Debora’s Backyard Redemption: A Tale of One Yard’s Journey From Frightful to Fabulous

Each yard has its own tale. Some are bright places where good times grow. Others get lost and left alone, hoping for a new start. This is the tale of one such yard — and the woman who chose to save it. Meet Debora Sterling. She has lived in Springfield for years. But her backyard was too much to handle. It was wild, messy, and no longer showed the kindness of the woman who lived there.

Debora did not know things would soon change for her. A local contest was held. Thanks to a unique local contest and expert landscape design and yard care, her backyard was set to move from a sad place to a bright new one. Graham Landscape and Design proudly partnered with KVAL 13 Oregon to launch a backyard makeover contest like no other — a chance to win a full landscape maintenance and makeover package.

The contest was for people who own homes in Lane, Linn, Douglas, and Coos Counties. Many people sent in pictures of their yards. Some yards looked wild. Some had broken stones. Every picture had a tale. Some were fun. Some showed hard times. Soon, the whole town talked about yard work, lawn care, and how much we all love nice yards. The team spent many hours looking at all the photos and reading the stories. On April 14, 2025, they chose a winner.

Debora stood out. Debora’s tale was strong. She never had a chance to do the yard let alone clean a bit as she was sick. She wished for a space to rest and to love her yard once more. It was not just a place out back she looked for — it was a safe home. Her words touched the group, and soon all knew: Debora Sterling would be the one who won this year.

Three of Graham Landscape and Design finest crew members stepped up to the challenge, bringing with them years of expertise in landscape maintenance, lawn care, and yard cleanup. The process was no small feat!

Debora stood by as the yard changed. The change took their breath away. Some who lived close came to watch. They knew how the yard used to look. Now, they could not believe what it was turning into. Joy, hugs, and tears were there with them, all in one place. A plain patch behind the house was now full of new life. The ground, once dull, grew with hope. The air, once still, was filled with bright sounds and smiles.

When everything is set, Debora’s backyard was no longer a burden — it was a welcoming retreat. With perfectly planned yard care, the space was completely reborn.

This contest was a testament to the power of community, the generosity of local partnerships, and the incredible stories hiding in backyards everywhere.

Thank you to everyone who entered, to our hard working crew, and to our partners at KVAL 13 Oregon for making it possible. And for those still peeking out at frightful yards — stay tuned. Another chance to win a full landscape design, lawn care, and yard cleanup transformation might be just around the corner.

Take a look at the property's transformation — before and after: