Thanks, Kate! I add seed to the bare spots every spring and then water it like a crazy person all season long. Usually every other day if it doesn’t rain, and mornings are best for water retention. I also do a lot of hand weeding. If you get the weeds before the go to seed they won’t spread so quickly.

Hey Debora, I got the lights at Target – you should be able to find them online too. They are pretty inexpensive – 14.99 for a strand of 25. They really make a backyard magical at night. We had an ice storm this year and the weight of the ice caused mine to fall down, but I plan on getting them back up in the next week or so.

Hey, Laura. I got the furniture 4 years ago from Ikea – since then they have discontinued the line BUT I have to say, for the initial $320 and a little loving every spring, I have been able to keep this patio set looking almost new. Considering some patio sets get into the thousands of dollars, I think this one is a pretty good deal. I have a crush on a bunch of new Ikea patio stuff this season, you should check it out and see if anything that speaks to you.

Thanks, June! I’m glad to hear that you think it has curb appeal and it’s not all in my head ;) Sometimes looking back I realize the white house wasn’t really that bad, however it needed a new paint job and I really am in love with the white corner boards we added on all the edges of the house. It previously had metal edging that was rusty and broken.

I love home renovation blogs, but sometimes it seems like it all happens in the blink of an eye, at my house it doesn’t – results are slow and thats okay too.

Perry, this is kind of weird, but I put them on craigslist and a lot of people came and got them. However, there were still bajillions or rocks left. I had a space between the garage and the neighbors garage and I tossed the rest of the rocks there. My neighbor had a similar problem and he hired a team a lawn care team to come and dig them up. They just hauled them away. It cost him a few hundred dollars but I get that it was probably worth it.

Thanks, Sarah! Your yard already looks great! You’ll feel so proud of it when you get everything to start growing just the way you want it – waiting is the hardest part with gardening. I am excited for you.

That is so exciting JeNica! Have you put out your patio furniture yet? I was just thinking I might have to pull mine out on Wednesday and get it all spiffed up for the season. Just hearing you say that you got a patio umbrella makes me excited. Hope you get it out of that box soon!

Yes, my husband’s only requirement was a fire pit. :) I hope one day our yard is half as peaceful as yours looks – even with the green fence! And I loooooove the blue siding.

Thanks! Finding someone for a big expensive job is always scary, so it’s nice to have a tip — especially since your house looks fabulous!

Thanks, Caroline! Don’t be scared of plants, they won’t hurt you. I don’t think I have a green thumb either, it takes a lot of trial and error to get things going sometimes.

I do love my navy house, not gonna lie. Thank you!

Hey Allie! Thanks! Yeah, garden projects are a lot of work, but I think so rewarding. I hope you decide to start something, I think you’ll be happy you did :)

Oh my goodness! What a huge job you! That looks like it was a ton of work, but it looks like you have made great progress. Thanks for sharing, I love to see what other people are doing in their yards. Those weeds were intense! Glad to see you made it through, and your fire pit area (I assume that is what the circle is) looks awesome!.