06/05/2026
! Outdoor educators Arin and Max bought their Midcity home with the goal of removing the concrete that covered the backyard. It was hot and boring, they couldn't grow any of Arin's beloved native plants, and there was no space for their pups, Emmy and Norma, to be pups. With a limited budget, they took it upon themselves. "I decided to do it myself because I wanted to...Know what it would be like?" 🏡💡
And it wasn't too bad! They rented a jackhammer, which came with a video for first-time users. Though Arin did most of the concrete removal herself, they used it as a feature at their housewarming party so their friends could help, too! "I didn't make it a priority, but everyone was like, 'hell yeah.'" 20-30 people cycled through to help out to remove around 1/3 of the concrete in an approximately 20x30 ft yard. Grays Hauling and Delivering disposed of it all. ⚒
Arin works in City Park, and learned there how to go about the gardening. She sourced plants from Pelican Greenhouse and . She also used plant ID apps to figure out what plants ("w**ds") were popping up on their own, and left the beneficial natives as she removed the invasives. 🌱
She advises other DIYers that it's okay if your project doesn't all get done at once. Hers took about six months! And also, to not be afraid to not have a grass lawn. "Your dogs will be fine, you can enjoy your space without grass. I built a fire pit out there, you can have a gathering space without grass." 🐕🐾
What's it like now? "Lord, I love it. I spend so much time outside now, way more time than I spent before. It's a lot cooler, and now that it's getting to be summer, I can tell the difference from last summer. The reflection off the concrete was creating so much heat. And my dogs are a lot happier. The minute the plants got put down, they were excited to play and run around. When there was concrete, there were huge puddles. Now, there's no water. All the rain is being soaked up." 😎🌦🌞
Congrats, Arin! It's a gorgeous space.
