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Porches & Decks Design Dilemma Landscape Design

Ideas for a small townhouse patio

last year

I live in San Diego and have a small patio, about 40’ x 30’. I need to do something different. The problems are the large pine trees behind us are constantly dropping needles. The perimeter of the patio has small river rock where the plants are. The pine needles get stuck in the rocks and it’s near impossible to blow or sweep them up. The other issue is that I have 2 dogs who need an area to go potty. Currently it’s the perimeter with the river rock.

Anyone have any creative ideas to make it easier to keep clean yet provide a dog friendly area?

Featured Answer

Cindy
Original Author

last year

I loved your idea and here’s the final product 😀

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Comments (9)

Lyn Nielson
last year
I'd remove all the rock and plant grass... for the dogs

...and a statement trellis or pant for visual interest.

Can you train a vine on that railing?

The pine needles are natural, trim a few branches so they don't hang over your area.
Cindy
Original Author
last year
Thank you. The pine trees are from my HOA and they don’t hang over my wall. They blow over every day😠
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einportlandor
last year
Nice big patio! The pine needles will always be there so I'd focus on easy clean-up. I'd take out the rock for sure. I'm not usually a fan of artificial turf but in your case it might be a good option. It should be relatively easy to sweep or blow the pine needles out. Will the dogs use it for their business? Real turf would be a pain to keep watered and with two dogs peeing on it several times a day it wouldn't hold up for long. Any chance you can take the dogs out several times a day instead of them using the patio? That would be my preference. You can add interest and color by investing is a few large pots filled with small shrubs or trees. Enjoy your great outdoor space in sunny San Diego!
scout
last year
I don’t know if I would put grass because the urine will stain it. I might do smaller decomposed granite.…something you can pick up with the waste and throw out (and easily replace when rocks get low) and lightly hose.

For the needles, I wonder if an outdoor vacuum would work? Do you have a drain? Maybe powerwashng if so? Duct tape? You could also put a light rug down and shake the needles out when you come outside. I think a really strong leaf blower could work also.
Cindy
Original Author
last year
I have a leaf blower and a vacuum and neither one can get all the needles out. I literally was just out there picking them up by hand and I know there will be more by tonight! We used to have the smaller granite, but the pine needles also got stuck in there. I think I’m leaning towards a border of artificial turf and then some raised planters. That way I can blow the needles out.

Anyone know how to kill a pine tree? Asking for a friend🤪
PRO
lisedv
last year
Nice large patio! Here's an illustration of artificial turf with planters along the exterior wall. I'm sure a shop-vac would work to pick-up the pine needles.
jackowskib
last year
Beautiful! Maybe you can find one of those vintage manual sweepers to easily pick up any stray needles. Or a Roomba, lol.
Cindy
Original Author
last year
Those needles are my nemesis 😡

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