Yeah, we’re those neighbors—busy inside the house (and juggling a baby), so our yard has been neglected. The mailbox area had turned into a small weed jungle. Here’s the scene before we started:
Peeking out of the overgrowth was a little iron squirrel left by the previous owners.
His name is Norman. I know it sounds silly, but I like him and sometimes pretend to pet him.
The first step of this quick mailbox makeover was obvious: weeding. We hadn’t pulled these around the post in about six months, so the job was overdue.
I filled a bucket five times with the plants sprouting around the base of the mailbox post and cleared the tangled mess.
To reduce future maintenance, we laid landscaping fabric over the cleared area. Regular weeding isn’t our strong suit, so a barrier made sense.
From Lowe’s we picked up two inexpensive pots of fast-growing petunias. They bloom all summer and spread outward, which should fill the mulched area without having to buy a dozen different plants.
We cut small X-shaped slits in the landscaping fabric and planted the petunias so their roots could grow underneath while limiting weeds coming back through the openings.
After planting, we added a thin layer of topsoil to help the plants settle and finished with a generous layer of mulch to retain moisture and tidy the area. I’m excited to watch these petunias spread and fill the space with blooms.
Note: in one of the photos you might notice a gray patch on the post—those are our house numbers edited out for privacy. We also obscured our alarm sign in the images. As parents who share parts of our home online, we prefer to keep certain details private for safety. Our alarm company also recommended not publishing their name online, which we appreciated; they take security seriously.
The mailbox originally had three metal signs: an old electric fence sign that’s no longer relevant, plus two alarm signs hung on either side of the mailbox arm. We decided to remove the redundant signs and reinstall a single alarm sign near the base of the post for a cleaner look.
After removing the signs, I started taking down the electric fence sign—then noticed something unsettling hiding behind it.
There was a wasp or hornet’s nest tucked under the removed signs. I gave it space and it didn’t bother me, thankfully, but we planned to remove it later that day.
Update: That evening the nest appeared unattended, so I suited up in protective clothing and used a long yardstick to knock it down from a distance. Nothing flew out when it fell; the nest seemed empty. I stomped it a few times to be safe. The nest is gone and I’m relieved. We’ll keep an eye on the post to make sure the insects don’t return, especially now that the cover provided by multiple signs is gone.
With only one alarm sign mounted at the base, the mailbox looked much tidier. Someday I might repaint the mailbox in an oil-rubbed bronze or refresh the post with a glossy coat, but for now the cleaned-up planting and mulch make a noticeable difference.
Also, the little birdhouse on the back of the post is home to a family of birds that fly out when we get the mail—charming company for our newly neat mailbox area.
And yes, Norman the squirrel is still on duty. He’s sitting happily among the fresh mulch and blooming petunias.
So it wasn’t a full curb appeal overhaul, but this quick project transformed the mailbox from an embarrassment into a simple, tidy spot that’s easier to maintain.
Have you made any small yard updates recently? Tried weed-block fabric around a mailbox or discovered a quirky lawn decoration you’ve grown to love? Or had a face-to-face with a bee or wasp nest? Share your experiences—quick improvements can make a big difference.