Help! Designing a large backyard, any tips would be appreciated!!

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

We have a large backyard and we need to put in some plants before the rock goes down!

If we could we would definitely hire professional help, however it's not in the budget. I'm not sure where to start on designing. We're in Arizona, zone 9b. If you guys can help with any tips on how to start, or anything you've learned from landscape projects please let me know! We need all the help we can get. We're hoping to use only low-moderate water use plants.

A few things we have decided on.-

The entrance to the fire pit will be wider and the walkway will be where the trunk/table currently is. All the stucco will be a warm white to match the house

(still needs to be painted). The dog run gate will be removed. A pergola will be built over the patio. The pool deck and concrete will all be painted the same color.

Featured Answer

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio

2 years ago

I agree about consulting a professional, but be cautious about any that work for a garden center that sells plants - my experience was he recommended plants that are noxious invasives here! because his employer sold them. Do some homework, check your state's department of natural resources (for one) to see a list of plants to avoid - if there are any for your area.

Also, there are plants that are aggressive spreaders or re-seeders, even though lovely and native, so be mindful of that. Again, do some homework, a bit of internet searching just to start.

I had good luck asking at the local college landscape architecture program - got a student who came up with a plan under the supervision of the faculty.

For another part of the yard, I actually started with a design from Better Homes and Gardens (they offered plans to download for free, with a selection for many different climates, sites and purposes) - I didn't use all the plants or stick to it exactly, but the basic suggestions, shape, and suggested plants gave me inspiration for my starting point.

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
A consultation with a qualified landscape designer is a minor expenditure. Maybe a couple hundred bucks at most. Having a planting plan developed is not much more. And is certain to produce far better results than a bunch of mostly armchair amateurs online who are not familiar with your locale and recommended plant selection.

IOW, you get what you pay for :-)
Y H
Original Author
2 years ago
Hmmm thank you i think I’ll reach out to some
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Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
2 years ago
IMO In your neck of the woods, you may want to do xeriscaping to avoid the water issue as much as possible. Here are some ideas for design. https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/xeriscaping See if you have a Cornel Cooperative Extention in your area. They have master gardeners who may be able to help. Also, here is another set of ideas you may want to do. Get a ph/acid test for your soil from a nursery, hardware store, or home center. Based on the result, get a soil combo that will work in your area. I live up in upstate NY, so I'd mix manure with soil. Call a nursery and see what they suggest. Get all your questions ready in advance. Measure twice, buy once!!!!
MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
2 years ago
Go to the library and get some books on landscape design to get some ideas. If I were facing a project this large, I would break it into phases.....do a section then blend that phase into the next phase and so on. Also, there's a great booklet available for free at nurseries and I've seen at the library too.

Landscape Plants for the AZ Desert

That link is to an Amazon book but I've seen the same booklet all over for free.

Here is another good link, I think it's the same booklet only the online version:

https://www.amwua.org/plants

If you are new to this house, settle in a bit and see where you sit in the yard and how you use/enjoy it. I'm not sure why you think this needs to be done before you lay the 'rock'....are you talking about gravel? Like quarter minus?

I hired a 'landscape designer' in 2008, someone who had been posting here regularly. It was a waste of money. Everything she planted died and her design ideas turned out to be problematic. (For example, she liked agave cactus planted under the mesquite trees. And a few other plants as well. It wasn't long before those plants under the trees were struggling to survive due to all the tree litter and debris that accumulated in and one them. Pulled them all out. Easy care, low maintenance was a key factor for us as we are retirement age, 70's, and don't want that burden nor the expense of hiring someone to maintain the upkeep.)

You can hire good. Or you can hire cheap. Very rarely do you get both satisfactorily. Again, I'd do a small section, with the help of a designer if you can afford it, books from the library if you can't. See how the ideas work out before jumping in whole hog.

Good luck.
Y H thanked MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
Every state has a cooperative extension service, managed by the local land grant university. NY's is Cornell but it would be UA for Arizona :-)) And there should be an office in every county. They will have tons of helpful articles and publications about gardening in your specific area. But I doubt you will find master gardeners to help. They are typically restricted from any private client interactions and can only volunteer their services for public benefit. And they are not garden designers!

ps. home soil test kits are worthless. If you need a soil test, get a professional one done.
Y H thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Help! Designing a large backyard, any tips would be appreciated!!

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio

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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Y H
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Help! Designing a large backyard, any tips would be appreciated!!

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio

Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Y HOriginal Author

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Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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Y H
Original Author