The Back Yard - What Is Now

 

For over a year we schemed and planned in our heads what we wanted to do with the area opened up by the removal of the pool. Originally we thought we wanted to build a gazebo, but we gradually modified that to a pergola (a Japanese-inspired arbor with slatted roof for vines). A couple of summers ago we built the pergola, getting it done just before the snow started flying.  It is designed and sized to supply shade in the summer, to fit a table and chairs for yard entertaining, and to accommodate the big rope hammock we all enjoy.

We completed one raised garden the summer after, using two existing arborvitae bushes (left over from the dozen we planted around the pool - ten died) as a backdrop for a small terraced fountain. we installed in-ground water sprinklers for the garden bed, and a feeder hose to be used for additional in-ground sprinklers in the second garden bed, once we finish it!

We recently completed the 2nd raised bed garden around the other three posts. We may add 6-8 inches of loam in the entire lawn area and patio bricks underneath the pergola, then reseed the area so the lawn will be continuous, rather than an old sand-bar and weeds. Or we may just let the lawn reclaim the sandy area by itself.

This is what the back yard looks like now (with an additional white canopy we set up for a party we had):