Backyard Landscaping - Working to improve this spring
19kev77
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (19)
emmarene9
9 years ago19kev77
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Landscaping Ideas for Backyard - Privacy (cont.)
Comments (109)Nice additions. I am guessing the design you have up top is like I said earlier to block the view of the neighbors homes from you house and for a winter windbreak. I didn't read the entire article due to time and it seems yardvark pretty much nailed everything as usual. I would just say personally I would add a little color via roses, would talk to a local nursery on those, and I would certainly look into edibles a bit more like a couple of apples. You could get full size "standard", Semi, or dwarf. I would slap a honeycrispx2 on there and a granny smith. I would also pick up a cherry or two, I personally like ranier but don't know how well they do in your area. That way you get spring blooms, fall apples/color, and something to look forward to seasonally. I would also augment those with evergreens like hollies with red berries for winter interest. When in doubt go for some more evergreens. Spring/Fall pretty much take care of themselves. See what looks best in your area in the summer/winter in the nurseries and go that route when in doubt of what to plant....See MoreTree suggestions for backyard landscaping
Comments (7)Douglas, Balsam, and Frasier Firs No to all these unless they are dwarfs you work in later. Focus on cultivars of Abies koreana and Abies concolor. For any fir you NEED well drained soil. Pines (Jack, Red) No to these. Focus on cultivars of P. strobus, P. cembra and P. koraiensis. Spruce Limit the use of Picea pungens. Utilze Picea abies (smaller forms), Picea orientalis, Picea glauca and Picea omorika. There are several other species to look at once you start going to dwarf forms. No offense to the folks on the design forum but some of them are too wrapped up in "rules" of design. Do what works for you and take everything else with a grain of salt....See MoreBackyard landscaping and hardscaping help
Comments (2)You say that you. need steps ASAP. Steps need a good footing. How can you get steps now and repour patio in the future? A lovely wood deck that wrapped around the corner would be so nice. I see two pipes on the left side that give me unease. If you could retain access to those pipes and also move the hose bib then it would be doable. The deck would need to cover the current patio completely so as not to look thrown together. I am a simple person so if that was my house I would have identical wooden stairs for both doorways. They would still need a footing so you would have to decide on the patio first. I think I do not understand how a soil shift has caused the patio to be a hazard. Is water actually getting into the basement? I ask because I have a similar sunken path. Water is not puddling up to the foundation, so I really don't care. I do mean to fill the crack, of course. As far as landscaping goes you can always have lawn. The view of the woods behind you is very nice. If you care about privacy you could plant screening plants around the perimeter of your lot. The pool equipment is an easy solve also. Hide it with a fence and plant something tall next to the fence. Be sure there is still access to the equipment. When I say tall I mean in proportion to the fence. I don't know the reason but it is always suggested that no plants should dangle over the equipment. You could also post this question in the Home Repair forum or the Old House forum or the Build forum....See MoreWhat can I do to improve this eyesore that is my backyard?
Comments (4)I see 2 or 3 burning needs. One is get a bag of mortar and a trowel and start teaching yourself how to construct masonry stonework. Kill two birds with one stone by picking up all the rock laying around the yard, and by building something wonderful out of all that free material. Another need is a general cleanup of low limbs, scrub brush and weeds. Define beds and mulch them. And the biggest need of all is find a low groundcover that works in your area and start installing it. Most groundcovers can be easily propagated so once you get going, a huge amount of ground can be covered in a relatively short period of time, for low cost (with DIY labor.) And, of course, before you build or plant anything, create a plan so you know that you're putting things in the right places....See More19kev77
9 years agoemmarene9
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago19kev77
9 years ago19kev77
9 years agoYardvaark
9 years ago19kev77
9 years agoYardvaark
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago19kev77
8 years agoemmarene9
8 years ago19kev77
8 years agoemmarene9
8 years ago19kev77
8 years ago19kev77
8 years agoemmarene9
8 years ago19kev77
8 years ago19kev77
8 years ago
Related Stories
FALL GARDENING5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSWhat to Know About Adding a Backyard Bocce Ball Court
A regulation court in a relaxed setting helps you get the most from the Italian pastime. Here's what it takes to build one at home
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSE10 Ways to Dazzle Homebuyers This Spring
Planning to sell your home in the coming months? Improve your chances by making your house attractive to potential buyers
Full StorySPRING GARDENINGSpring Planting: Wonderful Wisteria
Classic Vines Add Fragrance, Color and Romance to Garden Designs
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESWhat Are Your Spring Gardening Plans?
Tearing out the lawn? Planting edibles? Starting from scratch? Tell us what you plan to change in your garden this year
Full StoryEVENTSSpring Tour: Landscape Designs for Living
Northern California yards in a spring garden tour show that landscape design is all about the experience
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Add a Backyard Shed for Storage or Living
Need a home office, a playspace or extra room for your stuff? Learn about off-the-shelf, prefab and custom sheds
Full StorySPRING GARDENINGInspiring Raised Beds for Fall and Spring Planting
Make Your Next Vegetable Garden Even Better with Beautiful Boxes and Paths
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPING13 Quick-Change Boosts for a Spring Patio
Enjoy your outdoor room more with these enhancements that are easy, impactful and kind to your budget
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSRare Modernist Home Uncovered in Palm Springs
A custom home by modernist William Krisel gets restored and updated
Full Story
Yardvaark