My old backyard needs help. Can you give any suggestions?
sweetshome
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
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njmomma
2 years agonjmomma
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Can you give us ideas on designing our backyard?
Comments (3)Usually, landscape projects cost enough on their own that there's no need to add unnecessaries which make them cost more, but add no particular advantage. A while later when those Emerald Greens (or any number of other plants) are completely screening the neighboring houses, one would wonder why was extra $ spent on raising the grade. And that's the question I pose now, why must the grade be raised? Plant material alone is perfectly capable of getting to the height that would screen the undesirable views. The large expense of raising the grade CREATES problems and saves only a year or two of waiting for plants to get taller. You have a basically normal looking back yard. The pitch is nothing out of the ordinary. Planting alone can accomplish all the screening that's needed. And a garden is no problem. Usually, they're not raised. They're just plots on flat or gently sloping ground. I do not understand why you think the grade must be raised or that doing so provides some great advantage. The way I see it, it adds unnecessary cost and complications you'd be better off without....See Moreplease help with shrub/tree suggestions for my backyard
Comments (3)Be aware that while the Grewia can be kept fairly narrow if trained as an espalier, if not so trained it will grow as a wide bush. I'd suggest starting off with espalier trained 5 or 15 gallon size from the nursery. This shrub may also drop some foliage in your freezes, but is generally safe to use as an evergreen hedge if you seldom drop below 27ðF or so. Your much warmer winter days may give you better evergreen character in winter, they can tend to thin out a bit in colder winters here in northern California. As to amending your soil, it depends on what you have to start with. First thing is to dig any planting pit at least 2 to 3 times wider than your container size, but no deeper, and flood test to see that water drains fully within a couple of hours. I generally do amend the backfill 50% with aged compost or similar, but current horticultural research says this is unnecessary, and a surface application of compost as mulch is more beneficial, repeated once or twice a year. I'd suggest you get a copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book as a good general reference for your gardening and plant questions, it should answer most any gardening question you might have....See Morebackyard landscape plan.. any suggestions to this?
Comments (4)Karen, I looked at your website and you clearly have very good taste and a very good "eye". You are turning an adorable house into a "droll-worthy" house. Given that, I anticipate that you will make major changes to this plan as you move from abstract to reality. I hope you don't mind, but I've included a link to the album of your home for others to get a better sense of how it is situated. One thing that is immediately clear from the photos is how close you are to your neighbors. Bearing that in mind when looking at your plan, you may not be leaving enough room for those trees along the fence line. If you have to move those trees closer into to your yard, how will that impact your deck? (I can't see the writing to see the measurements! Darn these old eyes!)(I mean, darn these middle-aged eyes!) But keep in mind that most trees, even ornamental ones, should be planted no closer than 8-10 feet from the house. Also, looking at your plan, again without the ability to see the measurements, things do seem a bit cramped. Also, remember that most trees (unless you fork over the big bucks for very mature trees) will take some years before their canopy is high enough for you to be under them. For the first few years, you will be in front of them and having to accomodate their spread. You must think about the size and spread of the trees at planting and at maturity. Finally, I have a question about what will be behind you eventually. Right now it is an open space. If is remains an open space you should definitely take advantage of that in your landscaping....open up your landscaping to the sweeping views. If, however, more houses are planned for back there, then you will likely want to be sure that you've accounted for that in your plan. Patty Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of the house and yard...See MoreNewbee needs Help -- My backyard turned into a swamp
Comments (4)The mix you created absorbs water very well. But it could also drain away rather quickly. What's it like there now? You have to watch things over a certain period of time to see what the long term viability of plants will be. Once I put in raised beds alonside this beautiful walkway up to my front steps. Did it during a drought year, actually several drought years. But come to find out, when it did actually rain, my front yard turned into a stream! The bed borders conveniently channeled all the water right up to my front steps! All I'm saying is don't get discouraged. Embrace your yard for what it is, as others have suggested, and make the best of what you've got. I'll bet it's not so bad now. Plus, once you get some vegetation in, it will soak up some of the water. Forget about tomatoes though! Like Carol said, those you can do in pots. But there are other vegetables that might LOVE that soil. Squahes, melons and cukes all come to mind. Blueberries--you can find types in every size imaginable. There are gazillions of other options, edible and otherwise, but I'm just tossing out a few ideas to get started....See Morenjmomma
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