The first step is to decide functions. You want a sitting patio, barbeque, play area, vegetable garden, dog run, koi pond--things like that. Then determine problems you need to address and specialty items that require consideration; shade, privacy, ugly sheds that need screening, walking paths, focal points, views from interior, grading problem areas, tree removal, etc.

The hardscape should be determined first, because you do not want to destroy landscape plants to install a patio, for example. Ideally, hardscape is designed and installed first, with serious consideration to future irrigation and utilities (although it may not always be financially possible to install hardscape first, at the very least, make some preliminary decisions on what it will be and where).

The first step is to plan, and really think about what you want the finished yard to contain, and where. That isn't to say there can be no changes--but you may pay dearly for that privilege. So the more accurate and well laid out your plans are at the beginning, the better.

Thanks for your reply, those are very useful tips. A portion of the backyard is already setup for a covered patio. So this area is mainly for gardening.

My grandson bought a house and the first winter the back yard became a lake that stayed that way until spring. He has since installed much drain tile as well as many yards of topsoil. I think I would wait until we have some good rain before planing too far ahead. Al

I like your interim plan so far, it's very practical. The weeds will be smothered, you shouldn't get a big muddy mess when it rains, and as things break down the soil quality will improve. However, in consideration of the grandson's experience above, poor drainage is a disctint possibility. Waiting and planning could be the best choice.

In the event that you discover the drainage is okay but you still don't have a plan, the cardboard/newspaper + wood chips can buy you time while you figure out what you want out of the yard. It's worth taking that time to plan, and I wish I had done that when we started with a backyard that kind of reminds me of yours :-)

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will keep those in mind

the termites are going to love that cardboard

That is good to know, I will look into just mulch idea to keep it simple

I did the same thing here in my north-facing yard in Oakland. I laid down cardboard (single layer) and covered with woodchips--5-6 inches deep. It's cooler here, but we had practically no rain after I did this (until last night, yipee!) and I didn't have a problem with cardboard buckling, but as I mentioned the mulch was quite thick.

Taking advantage of the soil softened, I dug holes to plant some succulents and native bushes after yesterday's rains. I was surprised to find that in most areas the cardboard had broken down enough that it wasn't noticeable, or was quite thin and easy to pierce with a regular shovel.

There was a lot of bermuda grass in my lawn before the mulching and I did have to use Roundup throughout the year to kill some survivors peaking out. There haven't been many the past several months.

Have you thought of planting a cover crop like buckwheat? At least it'll be green and you'll be enriching the soil.

No, I wasn't thinking about a cover crop... If I remove all the current weeds then plant a cover crop, how do i manage weeds that might grow along with the cover crop?

If you google buckwheat you will see it is planted to smother weeds.

One of my favorite ornamentals is Golden Guinea vine, which has a growing habit more like a bush than a vine. It is very manageable, it will not get out of control, and it produces cheerful yellow flowers (which unfortunately do not last long).

You might also think about a fruit tree, maybe a pomegranate or Gold Kist Apricot. Pomegranates grow exceptionally well in Southern California and produce attractive fiery-orange blossoms and attractively-shaped fruit. Even for someone who doesn't like eating pomegranates, this could still be a tree to consider purely for ornamental use. Pomegranate trees can tend to grow very bush-like though, and sometimes become overgrown, but they can easily be cut back. I mentioned the Gold Kist variety of apricot because it will still be an abundant fruit-producer with the lack of chill hours in your climate.

You could also plant a seedless Satsuma tangerine tree. These don't get very big. The flavor can be variable though, depending on environmental factors and age of the tree (don't be disheartened if the fruits taste watery and bland the first year, the flavor really improves after many years). These are great for snacking and effortless to peel. A lemon tree is always nice to have too.

What about planting a few rose bushes? Or if you really hate thorns there are some beautiful varieties of Camellias and Tree Peonies.

One of the WORST things you can do is go to your nursery and look around. Most of the big box nurseries in Southern California carry really ugly plants, the type that are already overplanted everywhere. I'm talking about the "low-maintenance" plants that will easily thrive despite neglect and long periods of not being watered. The Garden Forum is a great place to look around to get some ideas about what you could plant, but just be aware that many plants common in other parts of the country do not do so well in the climate of Southern California.

I also wanted to add that Buckwheat is edible, I used to eat Buckwheat porridge for breakfast, and the Japanese make Soba noodles out of it.

Thank you for the feedback parker25mv. I do plan to add lot of fruit trees along the border of the yard :) The mulch idea was for mainly for rest of the area. I am reading up about the buckwheat/cover crop idea now and like it so far!

Dang. One of the WORST things parker25mv? And here I spent three hours looking around at a nursery and big box garden center today. Parker25mv must think my garden is very ugly. It contains many of those common drought tolerant, thrive despite neglect, nursery-purchased plants, after all. Oh, well.

Sheet mulching with cardboard and free tree trimming (arborist) chips will get you a free or low cost way to get rid of weeds and enrich the soil.

You simply spread cardboard out on top of the existing weeds (string trim or mow first, leave the trimmings) and pile on 4-6 inches of arborist chips. You could then walk away until you determine what you want long term (while the mulch kills off the weeds there now) or you can plant directly in the mulch. CNPS.org and the UC Davis Arboretum have ideas on native plants for CA that would look great there.

Box stores do have some great options but nurseries have a larger "native plants" and mediterranean palette to choose from.

I am currently in the process of doing this myself. I am replacing my lawns with only native and drought tolerant plants.

Gyr Falcon I really like your garden. May I ask what is growing among the paving?

Thank you, emmarene. The groundcover is Thyme 'Pink Chintz'. I used creeping red thyme in the front yard, and I think I like the look of that one a bit more. The Chintz is supposed to fill in quicker, which is why I chose it here initially. The blue-flowering plants around the perimeter of the patio are lobelia.

Sorry for the delay in replying. We have had company over today.

gry...... your garden is beautiful! I have found wonderful plants in box stores, small specialty and large expensive nurseries. Treasures on line - and plant sales at schools and garden clubs! If you study the plants that grow in your area - look around at your neighborhood gardens as well at botanical gardens and learn what will grow and when you find it, buy it. I recently found a rare hydrangea, Monrovia nursery, Dan Hinkley Collection at Lowes! It was on sale - usual fancy nursery price $28 - $35 for a 2.5 gal and it was 70% off and cost $6.75! It is gorgeous - multi stemmed and I was a happy camper. One of my most beautiful hydrangeas - was a grocery store impulse buy and is now a 6x6 beautiful Fuji Falls and is still in bloom in Seattle! We just invested in some conifers for the Seattle garden and went to one of the most exclusive nurseries because their selection is the one of the best in the PNW. Turned out that their prices were the same or less than the big name nurseries closer to home. When I lived in Northern CA - I found rare and wonderful salvias at the Longs Drug store in Oakland, CA. lol Half the fun of gardening is scoring the rare or unusual or just plain wonderful plant - no matter where it came from. Be adventurous! Enjoy finding the diamond in the dime store!

I love finding those uncommon plants! It gets expensive though, because I frequently bring them home to "give them a try". Saw some uncommonly-offered parachute plants yesterday--and amazingly didn't adopt one. Too many things in my cart (and for my wallet) already... They have awesome-looking flowers though.

oh man, I can't believe I missed another one of Parker's ridiculous overstatements. I remember when I was so enamored with the latest and greatest. Thankfully I grew out of it.