skip to main content

Landscape Design Design Dilemma garden

Need help with backyard lawn landscaping ideas!

5 years ago

Hello! First timer here. We are re-doing much of our landscaping and I need help! Home located in San Diego county, inland, Zone 10a.

We have a big backyard area with spotty, ugly grass. I'd like to resod or seed but make the grass area much smaller. The issue is that it is under several large trees and parts are in full shade. I'm worried that extensive soil prep will hurt the trees and I'm not convinced that grass will do well except for the middle area where the sun shines through. We also have three small kids who play outside all day and want to have a big open space for them.

Any ideas? Synthetic turf is not an option, too expensive and we will only be in this home for less than 5 years, not worth the investment. I would love to hear some design tips!

Thank you :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
Foch Family Landscape Architecture
5 years ago
Hello Bob,

Seems like you have a fun project on your hands. I can't speak much to the plant selection, as I am from all the way up in Canada, but I would recommend considering a rock garden for under the trees with some native shade tolerant plants and a focal element. The rockery would play nicely off of the existing concrete walkway, would be low maintenance for you and would fill in the space where it is hard for things to grown anyways. You could then utilized the pre-existing lawn for the children to play. If you are selling after that 5 years, this would add some curb appeal, would be nice for potential buyers and is easily altered if it is undesirable for them.

However, this recommendation does not consider where the house is in relation to the yard and your desired 'flow' or usage for the space. Just food for thought.

Cheers,

Kyle
Bob Colburn
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks!
Related Discussions
Need help for landscaping ideas on new backyard
Q
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 More
Need help starting a back yard lawn
Q
Comments (6)
If you start now you might get rid of the stumps in 2 years by natural processes. The only trick is to get just the right amount of moisture on the stumps to get the fungus started. For that I suggest a misting nozzle like this one. I had a stump that was 15 years old. I buried it under compost thinking the compost would rot it away. Instead of rotting it away it preserved it. Why? Because the fungus that rots wood must have full access to the air. The compost cut off the air. I got the idea for the misting nozzle and it worked great. The nozzle ran continuously for 2 weeks until I noticed a fungus growing on the wood. Then I turned off the nozzle for a week or so and turned it back on. Guess what I'm saying is play this by ear. I watched carefully as the fungus spread, mushrooms formed, the surface of the wood softened, more and more softened. After about 18 months the stump was completely rotten. Stepping on it left a foot print. Still there was plenty more to rot away but it was obvious Nature was working a lot better than anything else I had tried. I talked to some people who suggested that once the stump had softened that much, that I should let it dry out, pour a little diesel on it, and burn it the rest of the way. I didn't do that. Haven't checked on it recently. That should take you up to the time when you buy the house. You are right about the issues with planting anything on top of a ground up stump. If the wood is near the surface, that fungus will steal nitrogen from any source including all the fertilizer you apply. Usually you see yellow spots in the lawn over the stump. You might have him grind the stumps and then you proceed with the wood rotting method using the misting nozzles. That might shave some months off the decomposition process.
...See More
Help with ideas to landscape long narrow backyard
Q
Comments (1)
what are you objectives in landscaping? Show the overall space in a pic or two.
...See More
Need help landscaping around my backyard stream
Q
Comments (8)
On the poison ivy, it's very easy to identify in the growing stage. You can see pictures on Google. All parts of the plant is poisonous as all times, so once you learn to identify the leaves, study the aerial roots and stems and avoid the plant during winter as well. It's very easy to get rid of. Cut any climbing vines and spray the rest with roundup. It will come back so let it get 2-3' ht and spray it again. Repeat this process until it is gone. If one comes in contact with it accidentally, a soapy shower will wash off the toxin. Be careful not to touch the dirty clothes again. I've been exposed and gone 20 or 25 minutes (I think) before washing it off and escaped injury. (It was awhile back so the sooner, the better.)
...See More
Sigrid
5 years ago
If your swings get used, put down mulch. If not, plant.
Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)
5 years ago
Depending on the kind of trees, they may be laced to open up the crown and allow more sunlight to filter down to the ground. If the canopy is high enough and trees are spaced widely enough, it is possible to grow grass under trees. You can visit Balboa Park and see this in person. Perhaps you have more trees than you need, or they are too close together, or possibly a structure is also blocking light? Since we don't see the full picture including the trees, it's hard to advise specifically.
PRO
Red Berm
5 years ago
I have often had clients who wish to plant grass back where it died..If it naturally died in the shade..It will probably die again. Some of my client resod in the shade every year..and it last 6 months and then they do it again.. My suggestion is sod in the sun and add plants to shade with mulch ..or pea gravel under swing. It looks like maybe a patio next to the swing. Sometimes I create 'viewing gardens' for areas where you don't walk. Try matching colors like yellow flowers or blue leaves etc..

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Landscape Tour: Garden Rooms Edge a Lawn in New Jersey

By Becky Harris

Built and planted forms combine to create a relaxing suburban backyard oasis

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 15 Great Ideas for a Lawn-Free Yard

By Laura Gaskill

End the turf war for good with hardscaping, native grasses and ground covers that save water and are easier to maintain

BACKYARD IDEAS 10 Low-Maintenance Backyard Ideas

By Laura Gaskill

These outdoor spaces minimize yard work and keep the focus on fun

MOST POPULAR 8 Backyard Ideas to Delight Your Dog

By Marianne Lipanovich

Cue the joyous soundtrack. These pet-friendly landscape and garden ideas will keep your pooch safe, happy and well exercised outdoors

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Backyard Dreaming: 13 Ideas to Spark Your Imagination

By Laura Gaskill

Transform your yard or patio this spring by turning your thoughts to outdoor flights of fancy now

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get the Kids Outside With Family-Friendly Backyard Ideas

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Glean inspiration from 11 design ideas and activities that encourage outdoor family fun

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Before and After: 4 Backyard Makeovers With Space-Saving Ideas

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Smart space design, outdoor seating, container plants and more turn these yards into lovely retreats

OUTDOOR PROJECTS 25 Fun Backyard Design Ideas

By Mitchell Parker

Celebrate the start of summer with these inspiring ideas for an outdoor space worth staying home for

PATIOS Backyard Ideas: Writer's Studio and a Japanese-Inspired Garden

By Annie Thornton

A nearby Japanese garden inspires a feature-packed backyard and studio for a work-from-home Portland writer

More Discussions

10

Landscaping front of house

2

Best ideas to improve the front area of our house!

9

What to do between siding and pavers

18

Suggestions for tall, skinny tree/ shrub to add vertical dimension?

7