For what it's worth, I'm near the border between Zone 3a and 3b.

I also really like (well cared-for) cedar/thuja, but not sure how well it fares here.

It's cumbersome to go back and forth figuring out your photo relative to description and key. Would be a lot better if you open the photo in a "paint" program like Microsoft Paint and write the labels directly on a copy of the photo. Does not need to be pro looking. Just hand write using the paintbrush or pencil tool and appropriate line weight. Use arrows if needed. Is that the storage building you want in the side yard already shown ... surrounded by garden? In general, I think you are being unrealistic about the amount of space that plants would occupy. What is the red rectangle in the back yard? Are deck and patio slab existing? You are wanting to add more patio?

Thanks for the tips. Only existing piece so far is the deck.

Added labels and some dimensions:

Haha, you're bang-on here, "I understand that beds like this are still extremely popular. I maintain that it is not reason that supports them, but copying ad infinitum and lack of reason."

This is something I'm used to from our last house, hence the reasoning to copy it here. The mulch is nice along fence lines to make mowing easier, and it was just carried over onto walkways.

I'll add photos tonight, hopefully I don't get stuck in the mud!

If you need to wait until the photos have good lighting, it's no problem.

Tried to catch the orange stakes as much as possible, they mark the north boundary.

I feel sorry for you having to live in those conditions! Don't know how you take it!

Have you checked with the powers-that-be about placing the storage shed in that location? It smacks of something that wouldn't be permitted in many places. Having trouble reconciling the pictures with the plan. It barely looks like there's 14' between houses. and you're showing that much to the lot line.

It would be good if you would say a few words about your objectives for the back yard. Are you trying to develop privacy and screening of undesirable views? Or do you expect more openness between the yards? Are there definite, known uses for the turf area or is it primarily for a sense of spaciousness and viewing?

I would definitely pull the patio away from the house and not kill the planting potential for the space next to the house. The blank wall between the two windows is begging for something to help it look better and a chunk of concrete on the ground won't do it. Plus, the small niche of concrete created by the steps will be too small to use well. And, the arrangement is not as interesting as it could otherwise be.

Is there a reason that the garden is raised instead of being just a plot at grade?

I really don't mind the snow but the cold get's a little old. Spring is now here, so it's wet and mucky but the weather is so much nicer, gets you excited for summer.

The main goal is to have a functional back yard, not necessarily just a pretty yard but one that can be actively enjoyed. I have two small children so space will be needed for running around, future trampoline, etc. The deck / patio will be used for socializing with friends and family. BBQ will be relocated onto the patio to shelter it from the wind somewhat. I don't see the front yard being much of a play or entertaining area. Due to the strong winds I would like to be somewhat sheltered from the elements but don't necessarily need a privacy break from the neighbours.

As for the side yard, the total width is about 17'6" with 14'6" being ours. Town bylaws require 3' spacing from the property line, so a shed should work there. I'm thinking it will be about 8' wide to maintain some separation from the house.

No real preference for the raised garden, just thought it may be easier on the back, look a little more appealing and save from grass clippings winding up in it.

I'm open to relocating the patio/sitting area. It could become more centralized around a fireplace/pit if located elsewhere in the yard.

I was thinking of pulling the patio away from the house along these lines (details to be worked out, of course)...

Yardvaark's plan is more pleasing to the eye. I also looks much easier to maintain.

Yes, sorry for no reply yesterday but I do agree. I can leave the BBQ on the deck and do something like this for a windbreak:

Ballard Outdoor Living Space · More Info

And then consider something along these lines for the patio/firepit:

Palmetto Bluff Home and Guest House · More Info

Now, as far as trees, I'm thinking of an Autumn Purple Ash in the front yard but debating between red cedar (Thuja plicata excelsa) and Lombardy poplar (Populos Nigra) / Swedish aspen (populus tremula erecta) columnar trees for the back yard. Any thoughts?

Is there a guideline or general philosophy for breaking up trees / shrubs / other plants?

A deck like what you show in your second new picture would be quite nice. Coordinate the geometry with it for the fire pit patio and you'll have a winner.

There have been disease trouble with ashes. I can't say which ashes specifically as i'm not in an area where they grow. But research before you buy. You would only use Lombardy poplar if you're edging a farm field. They are very short lived trees. They grow, die and fall over. To get reasonable feedback on trees, you would need to show where you propose using them.

Here's where I was thinking for trees to cut some wind directed at the patio. Predominant wind is from the NW. This diagram is not to scale.

Center could be the ash (fraxinus americana "autumn purple"), autumn blaze maple (Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred') or maybe an amur cherry (pruunus mackii) but they're listed as "only" 30 year lifespan.

Funny you say that about the poplar. I've always lived in very farm-oriented communities so it's fitting that these would be common. The Swedish aspen is listed as more disease tolerant and having a 50 year lifespan. Poplar also tend to sucker where it doesn't sound like the aspen will.

After more consideration, I may look to place the cedar elsewhere as they don't seem to tolerate wind very well. Possibly in front of the house under the front window or between the two small windows in the rear.

The tree arrangement you propose is not good. They will not mix well or look good once mixed. It will look "country" and "amateurish." It would be much better to do this kind of arrangement with three like--appropriately sized--trees that work together to form a single corner piece. Remember, you are using PARTS (individual plants) to make one WHOLE thing (corner sun and windbreak.) Are you choosing trees based on seeing what's growing locally, or by book knowledge through internet research? I'd start with the former. Be careful of the ultimate potential height of whatever you place below windows.

Thanks for the honesty yardvaark, that's why I'm here. My thought was that a more traditional deciduous tree would break up the columnar vertical poplar/aspen. Would it be more acceptable, in your opinion, to keep like trees together in a corner, but have two corners of the yard having different trees? For example, the three aspen in the NW corner and one of the other proposed in the SW corner.

These are all common local trees. The concern with the cedar was based on many people having to wrap them in the winters with burlap, but they do grow here.

IMO, the stronger artistic statement would be corners that more or less match. Imagine a couch with end tables on either end. Will it look better if the tables match or are different? Same principle. It's one yard facet with two "bookends." Won't the trees develop some width over time? I'd want something that didn't get too wide and dominate the whole lawn area.

I would not use anything that needed to be wrapped for the winter.

http://canopy.org/about-trees/canopy-tree-library/#fun site about trees

Thanks for that, interesting.

Revisiting the tree selection with my wife to hopefully trim back on the desired variety.