Many people would probably say it’s not worth the effort. Or simply a waste of time and money. But for me, having the perfect lawn is a matter of pride. I want my yard to be the best in the neighborhood.

This spring I started transforming it from an unkempt mess by focusing on the front landscaping and the cracked concrete walk and steps. The previous owners left the concrete driveway in great condition (it was installed in 2004) but the plants in front and walk/steps left a lot to be desired.

That’s why in April I decided it was time to do something about it. I had finished painting every room in the house over the winter, but largely neglected the outside since we moved last July.

On the recommendation of my landscaper, I hired Darhele Associates to install a brick-and-flagstone walk on top of my existing concrete walk and steps. I’ve always wanted a walk like this from the time my parents had one installed when I was a kid. It’s amazing how much it can add to the look of the home.

Once work was done on the walk and steps, it was time to rip out the hodgepodge of plants that had outgrown the space in front of our house. We wanted much smaller plants that were easier to manage. The island with our crab apple tree was in disrepair and needed something to spruce it up. The logical place to go was Hybla Valley Nursery, which did the work at our previous home, and is just a few minutes away.

Now, as we enter fall, it was time to turn my attention to the grass. Part of my yard was covered with Zoysia grass, a very thick grass that turns brown in the winter. Because it doesn’t cover the entire yard, it’s not exactly the most attractive grass for the winter months (especially when we don’t have snow to cover it). In the back yard, the grass has receded in many spots and dirt is all that remains.

It didn’t much matter this summer. My son can’t even crawl yet, let alone walk. But by the time spring rolls around, I know we’ll be spending much more time outdoors on the grass. I didn’t want him playing in mud patches.

To help get my yard in picture-perfect condition, I hired Horticultural Solutions. Over the past couple of weeks, my Zoysia has died (as you can see from the picture). Although my yard is unsightly now, it had to get worse before it got better. Later this week the yard with get a “power seeding,” where the grass seed is sprayed underneath the soil.

I’m doing all of this knowing that my son will probably follow in my footsteps. When I was young, I made a batter’s box and pitcher’s mound in my parents’ backyard. And like any loving father, my Dad let me do it, knowing that there’s something more important than the perfect lawn — the imagination of a child.