The Chris Lambton FANSITE  

Cape's Chris Lambton branches out with own show

By Eric Williams

also by Jason Kolnos

[email protected]

January 13, 2012

Former “Bachelorette” star Chris Lambton’s new show, “Going Yard,” debuts in April.

Cape Cod Times/Merrily Cassidy

Tony and Kellie Oliveira had their backyard renovated by an HGTV crew as part of Chris Lambton's new TV show. Kellie Oliveira is pictured here with the couple's 16-month-old son, Brycen.

Cape Cod Times/Merrily Cassidy

Former "Bachelorette" star Chris Lambton, pictured here in a tree at his Dennis home on Wednesday, has a new show, "Going Yard," that will air on HGTV.

Cape Cod Times/Merrily Cassidy

DENNIS — He was weeded out of "The Bachelorette," but Chris Lambton has found a way to grow his television career on a new landscaping show.

The program, "Going Yard," set to premiere in April on the HGTV network, transforms neglected backyards and capitalizes on Lambton's years of experience as a landscaper.

"This is right in my wheelhouse," said Lambton, 34, during an interview in his Dennis backyard Wednesday.

Fixing up yards on TV seems a more natural fit for Lambton. It's got to be more comfortable than his last gig, where he tried to woo his way into a possible wedding in front of all the bright lights of network television.

While Lambton doesn't regret appearing on "The Bachelorette" in 2010, he generally sticks to sports when watching the tube. "I don't like reality TV," he said. "I try to stay away from it."

And while a "Bachelorette" romance didn't bloom for Lambton, love came a'knocking shortly thereafter. He is engaged to Peyton Wright, a former finalist on "The Bachelor," and the two are set to tie the knot in Charleston, S.C., in May, Lambton said.

Wright also will appear on "Going Yard," along with other Lambton family members, assisting with design projects and helping homeowners throw the first party in their new backyards. "Every yard needs a woman's touch, and that's where she comes in," said Lambton, co-owner of E. Lambton Landscaping.

The former reality star said his strategy for revamping these woebegone yards is simple: Create an aesthetically pleasing space that's easy to maintain. He doesn't want homeowners to fret about having to spend countless hours on yardwork or dollars on returning landscapers.

"With his landscaping expertise and easygoing, approachable personality, Chris is an exciting addition to HGTV's growing family of experts," said Kathleen Finch, general manager of HGTV, in a recent statement.

The show will take place in Cape yards, as well as locales elsewhere in the U.S.

One local family is sure to plant itself in front of the TV set this spring. Tony and Kellie Oliveira had the backyard of their South Yarmouth home renovated in the fall for "Going Yard."

A crew spent five days sprucing up their weed-infested yard, which Kellie Oliveira said was "a mess." The HGTV renovations on the couple's first house, bought two years ago, included a new deck, fencing, a fireplace and a small playground for their son.

"They pretty much took over our house like a hurricane and left us with a beautiful yard," said Kellie Oliveira.

Lambton said adding a fire pit on a patio is one of his favorite accoutrements for a backyard, because it can be used year-round. "People like to congregate around it, have some drinks in the afternoon, enjoy the nice summer nights."

Lambton also offered some advice to local folks who want to revitalize their backyards on a shoestring budget. Colorful hydrangeas, a flowering plant that thrives in sandy soil, could make all the difference. "If you get the ornamental beach grass and hydrangeas, it makes your yard look Cape Coddy," said Lambton.

For information about how you can apply for your property to be featured on "Going Yard," visit www.hgtv.com. Watch a video of Lambton dishing about his new show at www.capecodonline.com/capecast.

Staff photographer Merrily Cassidy contributed to this report.