I really am going to have to get a little inexpensive digital camera. I would love to 'document' the growth of my garden, since I have been putting more effort into it this year than I ever have. I also would like to take more pictures of my little six month old chihuahua puppy. I am flattered that people want to see pics of my yard! Of course gardens are never 'finished', but I feel my front yard is at least 2/3 done--the major bones of the garden are there. I had to do major renovations to alot of my beds this year. When I bought my house about 6 years ago, there was woods next door. A couple of years ago they built a new house next to mine and they really built it high on a mound of sand. Now all the water from their yard drains into the side of mine right into my bed that juts out so far into the yard. I had to install a french drain system and rip out most of the plants in the bed. I had a loquat and sago palm that had to be thrown out because they had been so stunted from constantly sitting in water. I am happy to report my new drain works like a dream. I incorporated tons of composted horse manure into my bed and the dirt is now fluffy and black--it smells like the damp forest floor. I have two Red abyssinian bananas there now, underplanted with yellow shrimp, pink abutilon, black n blue salvia and salvia coccinea, a Charles Grimaldi brug that seems to grow a foot a day, dragon wing begonias, a Surinam calliandra, and pink red and white polka dot plants. I have two white oleanders toward the back to form a screen with the neighbors and provide a backdrop for the smaller plantings. I have drifts of calla and daylilies throughout the bed. However, my backyard is still pretty much a blank canvas. The dirt here where I live just north of N. Orleans is loam with big pockets of slippery gray clay. It can make an excellent heavy soil, but only with tons of work. Since I have found some stables nearby that offer a whole truckload of manure for only $15, I now have a great source of organic material. I just don't feel like digging down through all those tree roots and all that clay to make new beds. I thought about trying the lasagna method and layer cardboard and newspaper and overlaying with the manure and whatever other organics I can get. Next to my patio, the grass never seems to grow, so I'd like to extend the patio with those concrete pavers all the box stores carry, I'm just afraid I wouldn't be able to get the ground level enough to make it look professional. Unfortunately this area and my whole side yard gets sopping wet when it rains. The side yard is also bare and is screaming for a path down the middle with plantings on either side! I will try to get a camera ASAP to get ya'll ideas!

Okay @Yardvaark, I like your idea! I frankly never thought about just decking out the slider and into the weird corner, but the way you did it eliminates a whole ton of railing obstructing the view! My plan was to put the grill in the weird corner regardless of design (which is the East) and just pull it out from underneath the overhang to cook. The only reason for not wanting to go West any further is that we have neighbors to our North....we're trying to keep our activities behind our addition, if that makes sense. The landscaping by the garage is completely negotiable, and the big Verbena bush/tree (which I LOVE for its one-time-a-year flowering) could even go if necessary. We had talked about a hot tub that direction at one point. So If I'm correct on your drawing, now we don't need an overkill of cement pylon thingies to support this whole area because we've technically cut it in half, and the cost of the actual deck will be way down, which is awesome. I assume that your proposal is to get to the bottom and walk onto pavers or cement (which is what you're referring to as on-grade). Your idea now all of a sudden doesn't make that weird angle seem like such a pain in the *ss, nor does the door placement at the garage seem that weird anymore; yet, coming from the house to the garage or visa versa now makes sense and looks normal. That whole area covered in pavers/cement make it look like it was always that way, which is the look I was looking for! It flows the way you drew it up....I'll show this to my husband. Your advice is much appreciated!!

Maples have lots of surface roots and water on a hill is in short supply. Once the maple is mature, it will be the only thing living on the hill. And it will eventually find the drain. A ridiculous statement. Look at any wooded area--maples live on slopes much steeper than that and with other trees as well. Look at large parks/arboretums where maples share ground on slopes with other trees and shrubs. And maple roots don't search far beyond the drip line of the tree for water. Good grief! Maples are not the terrors of the woods.

Instead of painting, consider staining the concrete in a cooler shade. Opt for natural earthy tones like charcoal grey, taupe, or even a light sage green to tie in with your front door. Stain repels heat better than paint and enhances the texture of the concrete. Also, consider repurposing salvaged wood pallets or deck boards for a rustic, Japanese-inspired touch. Sand and stain them in a light shade to avoid excessive heat absorption.