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pds290

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pds290 answered a question: Love the chairs! Where are they from?
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ksenco

+1

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pds290
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pds290 commented on a discussion: Help for backyard space!
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pds290

You mention that you’ll be making the changes slowly, but I would recommend making a plan for the whole space now, that you can implement over time. As others mention, more photos of the rest of the space (particularly looking back toward the house) would be helpful, as would some idea of your climate. Draw a map of your garden, with dimensions, and post it here. Where are you located? Do you know your gardening zone? How do you want to use the space? Do you want a seating area? Do you want to grow edibles? Flowers? How much time do you want to spend taking care of a garden? Think about how you want to use the space.

In the meantime, here are some initial thoughts:

  • remove the collar around the base of your tree. The tree has outgrown it and it’s not needed by the tree.
  • it looks like someone put a sort of trellis along the brick wall. Since the brick wall is more attractive than the cinder blocks, I would think about growing something either climbing on a trellis or something tall on the other side of the garden instead.
  • as callirhoe123 mentioned above, I think your choices are being limited by the current stone border and even the path. Although it looks like it would be quite a project to remove the stones, I would plan for that over time. If you want to be able to enter the back area that you asked about, they are currently a tripping hazard.
  • a good rule of thumb when planning a garden is to create pathways (or design raised beds) so that you can reach into your gardening space from the path and not stand on the soil that you’re working on. With this in mind, that area of soil would be subdivided or designed into smaller spaces that could be reached for weeding, picking flowers, deadheading, etc.
  • that soil looks pretty compacted, and not much is growing there. Before you put in any plants that you care about, plan to spend some time and money preparing the soil with compost, etc. There is lots of information on line about how to do this.
  • while privacy would be nice, it looks like much of your sun is coming from that direction, so you’ll have to balance privacy with a need for sun, unless you plant shade loving plants.
  • Finally, your local garden center will be very helpful if you go in when they’re not too busy, especially if you bring photographs of the space. Your local extension service can help you learn about what your soil needs to be healthy.
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PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images

I would go with some shrubs



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Yvette W

Here are some more photos of the back of the yard near the house. Also, near the garage in the back. I'm in New York City, zone 7.

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pds290 likes a discussion: Reading any good garden books?
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violetsnapdragon

Okay, don't laugh, but I was watching this youtube video where Bunny Williams was giving a tour of her home and the camera panned to a stack of books and this one was on top, so I went to ebay and ordered a copy. I figured if it was good enough for Bunny, it was good enough for me! It hasn't arrived, so I can't review it--just wanted to add to the conversation.


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nandina

My offering is "hot off the press" and a must read for those interested in vegetable garden history. THE SEED DETECTIVE, "Uncovering the secret histories of remarkable vegetables" by Adam Alexander."

This book is a treasure! It is an important and rare, well written book which belongs in your horticultural library to be thumbed over and over again. You will understand 'why' when you read it. Paperback. Amazon, $20.00.

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