Backyard on a budget
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Before Spring 2010. My house was built in 1957 and I have over 50 years of old landscape, weeds and who knows what else to destruct before I can reconstruct the yard. -
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Nothing but dirt and weeds and a few perennials I planted in 2004. -
Another shot of the weeds and dirt that make up the east side of the yard -
Back part of the yard that will become the woodland shade garden. -
Borders up for the pea gravel walkway through the perennial garden. -
This is the west side of the yard that will become the grilling and dining patio area. This is the 2011 project. -
Instead of grinding out the stump of a long removed maple tree I decided to use it as an anchor in the corner of the main planting bed. -
Fire Pit project 2010. I will estimate that I spent under $200 for the materials for the pit, fire bowl and benches. I am a DIY'er so the labor of course was free. -
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Here is the completed fire pit. It's DG that has been lined out with large rocks. The benches I made out of 2x4 douglas fir, they cost about $20 per bench. I wanted benches that were low to the ground and had a casual feel. -
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The original patio that came with the house was made up of hexagonal pavers. We have taken up most of the patio and I am using some of the pavers as stepping stones through the garden bed. -
I've been making up the design of my yard as I go and I found that a great strategy for anyone doing the landscaping themselves is simply to divide and conquer. I saw a dry creek bed installed in a DIY show and decided to put one running the width of my yard to be a division from the sunny area and shaded area. -
Of course not having any money to spend on the yard I got the large rocks from an obliging pile in the hills near where I live and installed them myself. The creek bed is 3/4- river rock. At $40/ sq yd it only cost $20 for the entire project. There are two bridges at each end and I got the lumber for those from a rotting play structure in my parents yard. -
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When I bought my house 8 years ago the backyard was dust and weeds, fitting of the high desert I live in, but not very livable. Last year I started on one half of the yard and this year I am completing the second half. The yard has the full spectrum from full-sun to complete shade.
Comments / Q&A
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On January 14,2013 Sam(Sandy) said:
"Wonderful job!"
On May 21,2012 sobeng said:
"SO many great ideas, hope you don't mind if I copy you, we are in the process of redoing our backyard in preparation for a graduation open house next summer. My goal is to not have to mow back there, ever again. Great job, great creativity, thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. "
On June 5,2011 Meadowlark said:
"I like the fact that someone else started with nothing and is slowly but surely bringing it together. I sometimes think doing it in pieces is soooo much more difficult than all at once. Good job!"
On June 3,2011 Coastal Gardener said:
"Wow -- you had a vision and made it happen! Not only did you do a fabulous job, you did it all at minimal cost. What a wonderful transformation -- nice work indeed! "