simple remodel ideas

HI,

We are beginning the process of planning our backyard remodel and wondered if anyone can share any tips with us! Our backyard is long and about as wide behind the house as it is along one side. Currently it is made up of concrete and there is dirt with wood chips around the perimeter. We will be extending our fence along the side of our yard that faces the street and will take out the grass that will be part of the extended yard. That side is all shade and the grass doesn't grow well there. The rest of our yard gets a good amount of sun and we would like to incorporate a year-round fruit/vegetable garden. Also, we would like to have a hot tub, lawn, flowers, entertaining space, and some trees that will provide privacy. We have general idea of what we want to do, but have never done this before and need tips on logistics. For example, how to plan the concrete removal and buying soil to fill in. We also have two dogs so we would prefer to do this as quickly as possible. ;)

Lot size: 0.16 acres

House size: 1670sf

I will upload pictures soon.

Thanks!!!!

For temporary privacy you can grow vining plants on lattice until your trees grow in. Cork screw willow grows fasts. I like bamboo. I have grown 15 foot corn in various spots to get some fast privacy.

Plant your fruiting stuff first. It takes a while for them to get going. I have raspberry, currants, grapes, apples,and strawberries. I just planted some plum and nut trees.

Little mini fences around plantings might help deter the dogs, but forget it if they see an animal. My 2 dogs will tear through anything to get at the mice,squirrels,and rabbits.

Hello QWW,

Before my hubby's retirement we enjoyed numerous career transfers. Lucky for me because I got to fully landscape or re-landscape five of our homes. These are the most important tips I learned along the way:

1) Do not start any work until you have a plan for the arrangement of the bones of your yard. That is a DRAWING ON PAPER of where you plan to put the paths, the veggie garden area, the hot tub, the deck/patio, the trees and any large planting areas in the middle areas of your yard. There is lots of info on-line about how to do this.

2) Try to install most of the hardscape before you begin planting. Put in the hot tub & the trails, create your entertainment structures and build any raised beds, etc. FIRST. This way your precious new plantings won't be in the way or get damaged.

3) Choose your trees and plant materials before going to the garden shop!!! Surf the internet to find plants you are interested in and make sure what you want will thrive in your climate zone. I live in USDA zone 7 & but I buy only plants that are said to grow in zone 6 or colder. Everywhere I have lived nurseries stock plants that will not survive in that area. When you are planting a whole yard you can't afford too many mistakes.

I could go on and on but I hope these three most important tips will help you. I am currently working on a big landscaping project at our retirement home. I'm posting step-by-step progress as a way to help those who have never done the whole nine yards of landscaping. I hope Part I of my Fairy Garden yard will help you.

Regarding your unwanted cement.... no plan required. Either hire someone else with a strong back or rent a jack hammer and get busy. By the way, we used broken concrete to make beautiful raised beds for our veggie gardens in one of our houses. I'll try to find and post a photo for you.

Regarding buying your soil.... visit several sources and ask what's in it. Buy the MOST soil and RICHEST soil you can afford.

HAPPY LANDSCAPING!!!