Landscaping Front Yard Makeover (Before & After Pictures)

Since we had our brick house painted white last year, it was time for the front yard to get a landscaping makeover to match the new look of the house.  And, we have loved our DIY landscaping ideas (on a budget) for the front yard that I came up with a couple of years ago, but my husband wanted to hire out some professionals this time around (lol)!!  It turned out great and has completely increased our curb appeal – overnight!  So, let’s get to it!  Landscaping Front Yard Makeover (Before & After Pictures).

 

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Landscaping Front Yard Makeover (Before & After Pictures)

I have so many pictures and so much information that I wanted to share with you that I decided to break this project into 2 posts:

1.   Landscaping Front Yard Makeover (before & after pictures) – this post.
2.   How to Plan Your Front Yard Landscaping Project – is now ready!

I wanted to first start off with our project “wants” list, and then we will go over the actual project “details” list.

Our Wants List:

• Angled Borders/Edging
• Juniper Trees (small and medium)
• Purple Plants (minimal)

I will go over the inspiration and wants list in more detail – in the next post.

 

This post will focus more on the actual project.

So, here is what we will be focusing on today.  And then of course all of the before & after pictures that y’all all love to see (well me too!!).  😉

Our Project Details List:

1.  Removed Existing Plants
2.  Cleaned Up/Toiled the Flower Beds
3.  Spray Painted Lines
4.  Installed the Limestone Edging/ Border
5.  Put the Plants, Mulch, & Sod In

Ok, lets get to it!!  Landscaping Front Yard Makeover (Before & After Pictures).

 

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Landscaping Front Yard Makeover

Let’s see how it looked before we started the project.

I know it looks so sad, but it’s a winter picture too (if you can say winter at all in Katy, TX) – haha!

You know what I mean.

Before Picture.

 

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Landscaping Front Yard Makeover

Step #1:  Removing Existing Plants

The first thing they did was remove all of the existing plants that we weren’t keeping.  

We decided to keep the magnolia tree on the left side of the house, and the oleander on the right side of the house – by the gate.

Left side.

 

Right side.

 

Front view.

 

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Step #2:  Cleaned Up/Toiled the Flower Beds

This step could probably be combined with step #1, but I decided to list it separately.

After our plants were removed, they go back in and “clean up” or “toil” the flower beds.  

I don’t know what the actual technical term is for this, but basically they use their shovels to dig into the ground and “loosen” or break up the soil.

 

This is important because one of the reasons my husband wanted to “hire out” was to make sure we were working with the best soil possible.

All of our other DIY jobs came out great, but some things just didn’t grow like they should have.

• And our landscaping foreman said it was because of the “clay” soil in our Texas region – that is hard.
• That clay makes it harder for roots to grab into and flourish.

So, that is why I decided to list this as an important step. 🙂

 

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Step #3:  Spray Painted Lines

Next, they went ahead and used 2 stakes and a string to get the straight lines needed for the limestone border.

Then they spray painted those lines with yellow paint to mark those lines.

 

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Step #4:  Installed the Limestone Edging/Border

Bare with me on this part – because I took a lot of pictures!! 

I just thought this part was so fascinating to see it in action.  I know – N.E.R.D!!

After they marked the lines, they dug out the area for the limestone to be laid.

Right Side.

 

Then they laid the limestone down.

 

Right Side – Driveway View.

 

 

Left Side.

 

Left Side.

 

Trees.

 

Problem Solving

I just wanted to show you that these borders are not easy to install.

They have issues to work around like:

• drainage pipes, lights, curved driveways and sidewalks, water sprinklers, etc.

 

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Step #5:  Put Plants, Mulch, & Sod In

Now that the limestone border is done, they started to do the plant trial.

I don’t know if that’s what it is really called, but it’s when they line the plants up before planting them.

 

 

And After!!  We love how it turned out!

 

Ok, who’s ready for all the before and after pictures??

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Landscaping Front Yard Makeover (Before & After Pictures)

Right Side

 

Side View From Driveway

 

 

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Left Side

 

 

 

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Trees

 

I hope you found some helpful tips, inspiration, or landscaping ideas to give your front yard it’s own makeover!!

Have a great week!!

Love & Hugs 🙂

 

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