Before and After: Cobble Hill Backyard

This backyard project was our last major install of 2015. We had to do a huge removal of the existing jungle of invasive vines, weeds and other debris. We uncovered things we didn't know existed going into it, including a huge rock wall along the back of the yard. We turned our find into something awesome by building a custom cedar planter on top. 

There was an existing patio area which was cleared, dug up, and redone. A sod lawn was added to the center area for a play area. We reused as much of the existing bluestone material and healthy perennials and shrubs as we could. Many new perennials and shrubs were added. The resulting yard was beautiful! We can't wait to see how much everything grows in next season!

BEFORE  

Original bluestone layout

Creeping invasive vines covered all of the fences, trees near the fences, and up a telephone wire.

We uncovered an awesome Curly Willow tree under all the vines to the right in the photo. Now that the vines aren't stealing all it's sun it can flourish!

Under the back wall of weeds and vines, we found an unexpected 3 foot tall rock wall and a huge stump from a tree that had been cut down.

There were some existing plants in the yard that we kept and moved around, such as the three Nandina shrubs in the bottom left of this photo. 

DURING

Weeds and vines removed! Our blank slate

Sawzall action

Stump removal!

The start of the patio! We had to move all of the existing stone(not an easy feat), and then level the area.

After layers of sand and aggregate were laid and leveled, we could bring back the bluestone.

Fitting the puzzle together

After everything was fit together and leveled out, we filled the cracks with a permeable yet strong aggregate. 

Once the aggregate is wet it hardens into place. No need to constantly sweep away pebbles or sand. 

After laying the sod, the yard started to actually look like a yard again. Check out our other blog post about laying sod. 

This is the custom cedar planter built right onto the rock wall.

AFTER

Everything planted and cleaned up! Everything is in it's infancy at planting. 

The Andromeda shrubs along the fence are evergreen and will grow much bigger. It also has beautiful flowers in the springtime. 

The perennials will grow larger and spread more each year. There are long blooming plants so there will be flowers all season. The foxglove was still flowering when we planted it in October.

Colin and Dana admiring all of our hard work.

The anemones were blooming when we came back in November!

Before and After: Bed-Stuy Backyard

I might have to say this was the most labor intense and awesome backyard we have done so far. This one is an extreme before and after! We have done some hardscaping before but this was our first huge hardscaping project and I'd say it turned out beautifully. The clients wanted their downstairs neighbor to have their own backyard space so the yard was sectioned to give each their own space. They are all very excited about their new backyard garden.

BEFORE:

DURING:

The new fence! The front part is what separates the downstairs tenants space.

The bluestone delivery! Holy cow.

Oi. That's a lot of huge heavy rock. No problem. We got this.

Bringing in and fitting together the puzzle of stone

Permeable aggregate for optimal rainwater absorption added between the irregular bluestone

Stone in front laid

We had to level and clear the back. Colin and Vladimir find a huge boulder! 

Stone in the back laid! The far back square is aggregate that will be covered with artificial turf lawn which remains green all year - zero maintenance, and a permeable surface for rainwater absorption

Planting! We chose a mostly native plant palette with evergreen shrubs around the existing mature Magnolia soulangeana.

Laying the artificial turf. Colin is fabulous. 

AFTER:

TA- DA! 

Dana posing after our hard work!

Kat admiring and Colin relaxing.