Welcome to the Jungle

A few years of neglect have allowed the yard to get a little out of hand. It's not a priority now but there will definitely be some serious landscaping in the future.

You can't even tell in the picture below that there is a 4' chain link fence to the left and back of the yard due to all the overgrowth. Also hidden beneath the brush is a foundation for an old one-car garage.

The block wall around the patio is only standing because of lumber pieces holding it in place. This won't last long.

The wall on the side is in bad shape as well, half of it has been pushed back as the other portion is collapsing. Originally there was a much smaller closed in porch back here.

 

One of the previous owners was kind enough to share many old photos with me. Above you can see how much smaller the original porch was. Personally I would have kept it and added a patio behind but perhaps it wasn't salvageable. Would have been a great place to add a pantry and half bath. I did find two of those square blocks supporting the column which now support my birdbath.

 

 

Same spot, different dog. All of my dogs have loved to lie on the back patio like this. An homage to puppies past. 

Partial clean out of the brush (and some interior trash for good measure). You can actually see the somewhat dilapidated fence which will have to do for now since I have wondering pups. 

The lot next door used to belong to this house but was sold off a few years ago to the gas company. They clear cut the entire lot taking down some old trees and planted grass. If they were just going to let it get overgrown again I wonder why they didn't leave the established trees. 

A few more recent photos below:

All the old concrete pillars were broken up and buried and the open area filled in to create a nice slope for landscaping. Eventually I'll be building a new shed when I decide where to put it.

I was able to break up or bury most of the unneeded walk up to the old garage but this protruding step I decided to put to good use. Notice the two square blocks from the old back porch.

 

Before & After 

There was just so much concrete everywhere and I still want to remove some more. My biggest regret is moving those beautiful old roses which didn't survive the transplant. Overall the landscaping is looking much better though.

Previously it was a hosta party.