Whether you grow a lush oasis on your apartment balcony, get your hands dirty at a nearby community garden, or have the nicest lawn on the block, cultivating your own outdoor space is one of life's simplest, yet satisfying pleasures.

When the PDXtoday team isn't putting together your favorite daily newsletter, chances are they're outside giving their yards a little TLC. They shared a few thoughts about what goes down when the laptops turn off and the gloves go on.

There's always something to do. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

City Editor Ben

Favorite part: Gravel fire pit area that we built from the ground up.
Newest addition: Pumpkin seeds sprouting beneath the apple tree in the front yard.
What still needs work: The shed requires a new roof and floor; it'll be quite a project.

City Editor Cambrie

Favorite part: A growing collection of English roses, no-till garden beds we designed with soft angles, and large areas left mostly natural to support wildlife.
Newest addition: A blueberry patch and an expanded cutting flower garden.
What still needs work: Everything! But mostly I still need to mulch a couple of beds and build a trellis arch for two new climbing roses.

Now we want to hear from you. Answer these questions and leave us additional comments to join our bulletin of back (or front) yard beauty.