Let me paint a picture: It’s early spring. The snow’s melted. Rain’s coming in every other day. I glance out the back window and—yep—there it is again.

The annual swamp.

Our backyard turns into a squishy, puddled mess every spring. It’s the same low spot behind the garage. Grass dies, mud takes over, and even the dog gives it a wide berth. I’ve joked about putting in a koi pond, but this year it wasn’t funny—it was starting to seep toward the foundation.

That’s when I finally Googled “yard drainage help near Mayfield Heights” and landed on this drainage page from Fox Landscaping: 👉 https://foxlandscapingohio.com/mayfield-heights-oh/drainage/

I’ll be honest: I didn’t even know what kind of drainage issue we had. French drain? Dry well? Grading problem? I was completely out of my depth. But Fox’s page broke it down in plain English. They walk through the signs—standing water, runoff paths, erosion, downspout disasters. It was like reading a medical chart of my backyard.

I learned that what we probably need is a regrading and maybe a catch basin. The slope near our garage is a little too flat, and the downspouts aren’t helping. The water just collects and sits there. Forever.

What I really appreciated about the page, though, wasn’t just the explanation—it was the local know-how. They’re familiar with Mayfield Heights yards. They know how heavy our spring rains can get and how the clay soil holds water like a sponge.

I haven’t made the call yet. But I’m no longer pretending the problem will fix itself. I’m saving that page, mapping out the yard, and planning to get a proper assessment before fall hits and everything freezes again.

Funny how something as boring as drainage—literally the invisible work underground—can make such a huge difference in how you enjoy your space. And protect your home, too.

So if you’ve got a lawn that squelches underfoot or a “pond” that wasn’t part of the landscaping plan... trust me, you’re not alone. Start by understanding what’s going on beneath the surface.

And maybe keep the koi pond idea on the back burner. Just in case.

This summer, we’ve been spending a lot more time in the backyard—partly because of the long evenings, partly because our kids are obsessed with roasting marshmallows (even when it’s 85° out).

But here's the thing: our backyard isn’t exactly fire pit friendly. The “patio” is just an old slab of cracked concrete that tilts ever so slightly toward the house (yay, water pooling), and the rest is a slope that turns into mud after any decent rain. Still, I keep imagining a fire pit zone—maybe with some built-in seating, stone pavers, even some subtle lighting so it doesn’t feel like we’re camping in the dark.

I didn’t know what kind of project this was—hardscaping? Landscaping? Both? So I started poking around and came across a super helpful page from Fox Landscaping all about their hardscaping services in University Heights. You can check it out here: https://foxlandscapingohio.com/university-heights-oh/hardscaping/

What I liked right away is that they get how yards like mine function (or don’t). They talked about solving drainage problems with retaining walls, using pavers for patios that actually last, and creating spaces that people use—not just admire from the window. They even mentioned dealing with sloped yards, which made me feel seen.

One line stuck with me: “We’re not just building patios—we’re creating outdoor living structures tailored to how you want to enjoy your yard.” Yes. That’s what I want. Not just a pretty picture but a space that invites us out there. A fire pit we can gather around on crisp fall nights, a path that connects the patio to the rest of the yard (without slipping in the mud), and a place that feels like an extension of the house.

They had some ideas I hadn’t even considered—like seating walls around the fire pit (so I’m not constantly dragging chairs out) and edging that keeps mulch and gravel in their lane. Plus, the idea of a low-maintenance space? Music to my ears.

We’re not quite ready to hire a crew, but the page gave me a clearer picture of what to ask for, what to avoid, and what kind of design might actually work with our weird yard layout. It’s not just about fire pits anymore—it’s about making the space feel easy, usable, and maybe even a little magical at night.

I’m keeping this one in my bookmarks. Because the day after we cleaned up the yard, the kids asked if we could “do s’mores again”... and I had to say no because everything was still wet and mushy. I don’t want to say no next time.

I blame the neighbors.

They had a little get-together last weekend—nothing fancy, just some string lights, good music, and people gathered around a firepit. And I was hit with that familiar feeling of “why doesn’t our backyard look like that?”

We have space. We have a grill. We even have one of those metal fire pits (rusting a bit, but still works). But we don’t have a place. No real patio. Just grass and a cracked concrete slab leftover from some mystery past project.

That night, I started searching “affordable patio ideas” and ended up reading this Solon Hardscaping page from Fox Landscaping: 👉 https://foxlandscapingohio.com/solon-oh/hardscaping/

I’ve heard the term “hardscaping” before, but I never thought about how much it really defines the feel of a yard. It’s not just the patio or path—it’s the foundation of your outdoor living space. Fox Landscaping breaks it down beautifully. They talk about how hardscaping ties everything together: the seating, the firepit, the plant beds, even the lighting. Without it, it’s just... grass and furniture.

Their page has a whole section on materials—pavers, stone, gravel—and the design possibilities. What really caught my eye was the way they use levels and edges. You can build little retaining walls to double as benches. You can shape the flow of a space without walls or fences. I had no idea how creative you could get with something like a patio.

And the best part? They’re local. Solon’s not far, and knowing they’ve done work that stands up to our weather and soil is reassuring.

I started sketching ideas that night (badly, with a dull pencil and an old envelope). A square paver patio. A short wall behind the fire pit. Maybe even a pergola if I’m feeling bold.

I told myself this was just daydreaming. But now I’m measuring things. I’m noticing how the late-afternoon sun hits the yard. I’m dragging lawn chairs around to “test” different layouts. I might even get quotes (shh—don’t tell my budget).

Fox’s hardscaping page turned that flicker of envy into something way more exciting: a plan. Or at least a really, really good Pinterest board.

So if you ever find yourself staring out at your lumpy lawn and wondering what it could be—maybe start with some stones and a solid idea. It might not be just a patio. It might be the start of your favorite place in the house.

This might sound dramatic, but our side yard has been annoying me for years.

It’s this long, narrow stretch between the house and the fence—too small for anything useful, too big to ignore. It’s mostly weedy grass, an old hose reel, and whatever random toys the kids forget to bring in. I’ve always chalked it up as “dead space.” But last weekend, while trying to wrangle the hose for the millionth time, I looked at it and thought: this could actually be something.

Not a big, sweeping transformation. Just... better. A gravel path, maybe. Some tall ornamental grasses. A couple of lights. Something that feels intentional instead of neglected.

While falling down a rabbit hole of backyard ideas, I landed on this page from Fox Landscaping—specifically their landscaping services in University Heights. Here's the link if you're curious: https://foxlandscapingohio.com/university-heights-oh/landscaping/

They talked about “reclaiming underused corners of a yard”—which basically describes my entire situation. But what really grabbed me was how they approach design by thinking about how people actually use their space. It’s not about cramming in as many plants as possible. It’s about flow. About solving problems like drainage, shady corners, or awkward walkways.

It made me realize I’d been looking at my side yard all wrong. I thought the only options were lawn or mulch. But what if it was a peaceful path with herbs along the edge? What if I added a bench halfway down, under the lilac tree that somehow still thrives out there?

Fox’s page had me rethinking the whole layout of our backyard—not just this narrow strip. Their approach is super practical (they mention things like grading and sun patterns) but still creative. I loved that they suggest native plants and seasonal planning. Like, this isn’t just about spring—your yard should have interest in July and November, too.

They even brought up something I hadn’t considered: how landscape design can actually add value to your home. Not that I’m planning to sell anytime soon, but it made me feel better about possibly investing in something more permanent than a few stepping stones from the hardware store.

What started as a minor irritation (seriously, I tripped on the hose again) has turned into a full-blown inspiration spiral. I’m sketching ideas on scrap paper, playing with sun tracking apps, and casually dropping hints to my partner like, “Wouldn’t a stone path look nice here?”

We’ll see where it goes. Maybe it’s just a mood. Or maybe, this summer, that sad stretch of weeds becomes my favorite new shortcut through the yard.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about that awkward patch of yard behind our garage.

You know the one—it’s got just enough space to feel like it should be something useful, but right now it’s just patchy grass, a couple of busted stepping stones, and an old planter that’s slowly becoming compost. I keep imagining what it could be instead: a cozy nook with a stone path, some soft lighting, and maybe even a raised bed full of herbs and pollinator plants.

But I’ll be honest. I had no clue where to even start. Every time I thought about what to plant or how to fix the drainage (yeah, there’s a low spot that turns into a swamp every time it rains), I just closed the tab and made a sandwich instead.

This weekend, though, I finally took a deeper dive. I ended up on this page from Fox Landscaping — their Highland Heights landscaping services. It’s here: https://foxlandscapingohio.com/highland-heights-oh/landscaping/

I wasn’t looking for a landscaper—just ideas. But reading about how they approach outdoor spaces made me realize why nothing I did before ever “clicked.” They talk about tailoring each design around drainage patterns, light, and how people actually use their yard. That last one got me. I’ve been trying to turn that corner into a wildflower bed, but I never even considered that I walk through that space a lot to take out the trash. No wonder nothing sticks.

One thing I liked: they don’t just dump some plants and call it a day. They dig into grading issues, long-term maintenance goals, and even factor in things like shade and soil type. I mean, duh, right? But it made me think: I’ve been trying to force this tiny slice of backyard to be something it’s not.

Now I’m wondering—what if that corner became more like a shaded sitting area with some low-maintenance evergreens? Maybe a crushed gravel base, a few large stones, a couple of chairs. Something quiet. Something I’d actually use.

It also gave me some hope. The page mentioned using native plants that thrive here in Northeast Ohio—stuff that doesn’t need babying and won’t get fried by the sun (or drown in spring). They even talk about solving the exact type of drainage problem I’m dealing with.

Not saying I’m ready to pull the trigger on a full project, but I might actually do a real consultation—just to see what a pro sees that I don’t. And maybe—just maybe—I’ll stop standing at the kitchen window sighing at that patch of sadness and start seeing a space that feels like mine.