Patio is blazing hot in the summer and their is no privacy.
Comments (14)
functionthenlook
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Privacy and shade in small footprint?
Comments (9)I've looked at photos of them planted on strips of land smaller than the space I have. Supposedly the trunk and roots can grow in a 2x2 cut-out in concrete and I have more than 4X4 space. I'm planning to get a 15 gallon pruned into a standard tree form for eatch end of the patio and use a patio umbrella for a couple years while I wait for it to grow out. I would just have to make sure that the lowest branches start higher than the 6 ft fence.so there is space for the branches to spread. I'd want the lowest branches to be at least 7ft off the ground, not just to clear the fence, but so it is easy to walk under and it will need to be trimmed back if the branches hang into the road where there needs to be 14 feet of clearance, So, to keep it even, low branches will need to be kept pruned on both sides of the fence up to 14 feet over the street. It should not ever grow over 25ft and I plan to keep it pruned so that branches don't stick out more than 10 feet diameter from the center of the plant...See MoreHot West facing patio in Phx - what won't die?!
Comments (5)The pomegranate will definitely take the heat. I have grapes but I would not put them on the west side. Okra can take the heat as well. very productive and beautiful. I mix 2 varieties (green and burgundy) and I like the effect. Corn could probably take the heat. All citruses should be ok if they get enough water. Fig trees would also do well and provide very nice greenery and fruit. There are many varieties that can be grown in a pot. I would grow everything in the ground. I hate pots here... they dry out too fast and they're too much work....See MoreContainer trees/srubs for privacy?
Comments (2)Japanese holly might work; it has little oval leaves that look like boxwood--not scratchy like regular holly. It grows very slowly and responds well to pruning....See MoreThose lazy, hazy, crazy (HOT) days of Summer...
Comments (20)beachlily, my stepdad had shingles and it was awful, there were days when even the collar on his shirt hurt him. I'm sorry that your hubs has this to deal with too. Hang in there, I'm sending prayers and hugs, as you know. Ruthanna, like you, I don't have air conditioning at all, and I cook outside on the deck sometimes. I should have an awning out there, but I don't. I do have an outside plug, so I put a crockpot out there, or my Nesco roaster or my small countertop "convection oven". I also have a camp stove, so I can make breakfast out there if it suits me and I have canned out there occasionally. I keep threatening to get one of those "screen houses" because the mosquitos here are awful, the people who keep track of such things say it's the worst year for mosquitos in a long time, that we're having the "perfect storm" of heat and wet for them. The bats and barn swallows are loving it, though. It got to be 92 here on Friday and 88 on Saturday, with humidity hovering in the high 80s. I decided to just ignore it and so on Saturday I mowed the lawn, finally cleaned and folded the pool cover, gave the outside trim on the house a coat of Kilz because we're painting the house, and then went inside and canned a batch of Habenero Gold. I figure if it's hot, it just is and a bit more doesn't make a difference. Yesterday I compensated by spending 7 hours in the garden, rototilling, raking and hoeing. There was a decent breeze and it only went up to 84F so it wasn't so bad, but it didn't cool down at night and Elery ended up sleeping on the couch in front of the open sliding door and with the fan blowing With both dogs. His house has air conditioning and so he's not used to it. Annie...See MoreKendrah
2 years agoVery large free standing umbrella. They can tilt so as to obstruct more of the neighbor's view in. How about adding planters that have trellis backs to them. Not permanent and you can grow dense vines up them. Here is just one example. They come in many colors, shapes, sizes, and materials.
Bamboo Planter With Trellis · More Info
freedomplace1
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoYou say you can’t build any permanent structures, but can you put up a canopy of some type, as mentioned? Or how about a portable gazebo? Or a tent?
All of those options could work. My personal choice would probably be a portable gazebo + some type of outdoor AC unit(s).
olychick
2 years agoIt seems a critical word is "permanent." I know it depends on where you live, but I was able to get around a property line setback and avoid taxes on a small woodshed because the posts are not permanently attached in the ground but (I can't quite remember, maybe put in concrete blocks or something??) so it isn't considered a permanent building.
I've seen some really creative "temporary" shade structures using PVC and 5 gallon buckets filled with concrete to hold the posts, which shade structures can then be attached to. The buckets can be disguised in decorative pots or other creative ways or just use inexpensive large pots. Nothing permanent about them; they can be moved or disassembled easily. The curtains can be opened and tied back if wind ever is a concern, so it doesn't blow over or away. Use big planters filled with clumping bamboo as a screen on one side. Bamboo is not a tree but can get tall. It's wonderfully cooling with the wind rustling through the leaves.
You could do something like this for shade then hang curtains on one or more side for privacy that can be pulled back or removed as you desire.
functionthenlook
2 years ago
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago 
Bette P
2 years ago
PROHALLETT & Co.
2 years agopricklypearcactus
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoHow about a pergola kit? It's not really a permanent structure.
Also, I love @olychick bamboo planter suggestion! Makes me wonder if I can grow bamboo in planters in my zone for my patio.
zoey z
last yearHow about a gazebo with a door curtain, not a permanent structure but metal material.
zoey z
last yearHow about a gazebo with a door curtain, not a permanent structure but metal material.
mindshift