As the good weather comes in, I am going to be burning some extra calories and getting fit in new ways with the help of my yard. That’s right, landscaping. I have a pretty big yard and a landscape plan that encompasses all of it. It has been requested by some that I post pics of the work that I am doing so every now and then I will do so. Today is one of those days. I know it is a bit off topic but the simple fact is that yard work is fantastic for our bodies and it produces a result that improves our lives and the communities that we live in. So having a nice yard doesn’t just affect me, it affects all the people who see it. It has the potential to bring peacefulness and inspiration to those who pass by or visit. This is not about impressing others or keeping up with the “Joneses”. I truly believe that creating a beautiful scenery is a help to the surrounding community. Landscaping is the best of both the exercise and community improvement worlds. Here are some pics.
This is the plan on paper
All in all, there are many neat things that I will be doing with my landscape. Many wonderful native plantings as well as ALOT of lawn removal. I have created all the planting beds now and with the amount of lawn that I removed I have reduced lawn mowing time from about 3 hours to about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
This is th flagstone path that I built
This is the main flagstone path the I built that runs from my driveway to the rear of the house. I did this all myself after work in one week. This was really hard work but not near as hard as creating the beds by removing sod.
This is three of the six 10' cedars for screening
These trees will provide screening of the neighbors for more privacy. All in all there will be 29 new trees of various types planted. I have planted 26 so far. Trees add structure to a landscape.
This is my back lawn with additional flagstone paths that I built coming off the deck and through the trees on the right.
This is a view of my back lawn from almost the property line. It is a vary nice and relaxing atmosphere which is my goal for the plan. Providing beautification and peacefulness to my home is the desired outcome. Oh yeah, and fun too. I am hoping that it will be a great place for my future children to play and frolic.
I will keep updating pics as I move along. My wife takes these pics as you can tell they are of a much higher quality as compared to when I take them. HAHAHA HAve a great day
My angle on weight loss 
What amazing pictures!!! And that plan looks so professional! This is such a wonderful healthy hobby — I can’t wait ’til I have a house + yard to play with 🙂
It will be lots of work Fit. but you will feel so good about what you accomplish with your own home
What a great job you have done and what awesome pictures your wife has taken to document the hard work that you have done. You sure do have a beautiful lawn and house. I especially love that flagstone pathway. It all seem to look so natural and like you said good for the environment and your mental and of course your physical health. I just can’t get over how gorgeous of an area you live in. Even with all the rain you get, I’d take that over the blandness of desert living. 🙂
Rob it is a beautiful part of the country that I live in.
I know. I use to go up there several times a year. I miss my trips up there and I do miss the slow drizzle of a light rain as well. Not having that here I always loved and found it so peaceful sitting on the deck as a light mist would take over the yard. Those were the days.
beautiful plans! that will be great.
Thanks brandi
Now a bit off topic as well. I do finally have a new title. One that really tells it like it is and that I feel shows what I am all about. One other comment… I don’t know how you do it. You do all this landscaping, your have a full time job, your train, you take care of your family and on and on and on… How do you fit it all in your day/life. Are you superman or do you have a clone that helps you? No wonder why you are so skinny…. 🙂
Yes Rob, I do do this myself. I will get help sometimes. Like for those huge trees I had two guys help me. It took 1.5 hours last night to plant the 6 cedars. I planted the rest myself without help.. I enjoy it
Great work! I should send my friend Aaron here to look at your plans…He bought a home 2 years ago with a whole mess of landscaping to take care of…fortunatalye he LOVES to create order out of chaos and has figured out that he loves gardening! He is working on his vision for his yard!
I also love your home and yard..it does look very peaceful….a perfect palce to entertain! or watch children frolic 🙂
Muchas Gracias Kim. I so appreciate that.
Awesome, Jason. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Maggieapril.
BTW where do you live? FOr some reason I was thinkning Cali…but maybe not?
the only thing missing is a hamock under those trees by the flagstone path…and a porch swing…maybe a couple of them in various places in the yard….so you can choose depending on what view you want and sunny or shady! 🙂 DOn’t you like the way I inject MY wishes into YOUR plans….as though you would want the same as me!!!
No, really, I do actually want what you want. Those are all in the plans for the yard. Just takes massive time and I am trying to develop a creative and mechanical side of myself by doing it myself. HAHAHA
You have a beautiful home and I love what you’re doing with the landscaping. I also like the decking – did you do that yourself too?
I agree with Rob. You must have super human powers to fit all you do into one day. But then again, I’ve noticed you make posts at 4am sometimes so you must start your day pretty early and go to bed soon after dark? Just a guess.
And wow. Your greenery in WA is far more beautiful than what we have here in TX. Don’t get me wrong, I like TX and NM for the climate and the native vegetation, but miss the green from living in IL or anywhere north.
Amy, I do get up at 4 am. and then I work till 4-5 pm. About 6 days a week. So I really don’t have that much time. My wife things I am a machine when it comes to just keeping going and being busy. I get home and then off to something. No time for rest. Work is over, running starts, running is over, yard work starts, yard work is over, dinner starts and so on and so on. Did you watch the video
Did you draw these plans yourself or have them drawn up?
Kim, they got drawn up.
NOt yet…I’m on my way there.
You have an amazing house and some awesome landscaping plans! I can only imagine how long it took you to draw them up. I give you major props!
Wow! Very nice landscaping indeed! I just bought my first home in Phoenix and have a small front and back yard. I got a jump-start by having sod installed. Now I think I want to add some small pretty flowers around the edge of my lawn. Happy gardening!
OMG!!! HUGE YARD!!! I don’t know if I’d have the stamina for your landscaping project! What we found works well to diminish lawn mowing time is an inground pool :). The pool and pool deck and our regular deck and then covered patio take up nearly half our backyard. I would like less grass out front though. Hopefully after I graduate I can accomplish that goal though. Not enough energy to tackle that this summer!
Yard work is both overwelming and fulfilling. HAHAHA 🙂
I agree with overwhelming. I’m just not sure if you’re sane or not to take on tackling that project!
I am not sane whatsoever.!?:)
WOW!!! Very nice landscaping, Jason. You did an excellent job. 🙂
Why thank you very much Rhonda