Starting backyard from scratch
Ames P
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
Yardvaark
6 years agol pinkmountain
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Starting to plan for a post-ash backyard... (Long ,wordy post...)
Comments (16)Woody, I've had to face the same sort of issues with removal of a large anchor tree in both my own garden, and also design clients' gardens, and prefer to think of it as an opportunity rather than a loss. For what it is worth, I think there is usually more design impact if you replace with a group of the same variety to give more continuity, rather than one of this, one of that. It is also easier to get the garden looking good if you don't try to force the shade requiring perennials to fit into the sunnier garden, I'd move the Hostas, etc if you have room elsewhere, and treat the new sunny beds as an opportunity for sun perennials/annuals until you have shade there again. Laws regarding permits to take down large trees vary from town to town here in the San Francisco Bay Area, in almost all towns here locally, our native Coast Live Oak is the most protected, here in my town of Berkeley, other species do not require permits to remove, whereas in nearby Oakland, anything of size to be removed requires a permit, even if a weed species such as Eucalyptus globulus, or old dying giants such as Monterey Cypress or Monterey Pines. I do work in a lot of gardens with 80 to 100 year old Monterey Pines and Cypress trees, that are reaching the end of their life spans and are in declining health and more risk of dropping limbs or falling completely. I love the appearance and skyline aspects, but tend to be pragmatic in generally recommending removal before they do damage. We have an advantage in our California climate that new trees, depending on the species selected, can get height and size rather quickly. In one Alameda town garden right on the bay, I replaced a 100 foot tall by 50 foot diameter Pinus radiata with a grouping of 5-15 gallon saplings of the Lemon Gum Eucalyptus. Just 5 years later, these Euc's are already nearly 40 foot tall and looking beautiful as a replacement for the pine, and I have also removed the two smallest to retain the best 3 trees....See MoreStarting a backyard nursery
Comments (3)I run a slightly bigger then the one you are talking about. But your question of soil use is one I can help with I live in the high desert and it gets cooollld here. So I order my dirt in bags by the pallet. You can order by the bulk too but I keep my dirt in the greenhouse as when I start transplanting it is cold and I hate working with frozen soil. Propagating is something that is more profitable and I also use this source for my business. I mostly grow from seed and make a decent living......just decent:)...See MoreThe Great Backyard Bird Count Starts 2/17
Comments (1)Thanks for posting this. I'm going to try to participate this year :-)...See MoreBackyard landscape help- where to start
Comments (7)Screening will eat up some yard space which is a main reason tall, skinny plants like Arborvitae are so popular. But you really don't need all that much height, so consider other plants in the 12' to 15' range, too. If a central open space was circular, it would allow for greater planting bed depth at the yard corners. It makes sense to locate the fire pit centrally so as to keep it from anything combustible. Between the screening and the fire pit, there won't be a lot of room left over. This suggest the idea of making the firepit into an important central visual element, instead of just an area off to one side of the yard. It could be a perfect circle of fine gravel surrounded by a perfectly circular lawn, surrounded by a perfectly circular landscape area, the outer limits of which, of course, are the fence. The illustration is no more than a rough schematic of this concept. You could work out the details in a multitude of ways. If you don't allow enough depth to the planting bed, you risk being forced to use only tall, skinny plants as a solution for the screening, or of making the screening into a high maintenance affair....See MoreAmes P
6 years agoauntthelma
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoacm
6 years agoYardvaark
6 years agol pinkmountain
6 years agoUser
6 years ago
Related Stories
PATIOSCase Study: 8 Tips for Planning a Backyard From Scratch
Turn a blank-slate backyard into a fun and comfy outdoor room with these ideas from a completely overhauled Phoenix patio
Full StoryINSIDE HOUZZInside Houzz: Starting From Scratch in a Manhattan Apartment
Even no silverware was no sweat for a Houzz pro designer, who helped a globe-trotting consultant get a fresh design start
Full StoryBEFORE AND AFTERS6 Dramatic Garden Makeovers, From Backyard to Rooftop
It's almost hard to believe how far these landscapes have come. Have a look and get ideas for your own garden transformation
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGCitrus 101: Start Your Own Backyard Orchard
This Earth Day Weekend, Add Some Green, Style and Deliciousness to Your Landscape
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGSee a Soothing Backyard Bathhouse Born From a Salvaged Tub
Creative thinking and DIY skills give a Portland couple a pergola-covered 'hot tub' under the stars
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESBeautiful Flowers and Foliage From Dedicated Backyard Gardeners
From lawn daisies to topiaries, Houzz users share their backyard beauties
Full StorySTUDIOS AND WORKSHOPSFrom Backyard Shed to Motorcycle Haven
Smart repurposing and upgrades turn a deteriorating shed into a place for prized bikes
Full StoryMOST POPULAR16 Ways to Get More From Your Small Backyard
Make a tight or awkward yard a real destination with these design tricks from the pros
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESFollow a Ranch House Renovation From Start to Finish
Renovation Diary, Part 1: Join us on a home project in Florida for lessons for your own remodel — starting with finding the right house
Full StoryPETSProtecting Your Pet From Your Yard and Your Yard From Your Pet
Check out these tricks from vets and landscape designers for keeping your pets and plantings safe in the backyard
Full Story
Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)