Ryan and I truly hate to mulch. But yet, every year, we forget how much we hate it and add more areas to mulch.
I cannot tell you why we do this. Actually, I can. It’s because we hate mowing, too. Not yard work fans up in here.
This year, I insisted upon mulching everything the week before Henry’s party. Because clearly people care if the mulch looks good when they come to a one-year-old’s party.
Well, let’s just say that mulching this year was a nightmare. We thought we could get away with 30 bags of mulch. 72 bags of mulch later, we were done. And both of us were pretty sore and irritated.
But the yard looks nice. And I think the front looks pretty inviting.
Ooh, and there’s my fancy new rain barrel. This was my birthday gift from Ryan and it’s so stinkin’ pretty.
If we could ever get grass to grow, the side yard would look pretty awesome, too.
My plan was to also paint the back porch after laying mulch. Yeah. Let’s just say that wasn’t going to happen. So, we’ll just have to live with this ugliness for a little while longer.
The biggest change to the yard was adding a mulched sitting area where the vegetable garden was in the past. This area always looked terrible and it didn’t get enough sun to do well. So, since we don’t have the space for a deck, I thought this would be a great area to relax and wind down.
Because the fence is ugly and we’re so close to the house next door, we planted native grasses (that we got from Craigslist) and black-eyed Susans (from my in-laws’ yard). Once they get bigger, it’ll provide a little more privacy. The grasses are already taking off.
I also added these two Adirondack chairs (received from my in-laws). You guys, these chairs are the most comfortable in the world. Someday, I may sand and repaint them. Until then, they are still comfortable.
We did not intend to get black mulch. It looks okay now, but it will look terrible in about a month and trees start dropping more junk off them. But, bah. By the time we realized it was black, we were not taking it back.
I also wouldn’t use black mulch again because the dye on the mulch MAY get on your dogs’ paws. Which would mean that said dogs would come into your house and get the black dye all over the sofa. Hypothetically.
So that’s our mulching adventure. And by adventure, I mean, not so much of an adventure. Or a really terrible adventure.
Have you been working your yard lately?
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what is the best time to get a woman pregnant says
Now I am ready to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming over again to read further news.
Heart and Haven says
The past few days, we did a huge backyard make-over at our rental property. Roto-tilled the backyard, raked out the old grass and weeds, leveled the yard, spread 3 cubic yards of compost, installed 700 sq ft. of sod, planted a plum tree, and built a raised garden bed. New tenants are lucky! Our backyard in S. Cali is on a postage-stamp sized yard. (perhaps I’ll just move to Portland and live here instead! lol)
This week, I’ll be getting 2 cubic yards of mulch to put around the perimeter of the house, and 1/2 cubic yard of compost to fill the raised garden bed.
Erin @ His & Hers says
72 bags!? Ew. I have never mulched anything in my life even though our sorry excuse of a garden would definitely benefit from it. I love your red doors against the gray siding!
Amy says
For not being yard work people, you sure do have one beautiful yard! I love the red, especially. Makes me want more red in my life.
Hope the party goes splendidly!!
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
We have tons of mulching to do, and reading this post simultaneously makes me want to not do it (because it is a bad adventure) and really want to do it (because it looks so good!). I know we will end up needing 400 bags of it or something too. π
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
Oh no…72 bags?! And I hope your sofa isn’t full of footprints. On the upside it looks great!
Mandi McClure says
Your mulch looks great, but totally get you. It is such a pain but it looks so good. We have been getting ours buy the truck load for the last few years. This year being no exception. The bad thing is, when it came, rain was in the forecast so we had to cover it for 2 weeks until we could get to it. Last week I decided on my mid week day off I would tackle it. Tristan was excited because he wanted to help. No problem kid, the more the merrier. Except when he wanted to ride in the empty wheelbarrow back to the pile EVERY TIME. We still have a little left to do and it’s getting done this weekend. When the kid is away with the grandparents for the day, π
Katie @ PPS says
This post made me laugh, because it sounds like me and my husband!! 72 bags of mulch?! Wow. And buying the “wrong” color is SO something we would do. π The black does look great though!!
claire says
ha, mulch really does suck. but it looks so so good afterwards! (for a while at least!) glad you all were able to get it done, it certainly makes everything look so crisp and fresh!
Amber @ Wills Casa says
Yikes 72 bags! Kim, you need a break! I know how crazy things get trying to prep the house for a birthday party though…like irrationally crazy! It’s okay though because you have a blog so technically it’s all legitimate work. (This is what I tell Nick even though we didn’t have a blog for the first 2 of Ramona’s birthdays.)
Emily @ imperfect says
Mulch makes me so cranky! And out here it’s expensive! Our new house has rock, not mulch and I’m pumped. Though I’m sure you have to replenish that, too. Blah.
But anyway, it does look great. I hate doing it, but it looks so good.
michelle@decorandthedog says
Mulch is lame. I’m excited to eye it though.
And run through it with the dogs and jump on your couch.
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House Blog says
it looks really good! and at least you HAVE grass so don’t complain that it isn’t growing π We can’t wait to have grass even if it comes up patchy!!!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
So. Many. Bags. We never even deal with bags of mulch because we need way too much. We get it delivered by the yard in a truck. Then we just pitchfork it into wheelbarrows and take it where it needs to go. That might be an option for you guys in the future!
And after all that hard work, it looks absolutely beautiful! π
Amanda says
Seriously, I’m loving that rain barrel. It is so pretty!!! And your yard looks about 1000 times better than ours (and I bet you didn’t even find a tire iron!).
Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog says
Your house is so cute.
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
We need to mulch. And like you I also want to mulch before we host our next party, because everyone will definitely be looking at and judging my mulch.
daisy says
Sorry, but I love spreading mulch. Guess I just enjoy the hard work. We get ours by the yard, as we have a small pick-up. Easier and cheaper. Uh, in case y’all didn’t know, you can hire that out…Might be worth it to ya.
Everything looks fantastic! Love all the planting areas and I have serious hosta envy. Never seen black mulch. But as long as it’s not cypress, that’s a good thing.
Maybe you should grow a native groundcover in that area on the side that won’t support grass? It would be easier and save you mowing time too.
Y’all did an amazing job!
Amanda S. says
I have to claim ignorance with mulch…. we don’t really have any use for it here in our yard, so we’ve never used it. It looks really nice though… but 72 bags? OUCH. That just sounds like hard work… and dirty puppy paws on your white couch? You definitely have my sympathy and admiration all at once!! For what it’s worth, looks beautiful!! And I love your seating area π
LizzieBeth says
Do you decided to do a huge, time-consuming project right be for a big event like we do? the week before Hunter’s christening, it was painting our huge kitchen and mudroom; three days before his birthday it was refinishing the buffet and now a week and a half before I host family members for my Uncle’s memorial, we are thinking about busting out all the drywall and closet in the guest room.
Is it procrastination? Nah. We just… “work well under pressure”.
Anywho ha, I love love love the front yard! Did you guys stain the concrete on the front porch? I have been toying with the idea.
PS… a little birdie told me you will be in the area in August. My calendar has been marked. Warning: I’m a hugger.
LB
jen@homeinthecountry says
In the midst of my mulch-hating, I forgot to mention how fabulous yours looks. For as miserable a task as it is, it really cleans things up nicely! The pics from Henry’s bday party will be fab and totally worth the hassle.
PS how is he a year already!?!
jen@homeinthecountry says
Mulch is the worst. After working with my mom for 3 days and by myself on another day, I’m like 95% done with the side/back garden. My back is close to giving up on me altogether, I think. Also, highly considering setting fire to the garden and planting grass so I never have to mulch again.
We shredded our mulch last spring to use this summer (we let it sit for a year before using it), so at least I’m not paying for it… financially. π
Do you have enough area to warrant mulch delivery? I think we got about 7 yards last summer for a little under $200 including delivery, so it may not be too pricey to buy in bulk?
Good thing those pugs are so tiny and cute or you’d prob be more mad at them. Same with Henry… I’m sure he’ll be bringing in his fair share of mulch/mud/mess once he’s a little bigger… π
Katrina says
Looking good! I love mulch, but always get annoyed with it when fall comes around ugh leaves lol π
Q: Almost every home in California people have 6ft wood ‘privacy’ fences, I was wondering if a chain link / open fence is the norm in the Midwest or do ppl have wood fences too…..it seems like in the South backyards just ‘roll together’
Ash @ HumberHomeProject says
We’ve been avoiding dealing with mulch. Luckily all of our non-grassy areas are overrun with Hostas, so no would see the mulch anyways π
It does look really nice though, I love the idea of the mulch sitting area. Might have to steal that idea until we can afford to put in a nice big patio!
Ashley says
ugh… Mulch… HATE. It sure makes it look nice though!
Alli says
We have been working the yard a TON! Since then, I’ve been noticing everyone’s landscaping. Thanks for sharing yours! So sorry to hear about the pups/couch though π
Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst says
Mulch – so nice looking but so much work. This year we hired a high school senior to mulch our yard, dig out ivy, etc. I knew with being pregnant again that most of the yardwork just wasn’t going to get done. It’s working out really well! The yard looks really nice and I didn’t have to do it. π Also, hypothetically, if the dogs got paw prints all over my couch, they would, hypothetically, be banned to the outdoors. π
Cindy @ The Flipping Couple says
Well, it looks fantastic, but I cried a little bit inside when you said 72 bags….and again when you mentioned the sofa. But! It looks good and it’s done. Both very good things. Someday maybe we’ll get our act together and mulch….maybe.