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    You are here: Home / Outdoors / Easy Ways to Spruce up your Yard

    Easy Ways to Spruce up your Yard

    Last Updated: November 18, 2021 | Published: July 7, 2014 | By: Laura | 101 Comments | Filed Under: Outdoors, Tools & Tips

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    A little {yard} love can go along way with a few tools like an edger, a hose reel cart and some mulch. Find three simple and easy ways to spruce up your yard.

    Easy Ways to Spruce up your Yard | TheTurquoiseHome.com

    Wow, this post has taken me about four months to get up on the blog. Either it was bad weather, crazy schedules or being out of town, I just couldn’t seem to take pictures at the right time, or motivate Coach to do the work when I was available to take pictures of his handiwork. 🙂 But we finally – halfway through the summer – have made some simple updates to the outside of our home.

    When we bought the house, the yard and “landscaping” looked like this. Tons of big overgrown bushes and lots of weeds. It was a foreclosure, so the house had sat empty for a while before we took ownership. Disaster city!

    Front of the House | TheTurquoiseHome.com

    I’ve shared before in my State of the Yard Address about how we improved the outside of the house just by ripping out some of the larger vegetation, mulching the front beds and trimming up the bushes we left in place.

    So, each year we try to give a little more attention to the outside of our home. And eventually I’d even like to paint the shutters and door a different color.

    All the while, Coach has been wanting an edger because we both agree that an edged yard looks 100 times better than all of this overgrowth on the driveway and sidewalks.

    Sidewalk Before and After Edging | TheTurquoiseHome.com

    We chose an inexpensive, electric edger to get the job done. Coach said it was easy to use and I can vouch that it didn’t take him long to set it up and get everything edged. {It doesn’t hurt that he cut the clover in the after picture, too. Next year’s goal: kill the weeds in the yard so that it looks nicer and the HOA will quit bothering us. Ha!}

    I just love coming down the driveway now and seeing that crisp line along the edge of the drive. It’s the little things, you know. 🙂

    The driveway after edging | TheTurquoiseHome.com

    I should have taken a before and after pic of the driveway, because it was pretty rough! I’m loving the clean-up look.

    We also picked out an awesome hose reel cart and resin wicker hose hideaway to straighten up the hose situation around the house.

    I know this is probably the least glamorous shot to ever grace my blog, but we just left the hoses lying on the ground outside, pretty much year-round. It wasn’t cute. And Coach had to move the hoses anytime he wanted to mow. This makes things much easier!

    Before and After: Messy Hose to Hose Reel Cart

    We chose the resin wicker hose hideaway for the backyard since it will stay put and not need to be moved. But I picked out the hose cart for the side of the house, so that we could easily move it to the front of the house when needed.

    And then lastly, we put down some mulch in the front beds. What are flower beds called when they don’t have flowers in them? Just beds? Sure, we’ll go with it.

    Mulch the front Flower Beds

    We needed to cover up the old, faded mulch from last year {a generic brand} and cover up the dead {and living} weeds. I am hoping that this Scott’s Enhanced Mulch will keep it’s nice rich color a little better than what we used last year.

    Mulch the front Flower Beds

    Coach did all of the work. I can’t take any credit for it. 🙂 And I think the yard and beds look great now!

    Well … it may be time to pull out the hedge trimmer again and clean up those bushes. I guess a man’s work is never done. I’ll be sure to add that to the honey-do list.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elena

      July 23, 2014 at 12:38 am

      I need some mulch and edging as well as a spreader to spread crabgrass killer. But I would love some pretty flowers and pots.

      Thanks for the nudge.;)

      Reply
    2. iamalighthouse

      July 19, 2014 at 10:19 pm

      Who won? 🙂

      Reply
    3. [email protected]

      July 18, 2014 at 4:10 pm

      Your yard looks great, Laura! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us this week!

      Reply
      • Laura

        July 24, 2014 at 12:42 am

        Thanks so much for featuring my post, Kristi!

        Reply
    4. Thomas Murphy

      July 14, 2014 at 11:02 pm

      I need to paint the fence.

      Reply
    5. Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity

      July 14, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      Goodness! What don’t I need to spruce up my yard? I’m pretty sure we have more weed like things than grass. I need to tear stuff out of a few areas and put mulch there and those are only the beginning.

      Reply
    6. Leidy

      July 14, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      My husband takes really good care of our yard and it looks nice as it is but I would like to add more flowers

      Reply
    7. Laura J

      July 14, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      Oh I LOVE the difference the mulch and the edger made! I would love to do both of those to my home. I also have a few overgrown bushes!

      Reply
    8. girlfromwva

      July 14, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      WE need an edger, a weed-eater, a hose & hose cart, flower pots, and some perennials to plant!

      Reply
    9. Debi M

      July 14, 2014 at 6:33 pm

      I would buy some flowers and a new hose.

      Reply
    10. susan morello

      July 14, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      I have so much outside work to be done outside, I’m heading over to Ace Hardware on Pinterest right now to get some more ideas where to begin!

      Reply
    11. Amanda Sakovitz

      July 14, 2014 at 3:10 pm

      I need some more flowers

      Reply
    12. Michelle J.

      July 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      We need a lawn mower so we don’t have to keep borrowing the parents’!

      Reply
    13. Amy M. C.

      July 14, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      We need to get rid of our moles. They are really tearing our yard up!

      Reply
    14. [email protected] Like Mother Like Daughter Blog

      July 14, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      It would be much easier to say what my yard DOESN’T need at this point! haha. I need more bushes, flowers, more color in general. Some weed killer, a new edger and I would LOVE a pergola. Like I said, my yard needs a little work! This gift card would be a great start!

      Reply
    15. Robin A

      July 14, 2014 at 1:40 pm

      Get rid of weeds!

      Reply
    16. Mary Karas

      July 14, 2014 at 12:58 pm

      I am in serious need of some perennials and potted plants by the front door. It looks so unloved.

      Reply
    17. Lisa Aliperti

      July 14, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      We need to add a raised herb garden.

      Reply
    18. Linda

      July 14, 2014 at 11:52 am

      I’d really like to add more flowers and color to the front of my house.

      Reply
    19. Katie Muse

      July 14, 2014 at 11:31 am

      We def need a hose cart!

      Reply
    20. Linda

      July 14, 2014 at 7:14 am

      My yard is in desperate help could use lots of help.

      Reply
    21. GB

      July 13, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      I need to get and plant more flowers because all the beautiful ones I planted in spring have been eaten by the deer in the neighborhood. 🙁

      Reply
      • Laura

        July 24, 2014 at 12:27 am

        Evidently there is such a thing as deer spray – another reader informed me. Who knew? I need some, though, because the like to kill my baby tress by rubbing off the bark.

        Reply
    22. A Gupta

      July 13, 2014 at 4:58 am

      Would buy some patio chairs, umbrella and table.

      Reply
    23. Natasha S

      July 13, 2014 at 4:57 am

      Need some grass and flower pots.

      Reply
    24. Benn Sequeira

      July 13, 2014 at 4:42 am

      We need some flower pots.

      Reply
    25. Janice Cooper

      July 12, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      We need more color (flowers) in the yard. trim up the bushes and paint our picket fence.

      Reply
    26. Sandra VanHoey

      July 12, 2014 at 6:34 pm

      I just moved with my son to help our with my grandchildren and this home needs everything done. There is no landscaping and just needs so much. It is over 100 years old and the yard looks it as well as the home.

      Reply
    27. sandra

      July 12, 2014 at 12:26 am

      flowers

      Reply
    28. bianca roman

      July 11, 2014 at 8:24 am

      I need to lay down new mulch in our front yard beds

      Reply
    29. Jessica To

      July 10, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      I need to mulch around my house and use some weed killer!

      Reply
    30. Angela Y

      July 10, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      I need to plant some flowers in my yard!

      Reply
    31. Dedra Rodriquez

      July 10, 2014 at 10:01 am

      We just closed on our FIRST home and this would help us out tremendously as first time home buyers! WE have so many ideas for the yard and ways to get more curb appeal. some that you mentioned, like the water hose cart, some items to make our flower bed better and our grass healthier.

      [email protected] used rafflecopter, followed you and ace hardware on pinterest and instagram and will share on facebook

      Reply
    32. Jenna

      July 10, 2014 at 8:56 am

      I need to do some major weed pulling to begin with and then remulch some areas too.

      Reply
    33. Gina M (Wild Orchid)

      July 10, 2014 at 6:29 am

      We really need to mulch and edge our front islands.

      Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”

      Thanks for the chance to win!
      wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

      Reply
    34. Sarah

      July 10, 2014 at 6:14 am

      We JUST moved and this would bless us to no end! Thanks!

      Reply
    35. lori clark

      July 09, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      weed killer and Japanese beetle killer for sure!

      Reply
    36. livivua

      July 09, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      I need a new decor plan

      Reply
    37. Cindy Trobaugh

      July 09, 2014 at 5:39 pm

      Some New Patio Chairs, Pots and Mulch..Thanks for the Chance ~

      Reply
    38. Courtnie

      July 09, 2014 at 2:22 pm

      We need to do more gardening!

      Reply
    39. Heather B

      July 09, 2014 at 1:32 pm

      I need to trim the hedges and replace my borders.

      Reply
    40. Kim

      July 09, 2014 at 11:07 am

      Looks Great!

      Reply
    41. Elizabeth

      July 09, 2014 at 9:20 am

      We just bought a house in May, and need so much! Outdoor lights, bushes in the backyard, a new fence, mulch for the front yard, a new hose and storage unit, patio furniture, and a deck box for the furniture cushions. Phew!

      Reply
    42. [email protected] Sew Can Do

      July 09, 2014 at 8:10 am

      Ours has been overgrown for years so trimming back, removing old shrubs and lots of edging replacement so it looks neat again.

      Reply
    43. Shirley

      July 09, 2014 at 2:25 am

      We need mulch and deer spray so they won’t eat the flowers. We need fertilizer to kill weeds growning between the brick walk way.

      Reply
      • Laura

        July 24, 2014 at 12:17 am

        Ohhh, deer spray! I didn’t know they made that! I need some since last year a deer killed one of my baby dogwoods by rubbing all of the bark off of it. 🙁

        Reply
    44. Elizabeth

      July 08, 2014 at 10:10 pm

      We need to redo our front beds – new mulch, bushes and color!

      Reply
    45. Chelsea

      July 08, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      I need some weedkiller and fertilizer for the grass seed!

      Reply
    46. Jo @ Let's Face the Music

      July 08, 2014 at 1:50 pm

      We desperately need the area around the house to be seeded and then we’d like to add some foundations plants. $$$$ Jo @ Let’s Face the Music

      Reply
    47. chelsea alexander

      July 08, 2014 at 1:21 pm

      At this point it needs to just have a thorough cleaning and putting away of tools.

      Reply
    48. Lisa Rodgers

      July 08, 2014 at 11:31 am

      I need an edger so bad! And to get rid of weeds and get some mulch. Tore out tons of bushes two years ago and planted flowers, but there is still so much more to be done.

      Reply
    49. Elena

      July 08, 2014 at 11:08 am

      I need to paint the backyard fence

      Reply
    50. Amanda

      July 08, 2014 at 7:41 am

      Oh the list…we need to replace a dead shrub, make a bed in the backyard, and paint our trim.!

      Reply
    51. Michelle Milinski

      July 08, 2014 at 6:53 am

      We need some grub killer and grass seed a new edger and lawn mower would be helpful, too!

      Reply
    52. Jenna

      July 08, 2014 at 6:13 am

      Awesome ideas, Laura! I need that edger!

      Reply
    53. Brandi Bryant

      July 08, 2014 at 5:38 am

      I need to cut the weeds around the fence and replace some shrubs. Edge the walkway. Hall off a trailer full of stuff that we are throwing out. The list could go on and on. Thanks for the giveaway. Good luck everyone.

      Reply
    54. melisa moser

      July 08, 2014 at 1:25 am

      i have more weeds than lawn.

      Reply
    55. Carrie

      July 08, 2014 at 12:43 am

      I too LOVE an edged yard 🙂

      Reply
    56. LinhC

      July 07, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      I’d love to get some lights for the walkway.

      Reply
    57. Sharon

      July 07, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      That edger is the bomb! I need to do the same thing where my yard meets the road. Your yard looks great!

      Reply
    58. Sharon

      July 07, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      That edger is the bomb! Your yard looks great!

      Reply
      • Laura

        July 24, 2014 at 12:09 am

        Thanks SW! 🙂

        Reply
    59. Ellen Casper

      July 07, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      I need to put weedblocker down and then pine straw down.

      Reply
    60. Kristy Z

      July 07, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      We just bought our own place where I finally have my own yard. I’ve gotten a few plants started but the sides of the yard still look plain!

      Reply
    61. Mary

      July 07, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      Trim bushes and edge, for sure!

      Reply
    62. Teresa S

      July 07, 2014 at 7:49 pm

      We need to finish building the house (48 more days)! Then it will be some landscaping, fertilizer, and mulch to get it going.

      Reply
    63. Ellen V

      July 07, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      I need some color in my backyard like colorful chairs. I also need some new tools. Pick me!

      Reply
    64. Nicole Dz

      July 07, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      We need to spruce up the side of the house and our flower beds in the backyard. Would love to plant a lot more flowers.

      Reply
    65. Shelley

      July 07, 2014 at 6:19 pm

      Weeds and pruning are at the top of the list 🙂

      Reply
    66. Beth D

      July 07, 2014 at 6:01 pm

      Weed! Seriously, gardening is a constant yet rewarding task-love those perenials that come back year after year.

      Reply
    67. Lisa

      July 07, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      I really need to plant some flowers to spruce up my yard and make it come to life

      Reply
    68. Kim R

      July 07, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      We have a new cabin in the mountains and there is SO MUCH to do! We have banks that are eroding that need plantings and mulch, weeds growing in the driveway (gravel) and I want to plant hydrangeas, azaleas and other plants that I love.

      Reply
    69. Jeanine

      July 07, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      I need to feed my lawn and get rid of clover and moss!

      Reply
    70. Tawnya Marney

      July 07, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      We need lots of help. I mean LOTS of help.. but some just like your yard some mulch and a nice hose holder would be a huge first step.

      Reply
    71. Sue S

      July 07, 2014 at 2:06 pm

      I need to repaint my garage & deck.

      Reply
    72. Alina

      July 07, 2014 at 2:06 pm

      Some fertilizer for the bushes in the back and some mulch would help.

      Reply
    73. Sean C

      July 07, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      A trimmer to help me trim edges of the lawn would help!

      Reply
    74. tabitha

      July 07, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      we need a weedeater.
      that is what i’d get!

      Reply
    75. HS

      July 07, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      I need to take care of the weeds first.

      Reply
    76. Elle

      July 07, 2014 at 1:00 pm

      I’d love to fix up the back patio and fill in the cracks that have occurred over time.

      Reply
    77. Tara

      July 07, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      I need a little garden shed!

      Reply
    78. Diane W

      July 07, 2014 at 12:34 pm

      Much needed mulch and plants!! A trimmer would be great toooo!!

      Reply
    79. Lisa Cooper

      July 07, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      We are trying to establish grass at our new custom built house. The HOA keeps calling and asking questions! Unfortunately, we spent all our money on the house and have little left for landscaping. This gift card would help a lot!

      Reply
    80. andrea

      July 07, 2014 at 12:20 pm

      we sooo need to trim our lilac bushes!

      Reply
    81. MARTHA

      July 07, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Need mulch & plants also flower pots !!!!!!!!!!!! TY

      Reply
    82. Karen

      July 07, 2014 at 12:03 pm

      I need to edge our walk & would love to win the Ace Hardware gift card!

      Reply
    83. Lauren @ Bless'er House

      July 07, 2014 at 11:36 am

      We are in dire need of mulch too. We have pine straw right now, and I HATE that stuff! I blows all over the place and looks a mess. It’s amazing how much edging makes a difference too! Yours looks so much better.

      Reply
    84. Nickie Moseley

      July 07, 2014 at 11:35 am

      My front entry needs some TLC BAD!!!

      Reply
    85. Lindsay Eidahl

      July 07, 2014 at 11:02 am

      Weeds! Weeds! Weeds! We would also like to get some more ground cover in areas. We love making our yard pretty!

      Reply
    86. Marlene

      July 07, 2014 at 10:53 am

      My shrubs need pruning, I need some flowers and a stone walkway would be nice.

      Reply
    87. Ashley C

      July 07, 2014 at 10:48 am

      Our whole backyard needs sprucing up

      Demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

      Reply
    88. Jenni T

      July 07, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Our front “weed” bed could certainly use some grooming. I’m sure the neighbors would appreciate it!! 🙂

      Reply
    89. Kim

      July 07, 2014 at 10:24 am

      Mulch my flower beds….they are looking pretty bad!!

      Reply
    90. Kathleen

      July 07, 2014 at 10:14 am

      I could really use a hedge trimmer and some weed killer with that gift card. Little things like the mulch make a difference, it looks nice and neat now. Good job.

      Reply
    91. Cindy A.

      July 07, 2014 at 9:34 am

      I would love to edge around our carport and sidewalk!

      Reply
    92. Sandy A

      July 07, 2014 at 9:26 am

      We need to either sod or reseed out our back yard and then add some new comfy chairs…

      Reply
    93. Cindy Baker

      July 07, 2014 at 9:23 am

      Oh, I could totally use this gift card to spruce up my yard…front and back! (but the back needs it the most!) Been wanting a hose reel forever….on a super-tight budget…so to win would be awesome!

      Reply
    94. iamalighthouse

      July 07, 2014 at 8:18 am

      I can trim the plants!

      Reply
    95. Kelly D

      July 07, 2014 at 7:03 am

      I need to get rid of the weeds and add some nice looking plants.

      Reply

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