The two previous homeowners had done little to design or maintain the yard. Instead of the green space we envisioned for gatherings, barbecues, or simply relaxing outdoors, it was practically nature’s version of a balding man. The center of the yard was dominated by a variety of dry, unsightly weeds with patches of dirt stubbornly clinging to life. The edges of the yard had some green grass, but even that was only thanks to the morning and evening shade provided by nearby trees. It was a far cry from the effortless greenery we were used to back east.

One of the biggest challenges was the array of persistent weeds that seemed to thrive despite the dry conditions. Colorado Springs is known for certain common weeds that are the bane of any homeowner’s existence. We were dealing with:

• Bindweed: A vine-like weed that wraps itself around anything in its path, making it incredibly tough to control.
• Kochia: A fast-growing weed that can grow several feet tall and spread quickly.
• Russian Thistle (Tumbleweed): The classic tumbleweed that’s prickly and difficult to remove once it takes root.
• Mallow: A weed with a deep taproot, making it nearly impossible to pull out without leaving remnants behind.
• Field Bindweed: Similar to bindweed but even harder to eliminate as its roots can extend deep underground.

To make matters worse, our neighbors had planted Aspen trees in their yard. On the surface, Aspens are beautiful, but the reality of living near them is far more complicated. Aspen trees have a notoriously aggressive root system. In our yard, those roots behaved more like invasive weeds than the lovely trees they’re known to be. They constantly sent up shoots in random spots, leaving us battling new growth every season. The interconnected root system meant that no matter what we tried, we couldn’t fully eradicate them because they were still connected to the “mother tree” in our neighbor’s yard. It was a massive pain and felt impossible to control.

Coming from New England, where rain is abundant and vegetation stays green with little effort, we were faced with a new reality. Maintaining a lush, green yard in Colorado Springs wasn’t going to be as simple. We didn’t have the time, expertise, or frankly, the energy to become full-time gardeners. We needed something that was not only practical but also affordable and easy to maintain.

That’s when we decided it was time to bring in professional help. After researching and hearing glowing recommendations from friends, we reached out to Alpine Landscaping. From the moment we contacted them, we felt reassured. They understood our vision and worked with us to develop a plan that suited our needs as “lazy gardeners” while giving us the green oasis we longed for.

Alpine Landscaping started by addressing the problem areas. Knowing that we didn’t want to be constantly battling overgrown grass near the fence, they suggested a practical solution: three feet of xeriscaping around the perimeter. This design choice not only eliminated the need for us to struggle with mowing tight corners, but it also added a polished, low-maintenance look to the yard.

Next, they installed high-quality sod, which was a game-changer. Seeing the instant green transformation was beyond satisfying. However, we didn’t want our new lawn to be a water-guzzling burden, so Alpine set us up with time-automated irrigation. This system is perfectly calibrated to our climate, ensuring our lawn stays lush and healthy from spring through autumn, even with Colorado Springs’ unpredictable weather.

In addition to the sod, they also planted a carefully selected mix of trees, flowers, and bushes that added both color and structure to our yard. To make things even easier, they integrated a drip irrigation system for these plants. This setup ensures that our new greenery gets the right amount of water without any manual effort on our part. The drip system targets the roots directly, reducing water waste and making maintenance practically foolproof.

After two years of dreaming, planning, and saving, we finally have the backyard we always wanted. It’s no longer the eyesore we inherited but a space we’re proud to show off to our friends and neighbors. The transformation has been incredible, and every time we step outside, we’re reminded of how far it’s come.

What’s more, our friends have been just as impressed as we are. During our first backyard barbecue since the renovation, all we heard were compliments on how beautiful and welcoming the space is. One of our guests even joked, “Looks like we should call Alpine next!” And honestly, we couldn’t agree more.

Looking back, it was well worth the wait and investment. Moving from a region where vegetation is naturally green year-round to a place where it takes planning and effort was an adjustment. But thanks to Alpine Landscaping, we now have a practical and beautiful space that fits our lifestyle. We didn’t have to become expert gardeners to achieve the lush, vibrant yard we wanted – and that’s exactly what we needed.

So, if you’re a fellow homeowner in Colorado Springs, struggling with weeds, dirt patches, or even those pesky Aspen tree shoots, do yourself a favor and reach out to Alpine Landscaping. They turned our backyard dreams into a reality, and I’m confident they can do the same for you.

Written by our client, Kirsten Hall