more pics

You have enough going on that you might want to talk to a locally based designer or design + build company about the possibilities.

@Embothrium we plan to! Just trying to get some ideas to start with. I have found its best to go in with a general plan and "must have" list before really sitting down to design with a landscape firm. For example, what the heck should be done with the pond? Build it into the design? Fill it in and make it a firepit?

Generally, the 'must-haves' are elements you have determined to be essentials, not some faceless names on a forum :-) Also, it is the skill and experience of the designer you are relying on to develop a number of alternative approaches - based on your must-haves or wants and needs - to a design solution.

When you enter into the process with a design professional with too many preconceived notions ahead of time, you are really just negating the input and creativity they bring to the table.

Let them do their thing - that's what you are paying for. A good designer will continue to offer as many versions or conceptualizations for the space as you need to make your decision.

@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) I wish I could agree :)

We have redesigned a few gardens now, but in small urban locations. I can't stress enough how important it was for me to know exactly what I wanted going in, and not leave it up to the "vision" of the person who would not be living in the space. While its great to get new perspectives from a professional, I was totally unhappy with the end result when I left my landscaping in the hands of a pro who did not take the time to understand how we would really use the space and what we wanted in it. This time we are driving the proverbial bus and would like to go in with clear ideas of what we "must have". Certainly the process works best when both sides keep an open mind.

That said, we are at the idea phase and I appreciate all input!

You just have not found a good designer. As much research and investigation should go into selecting the professional you hire as accumulating ideas you might like to incorporate....maybe more. A good designer with a portfolio of satisfied customers would not leave you with a design you were not happy with. The design is done when YOU say it is done, not before!

And if you want to firm down what you 'must have', once again I am not sure why you are looking here......by definition, 'must haves' are what you can't or won't live without. Most folks already know what these things are. I'm not sure I understand why you are looking at us to provide them.

Sounds to me like you think you are up to it and need to be working on your own master plan, which is primarily the organization of the whole property. It is not just about planting, but where every component of the yard goes. This begins by drawing a base plan of the whole property. A base plan shows all of the existing features that will remain, and nothing that won't. There might end up being different versions of the base plan that are useful for helping to figure out some of the development. For example, underground or overhead utilities might show on a base plan in which you would figure out where to place a swimming pool. The utilities may not show up on a final master plan. (It depends.) The primary base plan should be as "clean" as possible. You can add anything later to another version of it or to the subsequent master plan. I don't even show tree canopies, other than maybe the outline edge of a forest canopy. I do show tree trunks, literally as close to their real trunk diameter size a possible. If something might change, I don't include it.

Insofar as scale, 1/8" or 1/10" = 1' is pretty good for a yard. But due to the length of your yard, it's probably not going to fit on one piece of paper. You might split it to something along the lines of 55% starting at the front on one sheet, and 55% starting at the back for a second sheet, such that there is some overlap in order to help each sheet read on its own. Bring your work here for guidance and constructive criticism at any point along the journey.

A main and first objective of creating a master plan is to get any hardscape areas figured out, shaped and placed. Once that is finished, you can move on to planting. There's no point in bothering with planting before hardscape is figured out, as planting is subordinate and able to adapt to it. There could a final master plan that shows everything together. You might have a plan that shows hardscape separately.

Thanks Yardvaark! That's really good advice. We have not closed on the house yet so we are getting a full site survey which will be really helpful for creating this plan. One thing im really conscious of is the view from the master. I really want a pleasing and symmetrical overhead view which definitely means carefully plotting out hardscape and paths. Under the trees in the back is the foundation of an old dairy that no longer exists but the foundation walls are these very interesting hand kilned brick blocks that have a nice color. I'd like to to use that as something very unique....its shaded so don't know about planting but maybe an entertaining space because its set away from the neighboring houses. This lot just has so much potential.

It sounds like a great space. Can become whatever you decide to make of it.

I hope you post updates here as it appears to be a very interesting project.

Keep in mind that just because the old dairy space is shaded does not negate plantings. Some of my favorite gardens have been shade gardens and they create lovely, calming spaces for visitors.

OP, what city are you closest to?

Some twenty years ago, we bought our first house after renting all over the country for almost thirty years. In the country (zone 5b-6 Massachusetts), approximately 3 acres (half wild woodland with vernal swamp), lots of mature maples and oaks surrounding the property, which was basically a bare slate out back. We hired a young fellow who designed the yard for us and put in the hardscaping (patio, garden areas, pathways) and left the planting to me.

He also installed a circular pool with a stone wall surround, as I wanted a water feature. This has a wide lawn around it, bordered by four curved planting beds with paths leading from the main yard into this pond garden. One of these beds is in full shade, two are in full sun and the last is sun/shade. The pond is about 8-ft diameter, the circle of grass around it is about 10 feet wide. The garden beds have increased greatly over the years, as I just cannot help myself, enlarging my planting areas more and more. (Yes, they are all becoming a bit too much to deal with as I have aged!)

Those gardens have: hosta, astilbe, peonies, flowering quince bushes, lots of daylilies, primroses. daffodils, a nice rose bush ("Darlow's Enigma"), clematis, ferns, potentilla, a boxwood "hedge" (unclipped au naturel) on one side, ilex, a golden privet, pagoda dogwood, geranium, helenium, and far too much weedy stuff ongoing that gets dealt with as time and energy allows.

That's just around the pool. Your photo of your pond reminds me of mine -- you could plan similar surrounding beds with yours, suiting your plantings to your zone and light requirements. Grass paths would be nice if you make them wide enough and will provide cooling green tones. Make the surrounding grass area wide enough to place your pretty seating benches...

Love your house and property -- DO please come back with photos as you progress and after it's finished!

@Anna (6B/7A in MD) we are right outside Frederick. Moving from a rowhouse downtown by the park to this place.

I don't know. I would not get a landscaper. I would take the ideas I LIKE and do them myself..... to many LANDSCAPERS want to do things their OWN way.... but maybe that is just here in Florida.... they want to put palm trees everywhere... and I HATE THEM!

I love dahlias - do they do well where you are.... here a video to give you some ideas....

The garden appears to be in the same shape as your lot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w-s0uJ9bP8

If you like roses here is a beautiful rose garden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAMM1bNv9sU

Here is pretty cottage garden with wildlife and a little pond

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsL6tiEgUxI

Here is a pretty edible landscape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2jE1TPlB2A

These are only suggestions.... what you should do is decide WHAT you LIKE.... not what a landscaper likes.... what flowers do you like.. Do you want to cut them, sell them, bring them in to the house. do you like butterflies, hummingbirds..... do you want fish in your pond.... do you want a sitting area... do you want lots fruit veggies... figure out what you like and then plan accordingly....

Part of the fun of having a house and garden is the planning... then the planting and then the reaping.

Enjoy all of it....

I know you’re anxious to get it started but maybe should spend some time living there and thinking on it. You will notice things that you haven’t thought of yet (light and traffic patterns, views that bother you, etc).

@sharon2079 yes this has also been my experience with landscapers. I have worked with interior designers, cabinet makers, construction and project managers, color consultants, furniture designers, architectural historians etc etc over the past ten years and never in my home owning career have I had the frustration that I have with "design build" landscape firms. I liken it to going to the hairdresser as a brunette asking for a trim and coming out with a platinum blonde pixie cut. In my experience these folks have an agenda and an idea, and if it doesn't gel with yours you pay through the nose trying to steer each element of the project back on track. So this time I am doing much of the planning and design myself first to get clear on what I want, and then I will hire someone to do the labor.

Thanks so much for your inspiration!

@Theresa24 (NeFL9a) I think finances and weather will make the wait and see approach a necessity. We are starting with a kitchen and master bath renovation before we move outside. Good advice though!

@User I live in Carroll County and love going to Frederick. You are so fortunate, I’d love such a home but further North! I’ll try not to be too jealous.

What a beautiful property and so much potential!

I'm the last person to give landscaping advice (you'd agree if you saw my yard lol, but it's mostly for lack of funds, not necessarily lack of ideas). That being said, as far as the pond, I personally could take it or leave it. However, if I were to keep it, I would like to put a gorgeous stone patio (rounded, curves, not a square or rectangle) in that area from the house to the pond, encompassing the pond to make it part of the patio. Possibly a low wall around the patio, with pots of annuals trailing down, or gardens around the wall or patio. I envision a seating area next to the pond enjoying the water (maybe putting a little water fall or water feature in it) and a water garden. I'd also put a small tree somewhere near the patio to shade it, but then I love the shade and think a sunny patio is nothing but a seat in hell, lol. I know you have that patio on the other side, but to me that looks more like a place to have morning coffee, not entertain or sit in the evening. Not everyone can have two patios, lol, but if you have the space and the funds, it might be nice. And this is where you could put your pergola (instead of or in addition to a small tree) and lights, and sit in the evening next to the pond.

As far as the rest, you have so many choices and I think you need to think about what you want out of the yard. A vegetable garden can be created to be visually lovely but honestly it often ends up looking more utilitarian, so perhaps put that farther from the house and focus on perennial beds closer. On the other hand, having your vegetable garden close to the house is very convenient (says the person who has to walk across half an acre to snip some beans for dinner lol) Do you like formal plantings or more cottagey gardens? Do you want to have some kind of historically accurate garden to go with the house? I would incorporate shrubs and evergreens and berried plants for year-round interest (although of course check for toxicity for your dog - sorry, I don't have a dog so I don't know what is dangerous to them). Natives are, IMO, a bit less work.

I would prefer some privacy so I might put some shrubs on the fence line, at least near the house, but be careful about light - you don't want to plant anything that will be too tall and might end up blocking the sun unless you are planning a shade garden.

Think about watering too. Again, if you have the funds, now is the time to run piping for extra spigots around the yard, or an irrigation system, etc.

I also love the idea of a secret little grotto in that back area with the old dairy walls. Something shady and restful and cool, with a place to sit and relax... nice!

One thing of course to keep in mind is your view from the bedroom, if that is important to you. You may want to orient that entire side of the yard to look good from there as well as from the ground. If you put a pergola or small tree in the back there it might block some of the view, or it may add to it.

Good luck, and please keep us posted as you go along! It's always so much fun to live vicariously through other people's gardens! I can't wait to see what you do with the property!

:)
Dee

P.S. All that being said, I agree with Theresa24 - wait until next year and watch, watch, watch, and think, think, think. Hard to do but it will likely save you either regret or more work down the road!

Is1114 - Very nice property!

Is this going to be your primary residence? I guess you are experienced enough by now, to know what you are trying to accomplish even if based on what you didn’t like from the last attempt with the design professional.

Lots of questions you can ask yourself - what do you like most about the property? What have you loved at previous properties that you’d like to have here? How do you envision using it? Are you going to be working outside the home all week? Do you just want a finished product to entertain family and friends? Or do you plan to do the gardening yourself?

How much entertaining will you do in the garden? Casual family dinners or big get togethers? Do you think you might want something to do in the yard? Bowling or badminton or some such. A swimming pool? What are your favorite aspects of a garden? Fragrance? Roses? Trees? Water features? Wildlife? Vegetable Garden?

Will you be the person most interested in the garden or another family member? Can you think about creating a special spot just for you or just for them? A rocking chair with your favorite fabric cushion on one of the porches, with a nice side table and a pot of your favorite fragrant plants next to it. Or a lounge chair next to a water feature?

I find your property not just a blank slate, but the brick courtyard outside the kitchen, the mature evergreens that screen. And it is a real plus to have such a level lot. The fact that it is deep, will allow for guests and privacy too.

I’d guess you are pretty excited to start your project.

@Anna (6B/7A in MD) we have a little weekend place that we Airbnb in Carroll County. Its such a BEAUTIFUL part of Maryland. If you want to take a look its Firefly Cottage-- an old converted stone school house from 1850. I actually learned a lot about shade gardens in that yard because the lot is partially wooded and the old owners knew what to plant. I killed many many flowers trying to get something to take near the fence line-- poor drainage and generally shady. I finally gave up and did some knock out roses. Those seem to be taking off. I guess it gets just enough sun.

The full view of the garden is blocked by the garage and the tree to the left of the garage.

Considering that, I would add a fence to make the first part of the garden smaller.

The brown is a planting bed, the green blobs with red represent roses and I gave you an arch.

I would put the vegetable garden in the back somewhere that gets a lot of sun.

The shed would be a good place for a large rose. Here is a photo from Pinterest.

I would use the brick patio for the dining area.

I like the pond but it is not in a good location.