I decided this year is "the year" for working on my back yard. I want an outside space that is my oasis instead of a desiccated wasteland like it is now. I have 2 main goals for this year for my back yard:

1. I will have a vegetable and fruit garden in this space, which is on the side of my house:

2. The rest of my yard will have grass at minimum and hopefully flowers and shrubs. This is what the rest of my yard looks like right now:


Those two trees were actually volunteers that each rooted over from a different neighbor's yard. That's the easiest way to add foliage I must say! They probably aren't exactly where I would have planted them, but they took no effort on my part so I'm happy enough with where they are. There's also another side area of the yard, which is where the garbage and recycle containers are stored; I think I'd like to pave at least some of that area with either concrete or pavers and add a small shed for yard and gardening tools.

I have to admit I am taking the easy way out for getting grass going and the basic maintenance- I hired a guy that works for my neighbor's landscaping company to do that for me. He'll be coming out monthly to get the grass in, mow it, take care of weeds, trim the trees and such for both our back and front yard. He isn't charging me very much considering I really do hate that kind of yard work (plus both DH and I have bad allergies)- especially in the summer during 115 degree weather (it's 108 today and it's only May!!)

Eventually I'd like to expand my porch area and get a table and chairs so I can enjoy the back yard more. My in-laws enclosed their porch with a half wall and screens and added a ceiling fan, which is really nice in cooler weather. They even have a TV out there so they can watch the news and enjoy being outside while they have their morning coffee. I just might be able to convince my wonderful FIL to help us do that :)

I have a layout all planned for my garden, which will be a raised-bed Square Foot Garden; I bought Mel Bartholomew's book from Barnes and Nobles for all the information I need for that method along with Dave the Garden Guy's Seasonal Guide to Organic Gardening in the Desert Southwest for local information. I won't be able to do much in the next couple months as far as actual planting and gardening, so I'll be using the summer to build my beds (oh joy- construction in the heat!) In June I'll plant pumpkins so I'll have them for Halloween! I can't wait until I have a full veggie garden going and can pick my own salad fresh whenever I need it!

I had to take a picture of my poor panting puppy while he was following me around outside wondering why I would venture out in this insane heat; this is Milo our Miniature Pinscher:

Don't worry, he has a doggy door so he's inside most of the time!

So that's my currently-ugly, soon-to-be-gorgeous back yard desert. My front yard is desert too, but the kind with rocks and cacti, so it looks much nicer: