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Landscape Design

Need HELP with Back Yard Landscaping

17 years ago

I need something different with my back yard right now it is dirt lots of dirt. I have children and pets so it would have to be back yard friendly to both. I have been looking around for ideas now for sometime and I can not come up with anything. I have an above ground pool and a swing set and the rest is dirt. I would love to put something in my back yard that would be nice for the kids to play and enjoy and with some shade. I have just not be able to come up with anything.

If anyone has ideas I have pictures so that you can see what it looks like.

Thanks to everyone with any help

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Comments (4)

amazon
17 years ago
I guess I would start with grass seed before all the weeds take residence in your yard. Bermuda is tough and drought resistant
mohavemaria
17 years ago
Amazon is right about Bermuda being tough and drought resistant. It would also be kid and pet friendly but it does have a dark side. It is extremely invasive which is okay if you don't mind it taking over your back yard, it is hard to get rid of if you later decide you don't want it, and it does go dormant in the winter. Just look before you leap with Bermuda.

You didn't mention what part of Nevada you live in. I live in Las Vegas but conditions are so different in the Northern part of the state that plant selections would be very different. You sound like you want shade and of course there are shade structures available all over or great shade trees wherever you live.

I think to get good help here you are going to need to be more specific. Do you want a lawn for the kids or would you rather have gravel or mulch for a ground cover. Do you want a tree for shade or would you rather have an arbor. Only you can answer those questions.

Good Luck, Maria
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I cannot see the picture really well, but it looks like it might work for a kind of secret Garden. Although I have a niece in Denver, I haven't talked to her about what grows there. I know www.highcountrygardens.com has plants that are for your area. They have some good ideas. When you want to xeriscape, do you mean you want that to be a low watering area? What I found has helped me is that I look at the space and try to imagine the colors, shapes and sizes of plants I want...combine that with the amount of sun and how much water it will get. Then I have a good idea what I am looking for before going to the nursery. It might also help to start from the back (taller plants) and work forward...kind of like painting a picture. I used to go to the nursery and pick plants I liked, then got home and had no place to put them! Study the shape and color of plants you like, then take it to the nursery and ask if they have one with sim shape and colors that would work in your situation. I am sorry I cannot suggest specific plants. I am in Southern CA and we are Hot & Dry and I have alot of sun! One plant that I would love to put in a Rock Garden like setting is a Mugo Pine... it is such an interesting looking shrub. Maybe an Alpine looking Rock Garden would look good? Another direction... if you added a decorative Arbor and maybe something like a Clematis... would the plant get sun, as it climbed? There are alot of varieties and the roots like shade and the rest likes sun. With it being a fairly shady area, you way want bright colors or at least some bright green or yellow folliage to brighten it up. Another thing I have learned is that low water use and drought tollerant are 2 differant things. Others may laugh and think I am silly for not realizing this, but as a beginner (which I feel I will always be...as I keep learning new things) it has me confused. It really looks like it will be a pretty little corner when you are done. One more thing...a flagstone path would be cute...be sure to have a focal point (Bright flowers, sculpture, bench)at the end. They always look better if the look like they are taking you someplace interesting
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It's a fact ... you'll not be able to get rid of the mess until you create a permanent, hard walk where there is now mulch. The magnolia roots are going to make it harder, but it must be done if there is to be a cure. I agree with others that something like concrete (simplest and cheapest) or pavers/brick are suitable. A walk laid out to acknowledge the tree will look and work better than one that doesn't. The bench only makes sense if there is a way to get to it ... i.e., use it. But because of Magnolia roots, it would add a lot of difficulty extending the walk to the bench. Therefore, I'd recommend using the bench elsewhere and having only plantings at the front of the house. Consider using a groundcover like Asiatic Jasmine to cover the magnolia roots.
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zone is not enough ... we need a location.. big city name ... do you know your soil??? what direction does the front door face ... are the only shade trees the one on the left .... if there is clear sky above.. im not sure i would even call this part shade .. if this is a winter pic.. do you have a summer pic to see such?? winner winner chicken dinner is done.. more tomorrow ken
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irene_dsc
17 years ago
I'm in a completely different climate than you, but I do have kids. ;) How old are yours? What do they enjoy? Sports, gardening, digging, climbing, lounging...

One of my kids' (2 yo & 5 yo) favorites is our sandbox. We don't have a swingset or pool, however. They also like helping with my garden, but mainly playing and admiring the flowers, lol. Another nice thing is a shady spot to sit and watch them play. I'm assuming in Nevada, shade is even more important than here!

Also, do they have or want a flat surface for playing ball or riding bikes? Tho, that would tend to reflect heat, too.

Just throwing out ideas...
popi_gw
17 years ago
When my children where little I had a sandpit, which had a cover on it. That was great for little ones.

Later on we got into growing food plants, that was wonderful for young school kiddies.

I have had a trampoline, which is good for when they have friends over, when they are a bit older, and can be trusted. They all go out and sit on that and leave the house intact.

Now, my son is 14, and he has a bike area, and a small basketball area with a hoop. Thats also good for when he has friends over.

Grass is a good place for you to start.

When my daughter was little, baby to todler, we spent most days in the garden, sitting on the grass, looking at flowers, leaves, making things out of them, gazing at the sky.

Think laterally, and you will come up with some good ideas, good on you, for wanting to improve your garden for your children, its a wonderful idea.

Popi

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