Creating a Golf Cart Path in Side Yard

If you live in the 55+ community of Lakes at Leesburg, most likely you will want to get yourself a golf cart. Another thing to consider is a golf cart path in your side yard. Many residents will simply drive over the grass. Some residents already have a concrete slab in their side yards for golf carts.

The very cute home located at 19 Tortuga Way has a very stylish golf cart path in the side yard. What is cool about that golf cart path is how it ties in with the landscaping design throughout the rest of the property. You know, amazing curb appeal?

In this blog post, you will see how this landscape project came together, with step-by-step photos. Not only will you get to appreciate how this FSBO senior home achieved amazing curb appeal, but you will learn how you can do it for yourself. Oh, and not to forget this home IS for sale by owner!

Golf Cart Path in Side Yard = Amazing Curb Appeal
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

In this first photo, you get a view from the curb back. The entire side yard is a composite of 6-7 elements, which are like puzzle pieces coming together to form one design. The golf cart path is stylishly fit into the side yard.

Let us show you how that stylish golf cart path came to be! Day 1 there wasn't much to see at first with the digging and cleaning of the first area.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

OMG, we found out right away that this side yard was going to be a real job to prepare. You see, there is a large oak tree around the corner whose roots are all throughout this area. And, we found that a large bush that was in the side yard left its mark there. It was like digging for buried treasure!

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

Placing the twelve-inch red patio stone along with brick pavers really improved that area in a hurry!

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

We created a patio area adjacent to the opening of the carport so that the golf cart could be pulled into the carport.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

Extending that patio area and design back along the shed area in the side yard gave us a place to back into with the golf cart. With the patio design extended back, it also provided a spot to part the golf cart if you didn't want to pull it into the carport. Red lava rock was used for design and for drainage from the downspouts. The design was really coming together nicely!

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

There was a bit of a time-out at this point in the golf cart path design. Look at the top of the photo, continuing into the backyard, we created a garden area that curved into the backyard. That garden area was filled with red mulch and edged in the red stone edgers.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

Turning our attention back toward the curb, we took another time-out to work on the accent garden area at the curb. We were also working on defining the overall area for the golf cart path. Stone edgers were placed at the outside edges with red lava rock at the side of the carport.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

We were accumulating the white stone edgers that came with the property -- which would be picked up by the park workers for somebody else to use. This is the area that took a little extra effort to prepare because of all the roots crisscrossing under the surface.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

Because of all those roots, we came back to the front area to put in a patio stone access area for the golf cart to enter the side yard. To the right, you can see a triangular accent garden that ties into the front accent garden at the curb.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

At this point in the design, we really could see the project coming together. We had measured the distance, more than once, for placing the two lanes for the golf cart tires. We measured the neighbors two lanes of white stone and also measured the distance between his tires on both axles. As research, we even searched online to get the specs about golf car axles. Honestly? I kept saying to the old guy next door, I'm not sure I've got it quite right.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

As we continued the patio stone back, we were thinking about rearranging the stone layout once the actual golf cart took its first drive along that golf cart path. We probably should have borrowed a golf cart as a demo of the design -- but no biggie as it would turn out!

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

The day we finished that stylish golf cart path design was pretty special. We had been implementing a design we had in our heads ... and modifying as we went.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

The stylish golf cart path, along with other design components, was looking pretty sharp. Lots of neighbors were out and about to see what we had done.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

In the photo above, you can see a view of the curving back yard garden that tied into the design.

Creating a Stylish Golf Cart Path in Side Yard
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL - FSBO

When the actual golf cart arrive and did its inaugural drive of the golf cart path, we found our intuition had been right. There needed to be a slight modification to the tire paths. Looking to the left of the photo, you can see brick pavers on the outside of the red patio stones. We moved that row of stone inward a couple of inches and then put brick pavers down the side to complement the brick pavers on the outside of the other tire lane. The other modification came months later when we modified the patio layout by pulling the brick pavers to put to the outside.

So, what do you think? When you can break your project into smaller design components, it becomes more manageable and is fun to see come together! Would you actually contemplate such a project?

If you love what you see, you can be the new owner of this stunning senior home in Lakes at Leesburg with the stylish golf cart path in the side yard. We are pleased to offer for sale by owner this cute cottage-style, senior home at 19 Tortuga Way in Leesburg, Florida.

Creating Curb Appeal in Side Yard

Do you have a side yard that is begging for some enhancements? Consider adding a garden area with stone and mulch to add some amazing curb appeal. We've previously shared the transformation of the front yard on this FSBO senior home in Lakes at Leesburg. Let us show you what we did in the side yard to tie the landscape design all together.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Side Yard Garden
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Initially, we started our side yard project at the back area next to the opening into the carport and then expanded it to the back adjacent to the shed. Along the side, next to the carport, we dug up an area about 18 inches wide to include red stone edgers and red lava rock. We then stopped that portion of the side yard improvement and jumped to the front curb area.

It was a wee bit challenging to decide how to handle the placement of the water meter as it was set a bit lower than the rest of the area. It took a little maneuvering with the stone edgers to create an "indented" area. We think this actually looks like one of the states -- perhaps a little Utah? 

Oh woe is me! This place needs some CURB APPEAL !!!
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Let us remind you of the lack of curb appeal before we got started transforming the exterior of this home! It is kind of amazing to see the finished result especially when you compare it to the before condition.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Side Yard Garden
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

The side yard area was handled as mini-projects -- kind of like little puzzle pieces that fit together to create one design. We initially planted Aztec grass and salvia in the front yard side garden. Heading to the back, in that side yard, we did a triangular garden area with more red mulch and red stone edgers. We opted to go triangular so that we could install a stone and rock patio area to connect to the golf cart path along the carport.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Side Yard Garden
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

In the triangular side yard garden, we planted sunflowers! For four consecutive years, we maintained sunflower gardens grown from seeds. The first year, in our Jacksonville back yard garden, we used four different variety of seeds -- mostly Burpee. The fourth year, the sunflowers were grown from the seeds of an amazing wine-colored Autumn Beauty sunflower.

After planting the sunflowers, we noticed little brown bunnies in the area. One morning, over half of the sunflower seedlings we had growing in our backyard garden were nibbled to the ground! The remaining seedlings were moved to this triangular garden and then surrounded by wire decorative edging and the red polka dot pinwheel. The bunnies seemed to leave these sunflowers alone ... but then the squirrels found them! What to do? We tried crumbled moth balls that were spread around the area.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Side Yard Garden of Sunflowers
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

In the photo above, you can see that the wine-colored Autumn Beauty sunflowers are doing well. Notice on the mulch around them how crumbled moth balls have been sprinkled there. It was a good deterrent to bunnies and squirrels.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Side Yard Garden of Sunflowers
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Of all the sunflowers that I have grown in my four sunflower gardens, the Autumn Beauty variety is my favorite. I also discovered that squirrels in Jacksonville AND Leesburg, Florida LOVE the Autumn Beauty blossoms! I'm not sure what it is about this variety -- perhaps the wine color?

Creating Curb Appeal with a Side Yard Garden of Sunflowers
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Once the Autumn Beauty sunflowers blossomed, the side yard curb appeal was pretty amazing. Neighbors were driving or walking by daily to check out the sunflowers. It is very satisfying to grow sunflowers from seeds ... I'd say my only "regret" -- if you can call it that -- is that sunflowers seem to have a life of little more than 90 days ... and then you need to start over. When the sunflower heads are read to cut from the plant to harvest seeds, I generally take out the plants.

Creating Curb Appeal with Front and Side Yard Gardens
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Here is a view of the property after exterior enhancements -- virtually EVERYTHING has been "touched" with a designer's brush to create a visually-stunning finished piece. Classic Burgundy painted accents draw the eye across the front of this property.

If you love what you see, you can be the new owner of this stunning senior home in Lakes at Leesburg. We are pleased to offer for sale by owner this cute cottage-style, senior home at 19 Tortuga Way in Leesburg, Florida.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Garden

Does your home lack curb appeal? Are you looking for a do-it-yourself project that can add amazing curb appeal? Why not start with a front yard garden? Let me share an after shot first.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

In this after shot above, the front yard garden was the first DIY outside yard project that was completed early in 2016. In the photo, you can also see that the house was painted along with the driveway. Now, take a look at the before-before photo!

Oh woe is me! This place needs some CURB APPEAL !!!
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Luckily for me, I didn't have to have that magnolia tree removed; the previous owners took it out along with the side yard bush and that bush near the lamp post. From the before photo, you can see that ANY work in the front yard would have surely been an improvement.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - First Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

FIRST DAY - On the first day of this DIY project, I moved the triangular area of patio stones to the back yard near the shed. I would later repurpose that stone to create an offset patio area. In all of my landscape projects, I take an area at a time and finish it off with mulch. In this project, I opted for better red mulch that would later complement the sage green color of the house.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES - Shovel, metal rake, hand cultivator, trowel, gloves, bags. Before you get started digging up grass and weeds, you should call 811 before you dig.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - Second Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

SECOND DAY - On the second day of this DIY project, the yard started to actually look like something good was going to happen!!! That area that was dug up this day was tough to deal with. I didn't realize that there was a plethora of nut grass throughout that area ... I was using the hand cultivator after I raked the dug up area. I would filter out the debris, by hand, to put in the trash bags. I was finding a lot of stringy nut grass that should have warranted more work!

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - Third Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

THIRD DAY - On the third day of this DIY project, I was working to try and finish an area across the front. You can see that red stone edgers encompass the finished area of the project along with red mulch. It was the second and third day of the garden project that neighbors were stopping me to ask, "what are you doing." I guess they hadn't seen any work done on this property in some time, so they were probably amazed!

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - Third Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Here is another view of day three of the DIY project from the street. I was noticing that the red mulch had a bit of a different color ... thinking maybe the older red mulch was drier. The red stone pavers add a nice finished look to the front yard garden.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - Fourth Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

FOURTH DAY - On the fourth day of this DIY project, I was starting to feel that the "end" was in sight for finishing off the area for the front yard accent garden. By this time, many neighbors had stopped to say something AND the park manager must have been summoned by a curious neighbor. He and I had a chat about the scope of that project and he drove off!!

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - Fourth Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

There's another photo of the fourth day of work ... thankfully, Home Depot is about one mile or less! And, driving a Jeep Patriot surely helps with these type of yard projects. I had to pick up more red mulch to finish off the dug-up area. Almost done! You may need some Aleve for your back -- like I did!

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - Fifth Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

FIFTH DAY - On the fifth day of this DIY project, I was more than a little thrilled to actually "turn the corner!" That meant I had reached the width of the front yard accent garden and was capping it off with the red stone edgers and then starting down the side of the house! You can see the "blank canvas" of the garden area.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - Fifth Day
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

I love DIY projects that are completed in under a week's time. For me, five consecutive days is a lot of exercise ... no need to go to the gym. It was the middle of January, 2016 when I finished preparing the front yard for the flower garden. Knowing that Florida can have a freeze into March, I waited until March 1st to start planting!

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - March 1st
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

PLANTING! It was March 1st and I was ready to start planting in that front yard accent garden. It was lucky for me that I ran into a fellow at Lowe's while picking up some stone. He said he had some of the red stone edgers and brick pavers that I could have along with Aztec grass. The 8 clumps of Aztec grass across the front of the garden were from his yard!

Early plants that went in included 4 Firecracker plants, 4 Gardenias, and a Confederate Star Jasmine with small trellis.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - March 5th
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

On March 5th, I added smaller flowering plants including Salvia, Kalanchoe, and assorted Dianthus. You can see rows of those flowering plants, left to right, with two rows of Dianthus nearer the house. To the far right, you can see a rectangular black flower pot that was used for cultivating sunflower seedlings.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - March 10th
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

By March 10th, I was growing sunflower seedlings to transplant to the front yard garden. And, I had taken time to trim up the bushes that are across the front of the Florida Room. I do a trimming of the branches to create a tree look.

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden - March 25th
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Approximately 2 weeks later, on March 25th, you can see that the Salvia are doing the best with the Dianthus looking healthy, but the Kalanchoe is hanging in there. The Confederate Star Jasmine has been growing pretty well too. Daily watering of the new plants is important the first week or two!

CREATING CURB APPEAL WITH A GARDEN!

Creating Curb Appeal with a Front Yard Garden
19 Tortuga Way, Leesburg, FL 34788

Fast forward to not quite a year later. Some red polka dot pinwheels along with solar garden lights were added to the front. The periwinkles did spread throughout the front yard garden. The Aztec grass was dug up and replaced with Mexican Petunias. The Salvia didn't make it; only 3 Kalanchoe remain. The Dianthus is doing OK. The 4 Firecracker plants are probably triple the original size if not bigger. Three of them are down the side area and one is near the driveway. The Confederate Star Jasmine is prospering, so much that a large metal trellis was added.

Curb appeal can do a lot for a home. In this case, we continued adding to the "curb appeal" by painting the house and driveway. Why not consider a front yard accent garden if you want some amazing curb appeal?