dining out here became a regular occurrence. The sand is being screeded out. Of course, not everything goes as smoothly as it looks. There was a week where work had to stop because of a pulled back. There was also a lot of rain during this time, causing work to stop for quite a few days at a time. This all added to the project taking longer, as well as living normal lives and working full-time jobs. Projects don’t always go as planned either.
Addressing Design Regrets
This little White Rock was a regrettable decision. It just did not seem to go once it was put in, and as it was walked over, it got kicked everywhere. A solution for this problem had to be created, which was solved later. That little white rock had to be vacuumed out, and something else was chosen.
Assembling the Pergola
Now, the pergola is being built, which was pretty simple; it did not take a lot of time, but all hands were needed to hold it up at different points when it was being put together. The path was also mapped out from where the pergola would be to the rest of the yard.
Designing a Grass-Free Landscape
Again, it was decided that no grass was wanted, and fake grass was also undesirable because that also has its own upkeep that was undesirable 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 helped achieve what was desired, which is to give some shade, but the top can also be opened, so when it is raining or when it is cool out and the cover isn’t needed shut, it can be opened very easily. It’s been used for about four months now, and it’s really working great. It’s a great place to spend time, enjoy family, and hang out because, in Southern California, it can get extremely hot.
Planting Drought-Tolerant Plants
Drought-tolerant plants were purchased, and they are being laid out where it seems 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 here, and then that lower plant that’s going to stay low will be moved to a different location where it can be reused. Then, all the plants that stay low to the ground but grow wide are being placed at the front so this can be covered with plants completely, and 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.
Certain areas were isolated to start. The decision was made to work on this one side, get this completely done before moving on to the next section, so a sense of accomplishment could be felt and also to see that this project was getting done.
Covering the Ground with Bark
Bark is being used here to cover the weed cloth, but these plants have completely taken over and filled in this area, which is exactly what was wanted. An effort is being made to be very aware of drainage, so an area has been dug down, and it’s being filled with rock, so when it does rain, there will be a place for the water to drain into. One of the best things about working outside on this backyard this year has just been getting everyone outside and working together. Whenever possible, the children were included 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.
Building Concrete Steps
Concrete steps are being poured in place. 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. 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.
Choosing Outdoor Furniture
When picking out what furniture would be had in the seating area, there was a little bit of a debacle where furniture 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. That’s when the search began and really high-quality furniture was found. It was about the same price, but this furniture was way better. You could tell the moment you sat on it that it was going to last and it was going to stand up to the elements, so that was put together.
That’s when it was really possible to start hanging out out here. There was a comfortable place to sit, and the table was brought out so meals could start being had out here. It’s not known if another table will be obtained eventually, so it’s just being kept open for now.
Cultivating Garden Beds
Now, work is being done on the three garden beds that are there. These three garden beds were made a few years ago, and every spring, some seeds are thrown in there, and there’s always amazement at what grows. There’s zucchini for months on end. Red bell peppers are also being grown, and there’s some squash, carrots, and cilantro. There’s some lettuce growing this year, and there’s cabbage. It’s just fun to see what can be grown, and that is one of the goals over the next few years: to grow more of our own food, and living in Southern California, it is thought that we can actually grow a lot more year-round. More research needs to be done on that and looked into, but that is one of the major goals coming up here: to grow more of our own food.
Planting Fruit 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 our own backyard. All these pavers were in the front yard and on the side yard when it was moved in here, so everything was gathered into one place to bring it together and make this path from things that were already there, 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. Of course, as is always mentioned, nothing is permanent; if a decision is made to change everything someday, that is possible, but there’s a pretty good idea that the yard is wanted to be very structured and just set up, so over time, different things can be planted and things can be changed out but have the general setup.
Improving Garden Paths
Some of the paths that pavers had just been thrown down between the garden beds were fixed. There wasn’t even any DG under them, just weeds. There was just something thrown down so it could be walked on and mud didn’t have to be walked in. It was suggested to pull that up, let’s do it right. So, time was taken to actually lay out a flat foundation to put the pavers back down on, so that way there aren’t 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.
Planting an Orange Tree
Then, it was decided to plant an orange tree. 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. It was found, so some dirt is being moved out of the way, and it’s being moved to the front yard where some other work will be done in the future. A large hole was dug. All the 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’s being done here, and even though it was cold and raining on this day, it was decided to get this orange tree in the ground.
Securing Rocks with Glue
Now, onto the solution for the Rocks between the pavers: easy hold. 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 be mixed with The Rock is being mixed, and then it’s carefully being poured in between the tiles. It was found out as time went on doing this project that more of the glue was needed than was initially said would be needed, so this was gone back over 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; it’s holding up. It may be gone over again with another coat of the glue just to make sure it’s really set in there, but that looks way more natural and is working so much better than that White Rock that was getting kicked all over the place.
Creating a Succulent Garden
At this point, work has been being done on the yard for four months in spare time, of course, on weekends and nights, but finally, work is getting around to this section that is surrounding the orange tree. The goal here is just to put succulents and drought-tolerant plants to make this look very beautiful but also self-sufficient, where a lot doesn’t have to be done over time here. Plants weren’t wanted where they would have to be planted every single year; just something that’s going to fill in and be a one-and-done for a long time. A path to the tree was wanted, so once it gets bigger, it can be stepped up to 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, and that’s another thing that was done: some plants were tried to pick that will grow with varying Heights, so lower ones and then bushes that will get quite tall, and that flax is going to get really really big. There will be some varying Heights as time goes on.
Reflecting on the Transformation
It has been amazing to watch this backyard transformation happen. Chipping away at projects really does help to accomplish a lot over time.
Not everything is perfect. The goal is to make our home and our lives as enjoyable as possible, but the idea of perfection is not going to get in the way. There will be a lot of trial and error and learning from that, but also enjoying the process.
It was decided it would be so fun to add an archway over the path, and that’s being put together here. There will definitely be projects showing the other things that are going to be accomplished in this yard, like finishing this Archway. There will be a plant growing over it. There’s also the whole other side of the house where there’s a plan to do something with that area; right now, it is just a whole bunch of dead grass that is wanted to be gotten rid of, and there’s an air conditioning unit back here that is wanted to be covered, but one step at a time.
Final Thoughts
Here we go with the final before of what our yard used to look like and where we are right now with this yard and how we have transformed it. The plants have grown so far just from when these were first planted a few months ago to now, and the garden has taken off. Tons of food has 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 there’s a need to have shade, it’s closed, and if the sky is wanted to be seen, it’s opened at night. It is exciting to watch everything fill in and grow, watch these trees get big and add shade to our backyard, and overall just watch everything develop over time and see where this yard will be in a year or two.
