The Completed Shed

We finished building our new backyard shed.  We primed the trim and installed the window and doors. 

 

Earlier this summer, before our interlock was laid, we ran wiring underground to the back corner of the yard so that we could have power in the shed.  Now it’s a perfect storage and work space!

Building the Backyard Shed

When we tore down our garage, we knew we’d need to get some sort of shed to store tools and garden accessories.  However, since building the fence was the first priority, we were stuck with an ugly storage container for the summer.

 

We found an 8x12’ pre-fab shed at Lowes that would work perfectly in the back corner of our yard.  Unfortunately, it came in a million pieces (you can see the pile of shed pieces hiding under the blue tarp in the photo above!)

After seeing how much water pools in our backyard during heavy summer rains, we decided to pour a concrete pad as a base for the shed.

Last weekend, we finally got started building it.  Dave built all the walls and then got some help from our neighbours to put it all together (thanks Jim and Jose!)

  
Finally, we put on the roof and added shingles.

 
Next, we’ll paint the trim and install the window and doors.  Then, we’ll build the shelving inside the shed.  Soon, we’ll be able to finally get rid of our storage container!

The Backyard Fence

Our new backyard fence is complete!  The fence runs down one side of the backyard, where the garage used to be. 

As mentioned in a previous post, our official parking spot (which we will use as a patio) is located in our backyard.  Eventually, our deck will connect to the driveway end of the fence.  The patio is still a bit of a mess of supplies for future projects, including the shed that we plan to build in the back corner of the property.

 

We built the fence out of cedar which was a mutual decision with our neighbour. At each step of assembly, to protect the wood, we finished it using Behr Cedar Natural Tone weatherproofing wood finish.  It was a very time consuming project, but we’re really happy with the result. 

Interlock and Asphalt

As part of this summer’s exterior work, we decided to get our driveway repaved at the same time we were getting our interlock laid in the backyard.

When we made the decision to get rid of our garage in the backyard, we decided to turn that area into a patio.  By laying interlock, the area will still meet the City’s zoning requirements for a parking space behind the house, but we’ll use the space as a patio.  Eventually, we plan to build a deck that will step down onto the patio.

 

Once the fence posts were installed, the contractors came and laid the interlock.  And then we finally got the new asphalt on the rest of the driveway.  Things are starting to look really good out there!

Fencing

While the workers were busy building our new porch in the front, we turned our attention to the backyard.  Once we tore the garage down, Dave and his friends installed the 6x6 cedar posts for our new fence.

The fence will run along the east side of our yard.  Since our “official” parking space will also be in our backyard, we decided that we will install a gate to fully enclose the backyard space.  Dave decided to dress it up a bit with a decorative piece across the top of the gate.  Finally, he stained the posts with a natural cedar-coloured stain.

 

Once the fence posts were completed, the paving company was ready to come and start prepping the backyard and driveway area for interlock and new asphalt.

Thanks to Chris, Rob, Stu, Shawn and Guy for all your help!

Stumped

Before we got started on the backyard, there were some old, prickly bushes growing through the fence behind the garage.  Since we will be building a new fence along this side of the yard, we needed to clear the area.  We cut down the bushes and removed the old fence before demolishing the garage.  This left us with a bunch of stumps to deal with. 

 
The stump removal job called for a serious piece of machinery! 

 

With a rented stump grinder and a couple of hours of work, the stumps were shredded and the back of the yard was nice and flat…

No More Eyesore!

This week, we tackled the garage demolition.   Like last year when we gutted the inside of our house, Dave gathered a group of friends to help.

We lucked out with a nice, sunny day.  A little bit of muscle, two dumpsters and several beers later, the garage was gone!

  

For now, we’re left with the concrete pads that were beneath the garage. It certainly opens up the space and allows us to get a good feel for how we want to layout our yard.  Thanks to Jim, Rob, Dave, Chris, Guy, Becca and Ron for all your help!

Here’s the transformation:

 

Next up: breaking up the concrete and installing the fence posts.

The Great Outdoors

When we got started on our home renovation this time last year, we knew that most of the yard work would have to wait.  Since we weren’t living here, a nice backyard just wasn’t a priority.

You may remember that our backyard is narrow and deep.  Last summer we put in some cedars along the back fence line and removed the old wire fence along one side of the yard.  Other than that, we pretty much left things as is back there.

Now that we’re heading into our first summer in the house, we’re ready to start focusing on the backyard.  Deciding what to do, however, was a bit of challenge.

The garage (which is a double garage that we share with our neighbour) is in pretty rough shape.  Since the garage is at the end of a very narrow mutual driveway, we don’t use it for parking.  After discussions with our neighbour, we decided that we’d rather tear down the garage and replace the storage space with garden sheds at the back of our properties. 

We did some research and discovered that the municipal bylaw requires that we each maintain one parking space behind our house.  Currently, the garage meets that requirement.  So, to allow us to remove the garage but still meet the requirements, here’s the backyard plan we came up with:

• Remove the existing wire fence, bushes and stumps behind the garage.
• Tear down the garage.
• Create two parking spaces with interlock in the place of the existing garage (which we will actually use as patios).
• Put up a fence between the parking spaces and all along that side of the yard for privacy.
• Replace the asphalt on the mutual driveway.
• Build a garden shed in the back corner of the yard.
• Build a deck that will step down onto the interlock patio area, increasing our outdoor living space.

It’s a bit of an ambitious plan that will not get fully completed this summer, but will definitely make our backyard a lot more attractive and functional. 

We started the work last week, ripping down the old fence and ordering a storage container to hold our lawnmower, etc. while the garage gets demolished. 

 

This week, the garage comes down!

Kind of a Big Deal

One of big reasons why we were so ready to move from a condo to a house was the fact that we had never owned a BBQ! Our condo building didn’t allow BBQs on the balconies, nor did they have a communal BBQ area.

Exactly one year ago this weekend, we found and purchased our first home…a house with a backyard that would be perfect for BBQing! Marty (Jen’s Dad) said that, when we were ready, he would buy us one as our housewarming gift.

Once spring arrived and most of the interior renovation was complete, we were ready. With or without a deck, it was time for the BBQ.

We hooked it up to our natural gas line, seasoned the grills and prepared our first meal. What a great way to celebrate Earth Hour!

We’re looking forward to getting a lot of use out of our new BBQ this summer. Thanks Marty!

Cedars

Marty and Marilyn came over to plant the cedars this weekend. We planted 19 of them along the back fence line. Although they will fill in a lot, they look great already. The back yard has really come a long way!


Our neighbours have been doing a lot of work on their backyard as well. They've ripped out their yard and are putting in new grass. This weekend, they pulled out the(very weedy!) garden that ran along the property line.

On to the Backyard

Our plans to plant cedars along the back fenceline meant that we needed to clear some room for them. On closer inspection of the existing back garden, we found a bunch of stumps left behind from some bushes that must have been cut down before we bought the house.



Marilyn and Marty came over this weekend to help clear everything out. Between the stumps and the weeds it was quite a big job so we really appreciated their help!






Once we got everything out, we dug a big trench to prepare for planting the cedars.

Here's what the back looks like now, with everything removed. The cedars will definitely help give us some privacy from the rear neighbours.

We also cleared all the weeds from the side of the yard, behind the garage. We know our neighbour plans to do some yard work this summer, so we'll wait and see what he wants to do before we do any more work on this side.

Yard Work!

This was such a beautiful weekend, so we decided to do some work outdoors. With the help of Steph and Lindsay (thanks girls!) we pulled out some of the bushes in the front garden to clear the way for the gas meter.

It looks a little bare right now, but once the gas meter is installed, we will plant some flowers to give the front some colour.

While the girls were working in the front yard, Dave spent some time in the back, removing the fence. Our neighbours also spent the weekend clearing out they're backyard .

Lots of people have been asking about what we've decided to do to the rooms upstairs. We're making a final decision this week and will post about it soon.

Landscaping Plans

Since there's so much work to do inside, we likely won't get much landscaping done until next summer. But, since Jen's parents are so great at gardening (they have a beautiful yard!) we had them over to take a look and give us some ideas.

The plan for the backyard is to put in some cedars along the back fence line. We're going to do that this spring because they take some time to fill in.

Our next door neighbours want to replace the fence (thank goodness - it's quite an eyesore!) but we're probably going to wait until next spring to put in a new one. In the meantime, we're going to pull out the old one and leave it open. Once a new fence is up, we can decide on the rest of the backyard landscaping.

As for the front yard, we're going to have to place the gas metre (and eventually the air conditioner) in the front garden. We've decided to get the gas metre installed on the left side and we'll try and tuck the a/c unit in beside the stairs. Once we get those in, we'll do our best to hide them with bushes, etc. For the most part, though, this summer's landscaping work will consist of mowing the lawn - thanks to the wonderful lawnmower we inherited from the Wilsons!