first house - crazy backyard in Atlanta area - help!
Jaime Benson
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
We are buying our first house, and the backyard has so much potential. There are some slope issues, some amazing existing beds with azaleas and roses, but a whole lot of random plants and vines and trees that I can't identify. Is there a certain kind of professional that I can call to just come over, walk with me, tell me what everything is, and help me get a plan for myself? I have almost no money to start with (hello, first house) but I'm an enthusiastic learner and don't mind starting myself. Advice? Any referrals? Or do I just google "garden help atlanta?" Thanks!
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Kaillean (zone 8, Vancouver)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoJaime Benson thanked Kaillean (zone 8, Vancouver)Related Discussions
My First Backyard Orchard
Comments (13)I must say starting an orchard as a first for growing edibles is bold. I would encourage you to contact your county agrilife extension service and see if they have any information that would help you be successful. Plum, pears, and peaches are commonly grown in your area. I use to live in the Dallas area and do not remember anyone growing apples or cherries. The close space fruit tree growing seems to work best in dry climates like California. I would pay attention to what scottfsmith on this forum writes since he has similar humid conditions like you have. Someone closer to home is Neil Sperry. I think he still has a call in show on one of the Dallas radio stations on Saturday. He talks more about flowers than fruits but is knowledgeable on both. You will need to watch out for fire blight on the apples and pears. Peaches and plums are bad about getting brown rot. This forum has been very interesting for me seeing what everyone is growing and if I have a chance to grow them in southeast Texas. It has saved me money and time by finding out what might be possible and what would be a waste of resources. Just remember, all of us have made mistakes and over time we can be successful growing something....See MoreCrazy, Hippie, Untamed, Wooded Back Yard?
Comments (33)Same here, +om. Dumb phone here that I hardly use or carry. My wife answers the phone in the house as I'm usually outside. I just have an old Canon point and shoot camera that is far out of date and manage a picture or two. ;-) No bird baths or feeders here also, because of the ponds I dug with a bulldozer years ago. Feeders also concentrate the birds for other bird predators. Some 'Birders' have platform feeders just for that purpose so they can watch and photograph the predators in action. I see enough of that naturally. I'm building a giant bonsai, miniature old growth sub-alpine forest, on a windy, rocky ridge. Whew! It still needs some work....always does. (It's not work, it's play!) Sedums and other small scale groundcovers are going to be added. The azalea will be pruned to look like a small deciduous tree. Going small scale enables a lot more interest in a limited area......and me with 10 acres. What am I thinking? Sure wasn't along the lines of a perennial cottage garden. Mike...See MoreHelp Picking a Plant for area in backyard.
Comments (35)Thanks. I've heard nandina can spread but I've never seen it. Spread like a ground cover? I've seen them get taller and wider. I have about 12 in a spot and would like to move them and replace with something more exciting but that's another issue. So far the hydrangea are looking good and growing. Hoping they bloom in first year. I have so many hosta I'd like to try something new. I do love them though. Someone posted link to shade perennials in this thread and I'll go there. Al...See Morebehind my Backyard has another house’s side fence
Comments (23)If they had been facing the right direction, my husband and I would have purchased one of the lots in our subdivision that backed up to the park, *not* across the street from it. Two reasons: (1) Small and/or developmentally delayed children would be *constantly* tempted to dash out the front door, to get to the park (our park is near a major subdivision thoroughfare, as well as adjacent to the neighborhood pool). (2) None of the floor plans offered by our builder were arranged in such a way that I could watch the kids playing out front, from the main parts of the house. I will say that, surprisingly, the house directly across the street from our park took a long time to sell. There may have been other factors involved, but apparently, being close to a neighborhood park isn't as desirable as I thought it was, lol. Admittedly, though, even if I took a little hit in resale, I would still love to be backed up to a park (as long as there also wasn't a pool), so I could install a gate back there, and let the kids go nuts at the park every day. :-D Are there any lots with the backyard facing either South or East? I really like our east-facing backyard, because the house shades it in the afternoon, allowing for children and plants to flourish. A few thoughts on the corner lot (I promise I'm almost done talking lol).... How much do you like people and animals? It takes a great lover of people -- especially children -- to happily have a corner lot in a smaller-parcel subdivision. Kiddos in particular love to cut the corner on their way to school. I have also found that any time my dogs have had intestinal upset, it's *always* in front of the corner house, to maximize my embarrassment. I'm that crazy neighbor who, once my dog has made a mess and I get him home, I will return to your sidewalk with a scrub brush and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and scrub the concrete until the mess is completely cleaned up. I even freakin' blend the edges (or scrub the entire square), so you can't tell the newly-cleaned spot from the old concrete. I may be the only individual in my county (who is also married to the only other individual in my county) who would do this. Most of your neighbors won't. I feel so bad for the corner house, that on walks, I even pick up *other people's* dogs' droppings. And I have never even met that neighbor. :-/ Anyway, things to think about. :-D...See More
Reece C
6 years ago
coreybeck
6 years ago
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years agoeinportlandor
6 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Annette Holbrook(z7a)
6 years agoJaime Benson
6 years agoAnnette Holbrook(z7a)
6 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)