Since we weren’t able to get a reservation at Lake Tahoe for the 4th of July, we decided to head to Tacoma, WA earlier than planned. We surprised Barry’s mom when we called on July 3rd and said we were at the Lakewood Elks! Arlie was “tickled pink”.
We were going to help Arlie out by trimming the plants in her backyard and getting things set up for her annual BBQ, but when we saw how some plants had grown into each other and had a lot of holly and blackberry vines (1-inch+ in diameter) all through them, we felt we needed to do a lot more. Mom asked us to take out a few plants that she didn’t like and also some holly that she saw. When we pointed out blackberry vines, she definitely wanted them out along with any additional holly.
Beginning on July 4th, Barry and I worked non-stop each day for 13 days. Between the two of us we work 107 hours, and boy did we feel it! It’s a good thing we limited ourselves to 4-5 hours. We packed full 11 large yard waste containers! The palm pad on both my hands were very tender and swollen from the intense and non-stop clipping/pruning, pulling, etc. Thank goodness for our CBD tincture and our CBD cream!
We started by the entrance gate and walkway since it had various plants growing out over the the pavement making it difficult to walk through or open the gate completely.
I’m pretty sure the area along Arlie’s garage and under the pear tree ended up cleared out more than she wanted, but it was necessary in order to get all the unwanted plants, holly and blackberry vines out. It was incredible how the blackberry vines weave themselves into everything. So much of the holly and blackberry vines weren’t visible till we began removing and cutting things back.
Wooden bench updated with a cleaning, fresh opaque stain (Napa Wine), and placement changed from under the cherry tree to under the pear tree.
Driveway – more room to park and get out of a vehicle. More parking room for the BBQ, too! (We also trimmed the rhododendron that was growing out over the left side of the driveway.)
The large white flowering plant that was up against the garage window was another one that Arlie wanted completely out because it kept activating the nearby camera whenever there was a slight breeze. We offered to trim it, but she said, “No, I want the whole thing out.”
I began trimming the really dense plant in the middle. Cutting it back to the landscaping edge meant removing much of the green that unfortunately grows so far out. Soon I realized this bush was so dense because it had 3 separate sections to it with two of them coming up way to close to the brick edging. No wonder it was always growing out over the little path! Barry and I agreed that those two sections needed to go, so the main part could fill out, and only need minimal trimming each year. We showed it to Arlie and explained that it wouldn’t be pretty and lush looking for a while, till the main section recovers.
Back door area: We removed the large unwanted plant, and thinned out the number of pots in this featured potted plant space. We power-washed the steps and the pots we selected for this specific area. We put “Napa Wine” opaque stain on the steps, and used metallic spray paint on the 7 selected pots.
House to Patio area:
After:
Side yard:
OUCH! Both of Barry’s arms paid the price getting all those blackberry vines out of this area!
Backyard “panoramic” AFTER pictures:
Deck area:
FRONT Yard: We weren’t aware of the amount of overgrowth onto the sidewalk and front walkway till we got started. The front yard also ended up taking a lot more time than we first thought.
Hard at work:
AFTER pictures: The rock “wall” was uncovered as well as the sidewalk edge, and of course all weeds are gone (for now).
Against the house on the front left was a bush that was pretty on its own, but it totally took over the roses. There was also a tree growing up through it all!
Thank you, Tim for advising to cut the aggressive bush way back and remove whatever tree was also growing up through it all! We freed the roses. The roses may need a trellis or arch of some sort for it to climb up. We’ll let someone else do that. The roses should really shine as a focal point next spring!
Front Right Side & Around the Corner – BEFORE Pics
AFTER:
Street-side Along the Backyard:
Overall – More curb appeal?? It was nice to have some neighbors walking and driving by pause to say how nice it was looking! (I think a couple were wondering if it was going on the market soon. LOL)
While we didn’t initially plan to go so in depth, it has been so worth it. It feels good to be here, and her yard even appears bigger.
Time here in Tacoma has also enabled us to spend more time with Barry’s sister, Debbie, and her husband Jack. We celebrated Jack’s 71st birthday several times at various restaurants, and went to hear him play with at the AmVets. I didn’t realize Jack could sing!
The BBQ will take place on July 22, and will be a separate blog entry. 🙂
You did a great job 👍
Thank you! Missed you at the BBQ.
Loved seeing the transformation. You two did an amazing job.
Thank you!