Have you ever watched those shows about renovating yards and thought that you wish you could do that? Thats where I was last year with the poor me syndrome. Then one day I woke up and decided to put my budget together and see what I could do. I am so glad I did because I have come a long way since that first day!

Our culture is all about what you cant do or dont have. I decided to put together a list of what I could do, along with a list of what my friends could do as well. Between all of us there was a plethora of experience, knowledge and talent. I knew my friend may not have time to help me but they would be glad to lend me their knowledge and experience and a few tools, if needed.

My wife and I hen made a list of everything we would like to have or see in the yard. It included things like a greenhouse and storage shed but also had some things like raised beds, flowerbeds and a garden area for growing food and a nice sitting area where we could relax.

When you look at a project like this it is easy to get discouraged by the shear amount of work. I called in a friend who is in the construction business and he suggested we do the hard stuff first; deal with the fence and deck. So I expanded the fence to the borders of our property and made the deck larger as well.

Dealing with the fence and deck was a job but it was well worth it. I did some research and found out that once you have these items you have to take care of them by sealing them for your weather conditions, which we did. My wife found some great wooden post caps to finish off the look and protect the posts as well and it still looks fantastic!

What we realized as we went forward is most of the items we were looking to add to what we had just done could be bought in kit form. This has made it easy to plan and get things done one by one. Now I would be lying to you if I told you we were through but we have a lot of it done and are well on our way to having the yard we always wanted to have.

Using kits was a great idea for us. Weve been able to buy as we go and they are really easy to put together. Weve used them for our shed, several raised beds for vegetables and flowers and for our Rion Greenhouse. We are just weeks from being finished with a sitting area that includes a garden arbor in one of the garden spaces we created and after that its just filling in with trellises, planters and other garden dcor items and we will be done! I know I need to take time to enjoy it all but I have been overtaken by the DIY movement. Im thinking a new addition; so is my wife but we are not talking about the same thing!

Have you ever watched those shows about renovating yards and thought that you wish you could do that? Thats where I was last year with the poor me syndrome. Then one day I woke up and decided to put my budget together and see what I could do. I am so glad I did because I have come a long way since that first day!

I sat down and determined what I was skilled to do and also what the friends in my circle were skilled to do as well and found that between all of us, we had a lot of experience! I didnt necessarily think they would help me, though I was sure they would, I just wanted to know where I could get some good advice from people that I trust.

I was always taught you have to start with the end in mind so the wife and I sat down on an afternoon and went over everything we could possible want. We had things from trellises to raised beds to a shed and a greenhouse. We also included an expansion on the deck.

Once the list was completed I have to admit it seemed daunting. Just looking at the work involved made mw wonder if I had bit off more than I could chew. It was time to call in the Calvary and get a couple of opinions from knowledgeable friends. Both suggested I start by working with what was already there, which was the fence and deck so I did that first. I moved the fence and repaired the deck.

Dealing with the fence and deck was a job but it was well worth it. I did some research and found out that once you have these items you have to take care of them by sealing them for your weather conditions, which we did. My wife found some great wooden post caps to finish off the look and protect the posts as well and it still looks fantastic!

What we realized as we went forward is most of the items we were looking to add to what we had just done could be bought in kit form. This has made it easy to plan and get things done one by one. Now I would be lying to you if I told you we were through but we have a lot of it done and are well on our way to having the yard we always wanted to have.

Using kits was a great idea for us. Weve been able to buy as we go and they are really easy to put together. Weve used them for our shed, several raised beds for vegetables and flowers and for our Rion Greenhouse. We are just weeks from being finished with a sitting area that includes a garden arbor in one of the garden spaces we created and after that its just filling in with trellises, planters and other garden dcor items and we will be done! I know I need to take time to enjoy it all but I have been overtaken by the DIY movement. Im thinking a new addition; so is my wife but we are not talking about the same thing!