Need help landscaping around my backyard stream
Kevin
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
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Yardvaark
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help for landscaping ideas on new backyard
Comments (3)" I wanted to do some type of patio in the middle with planting around the edges... Our intention is strictly landscaping, no structure." Since "landscaping" can consist of anything that might be in the landscape: walks, wall, drive, fence, plantings, etc.... we might not know what you mean by "no structure"... after you say you want to do "some type of patio...". SOMEONE must think of what goes where (do the design) and it will either be you with assistance from here, or it will be a designer that you hire. If you think you want to design the space, you might start be creating a scale base plan that shows the existing elements that will remain. Posting the base plan here will make it easier for people to comprehend the space and you will need it anyway if you're going to do the design. Including pictures that show how the space relates to the house and surrounding areas will be useful. So far, the pictures don't give a feel for how the house and space work together. Wouldn't you want a pathway connection between house and patio? So far, we can't see where that could possibly go. (The first picture is no good because of the intense shadow.) (BTW, you can post multiple photos in the same post; just list the code for each in succession.) It will be helpful if you describe in greater detail your objectives. For example, what size of a patio? Any thoughts on material to make it from? Want shade? Privacy? Screening? Etc. If you have an idea of the size, shape and location for a patio, you should show it and get feedback on it....See MoreNeed help landscaping small backyard!
Comments (5)It looks like a nice space -- I'm assuming with grass that nice you get a fair amount of sun? With sun, you can do anything! There are a bunch of questions you need to decide on before you get started. What's the physical space? How large is it, how sunny is it, are there any obstacles/challenges (like the wall), any restrictions (like ripping up the sod and laying pavers/decking), how close is your water source, etc. What do you want to use the space for? A kitchen garden, cutting garden, personal oasis, outdoor entertaining space, putting green (I can't get over how good the grass looks!), playspace for kids, etc. What's your style? Tuscan villa, Morrocan walled garden, English cottage garden, Japanese zen, urban minimalist? How much time/money/skill do you have? Do you have time to water a lot of containers? Can you pay for a lot of big plants or hardscaping? Will you be there long enough to ket plans unfold over time, or do you want immediate impact? Are you able to build raised beds or other outdoor structures? There are a ton of things you can do with a small space, even with little money and little time. But it helps to narrow down what effect you're going for. And the best way to do that is... look at pictures! Collect pictures of what you want, then start researching how to create those effects in your space! (And of course, consult with folks on sites like this one!) Here is a link that might be useful: Google search on...See MoreNeed help landscaping backyard with slope and erosion
Comments (8)Are the trees' roots exposed or are those mostly rocks? You want something that stays close to the ground to absorb the impact of the water. With shade your choices may be somewhat limited. Vinca is ubiquitous around here. You can plant other little plants in between. Various wild geraniums are popular around here, and liriope, perhaps some ferns. I had a plant called sweet woodruff covering the ground in the shade at my last place, very pretty in the spring. Some other classics are small bleeding hearts and ajuga, (actually anything in the mint family, like native mountain mint or horsemint which you can grow from seed) and perhaps some thymes although they need a bit more sun, also woodland strawberry and virginia creeper are natives that are used and there is a dwarf goat's beard that is beautiful. Yarrow is good in partly sunny areas. Someone on here once told me about creating little pockets of good soil surrounded by rocks. I see you are good with the idea of trying to spread that water from your drainpipes out as much as you can instead of concentrating it. A good thing to do is create pockets where the rainwater can be absorbed to control the erosion, but the trees roots run contrary to that objective. I would just try planting things and see what takes off. That's what I do on my hillsides, just keep trying to get vegetation established. We use natural wood chips too, to hold down the soil....See MoreHow to landscape around backyard wall with a rain drain hole in wall?
Comments (16)In terms of what plants to put there, try searching for rain garden plant lists for your area. A rain garden is usually a depression in the ground which is meant to fill with water during a storm and slowly drain, so rain garden plants generally need to be able to tolerate dry periods and wet periods, which I think would be similar to the conditions by your wall. Here's a general guide from Texas A&M: https://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/files/2011/05/Rain-Garden-Plant-List-11-02-09.pdf...See MoreYardvaark
9 years agoKevin
9 years agoYardvaark
9 years agoredtartan
9 years agoYardvaark
9 years agoredtartan
9 years ago
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