The boys are getting a new backyard

[jenn D]

Well, the boys and us that is. After a lot of family discussions, asking questions here, and talking with local families who have active kids and dogs we've decided to take the plunge. We are redoing the entire upper part of our yard. The lower part will remain real grass but the top we are replacing the ahem "grass" (I.e., grass pieces, dirt, weeds) with synthetic lawn. As we live in New Mexico it is so hard to keep a lawn thriving and when you add 3 active doodles and two crazy kids, forget it. Not to mention water restrictions.
As we have been told the lawn can get hot, we are adding a covered porch/pergola type thing over 1/4 of the upper fake grass so there is a cooler area.
Jake also talked me into a doodle pool. He said a pool will make him relax and find his inner zen.
So I'll update via blog entries on the process. I just wanted to post here because there has been discussion regarding fake vs real lawn and now I will have some experience for those with questions.
We are currently training PB&J to go in a designated potty area so that the lawn won't be the primary potty place. The next two weeks will be rough on the boys-lots of workmen, lots of backyard restricted access for them. Poor doodles.

On to our new adventure.

Love,
Jenn and PB&J

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good luck with your project.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sounds very exciting. Can't wait to see the results! 

Tell the boys it will be worth the temporary inconvenience, lol. 

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Exciting! Post pictures of the final product! I'm sure P,B,&J will love their new doodle pool! 

[Karen and Ruston]

Sounds like it will be well worth the 2 weeks. Good luck and enjoy your end results.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is exciting....can't wait to hear more.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

sounds great!  hope the construction time goes by quickly...don't forget pictures! 

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

I have turf as well!!! best investment I have ever made!!!!!!! no more dirty paws!!! its amazing!!! :)

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Sounds great.... please post pictures!!  Would love to see the before, during and after pics :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

I hope you (and the dogs) like the synthetic lawn.  I know you will enjoy the pergola and the dogs will love the pool.  My husband used to live at Elephant Butte and actually graduated from high school there (T & C HS) but it is so sad what has happened to the water.  We saw that it is at 3% now.  Yikes.  We have taken out all lawn areas and planted with natives and put in planter boxes for our veges.  Big water problems here also.  I teach SFG (square foot gardening) also utilizing planter boxes that teaches kids not to waste seeds, water, or soils.  They love keeping their planter boxes and so do I love showing them how to do it.  We harvested and ate the veges from a planter box in front of a first grade classroom yesterday (third time this year).  Watering lawns has definitely been put on hold around here.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Jenn, I remember you talking about wanting to redo your backyard and it's great to hear you are on your way! Good luck and looking forward to photos!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Sounds awesome!

[Chelsea Herman]

It sounds amazing!  I have had the artificial turf (we used K9 grass) in the past and just loved it. It was so easy to maintain and keep looking nice!