There was a gap in the mixed border along one side of my yard, close to my neighbor's porch, and I wanted privacy so I planted some Emerald Green Arborvitaes along there. They were pretty big, six-eight feet tall, in 10 gallon pots. Like Saypoint, I planted them approx. 3.5 feet apart on center and about 4 feet from the lot line. This may look far apart if the trees are very small when you plant them, but it won't be once they're larger. When they are mature, I am hoping they touch and feather together a bit but don't crowd each other. I also planted them in a sort of loose zig-zag pattern instead of straight in a row. I don't like straight lines and rigid geometric shapes in the yard, prefer a more naturalized appearance. I am also planting a mix of deciduous and evergreen shrubbery, and perennials in front of the Arborvitae, so essentially they are going to serve as a green backdrop.

Well, we're meeting a landscape designer on Saturday...but I was thinking of a red/purple/white/orange color scheme, sort of like this (color wise.) We are going for the whole english/cottage garden vibe. This is a pretty accurate depiction of the house color (at least on my monitor, ha) I does it matter that the entrance to the yard, where those new steps are, will have an arbor with a moon gate? (painted white.) Well since I wouldn't want the fence that is facing out to the street (what I see from outside the yard) and what is next to the house, or the shed, to be painted brown or some natural color, could I just paint the portion behind the trumpet vine something to blend in? I wish I had better pictures to show but really I think my only options for the outside fence and shed/gate are either the house or trim color. It would look odd otherwise. Maybe if it wasn't too weird they could be black. Or the shed could be black. I spent weeks slaving over the house color. I thought this was going to be easier. ;-)

I use the process in the article referenced by " pretty_saab"with a slight variation/s. I dome the, vinyl ad-mix, concrete at the posts to prevent the affect of ponding which van occur from soil subsidence, wash the posts with vinegar, prime, using a string line mount the brackets. The field posts are sleeved/enclosed with 1x and 2x for posts where gates are installed. There are any number of capitols available for the post tops, or you can fashion your own.

One responder below smugly quipped; "I'm not a privacy freak," not so gently inferring people that prefer much greater privacy are somehow psychologically lesser beings. Well, obviously I have a bit of a problem with such a haughty attitude, but I certainly prefer a world where people are free to speak their mind openly - even if I greatly dislike their opinion. A short time ago, my built a small extension to his home to increase the space of their master bedroom. A weekend job (zero permitting). He is a very skilled contractor in several trades, so I have zero concerns of myself being affected whatsoever. As far as the permitting part, this was an unsolicited disclosure from my neighbor, as he well knows I truly don't give a damn about that. The problem is, he installed two 3x5 foot Windows on a side of his home that directly face my FORMERLY p-r-i-v-a-t-e back yard. No windows existed on this end of his home had previously existed whatsoever. Said wall is roughly 6 feet from our shared property/fence line. AND his property is on the high side of a gentle upward sloping part of our neighborhood (they now look down on us - much like prison guards). It is extremely uncomfortable for my wife and . I perfectly appreciate (assumption my own) he and his wife's desire to get more light into that part of their home. I get that. However, they can see straight into our once very private back yard, straight into the many windows on our home that are adjacent to his new windows, and literally straight into our master bedroom door clear to the opposite side of my home. Did they think to consult us beforehand? Don't know. I do know, , they DID NOT consult me first - that is all. The ONLY solution I have is to build a 9.5 foot fence with horizontal varied slats to at least allow some light toward their new windows. They are very nice neighbors and I have no desire to throw a monkey wrench into a fine relationship. neither do I detest myself so much as to believe I must "turn the other cheek" and just let it slide. I will not simply lay down and take gut kicks - even if they were somewhat unconsciously administered!