Trying to make backyard/side yard more inviting
mik974
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years agomik974
4 years agoRelated Discussions
How can we make this backyard space more 'elegant'? (pix)
Comments (5)Since you answered your own posting it didn't hang around at the top of the forum list and is moving down pretty quickly - and a lot of people don't look past the top ten, so you may not get much response. But also, others may share my confusion about what you've presented and what you're really asking for. I'm afraid your two pictures have left me baffled as to where the deck is relative to the view of the back of the house, what the topography is (are those piles of dirt or an actual slope?), what the back yard looks like from inside it, and where your property begins and ends. I can't get a sense of the space at all. Finally, I can hear that you're feeling frustrated, but not sure what your primary objective is for the yard - distance view, nice space to be in, something to look out the window at. All that is to say that people can't offer much help unless you can give us/them clear questions and parameters. But here are my general thoughts, for what its worth from a protected zone 8 to unprotected zone 5! Can you create a protected zone with fencing or a hedge (assuming you can find a hedge plant that would survive?) Are there planting techniques that can help with survival, say planting in spring not fall? Can you plant trees outside the zone of the house, say trees that grow to twenty feet, thirty feet away? Finally, while it may take some time to figure out what will grow, plan the layout and the hardscape first (those piles of dirt look like they need retaining to me, for instance). Something amorphous like a wildflower meadow isn't going to look like much other than "junky" or weedy without a frame and a context, which retaining walls would provide. They would also frame and tidy up the distance view of the house. Maybe a few more photos would help. Others may be able to help with plant selection and care, although you may also check in to specific plant forums - tree forum, conifer forum, regional forum for your area, etc - for that. KarinL...See MoreMore new food plants for back yard
Comments (13)SE PA and NJ are not exactly pineapple capitals! My Dad started a pineapple from the top of one he bought at supermarket... sliced top off with very little flesh and just planted in a pot. It had to be repotted several times as it grew... over several years. It went outside on his front steps in late-April or so and came back inside around the end of October. After he passed away and sibs and I were clearing out his house, just didn't have the heart to leave it behind. Kinda funny how outside plants are immediately BIGGER when you bring them inside!?! It sat on a stool in corner of my NJ liviingroom. Then one day in the dead of winter I was almost scared by the sight of a TEENY pineapple growing up out of the center on a stalk. It was about the size of an egg. By the time I moved it outside in late-April or early-May... about the size of a lemon. Was about the size of a decent sized orange when it started bending the stem over, so I cut it off. The AROMA filled the house as this ROCK hard mini-pineapple sat on my kitchen counter for a week or so. The minute it had the slightest give, I cut it up. It was absolutely delicious! Even the core, that's generally tough in a regular sized fruit was tender. Needed NO sugar. Have a little Asian market near me... gonna have to see if they have yuzu!?!...See Moreadvice about back yard
Comments (32)Obviously, but obviously not everyone agrees with you either and we were asked for opinions. The question was not can I use wood chips and create a nice yard, The question was would more buyers like to see grass and do I need to do some work on this yard for resale. I reply to both in the affirmative, but have also suggested other options to grass -- though grass works great for me with two active med-large dogs. It is possible to use any combination of materials in a good looking garden. If you've like wood chips in your yard, I'm not trying to talk you out of them, but I've seen dogs with leg injuries because of wood chip yards at a dog park. I have also observed that far fewer people pick up after their dogs with wood chips and found it more difficult to do myself. I want a yard I can walk in, so , not to pick on you or the OP, I will not chose wood chips. And if wood chips were going to be a part of the yard, I would make sure they are a contrast to other colors and textures -- which isn't happening here, and that there is a clean, defined walkway between the steps and gate. Also not happening. This yard is not appealing and too many buyers see landscaping as expensive, hard work and don't know where to begin. An appealing yard, with or without wood chips, will help the house sell. If the OP has a few years before selling, it can be left until time to market or changes can be made now and enjoyed in the meantime....See MoreLooking for advice how to make our backyard more cozy and inviting
Comments (7)Visit the blog www.livinginyellow.com. She is a fashion blogger and has a great in-ground pool area that is decorated with practical, comfortable and cute furnishings! I promise if you search through her photos, you'll get some inspiration ideas. She's also pretty good about posting where she buys from!...See Moremik974
4 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoMy House
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agogroveraxle
4 years agomik974
4 years agocalidesign
4 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
4 years agomik974
4 years agogroveraxle
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agomik974
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agoLB Interiors
4 years agomik974
4 years agoLB Interiors
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoDig Doug's Designs
4 years agoVan Zelst Inc
4 years agogroveraxle
4 years agomik974
4 years agoDig Doug's Designs
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agomik974
4 years agomik974
4 years agoDig Doug's Designs
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoLB Interiors
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
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