Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Blank slate backyard needs you! PsIP
Hey ladies,
DH and I moved into our place about 6 weeks ago and are starting to think about landscaping. We both know next to nothing but are willing to learn! So far we put a vegetable garden in (left side of the yard-not planted when I took the pics) and planted some sunflowers (along white garage).
The back of our yard is covered in full or partial share due to the three trees whose trunks you can see in the pictures. We do not use the back 1/3 of our yard and want to put something low maintenance there. At first I was thinking ground cover like ivy but then I saw some of you talk about it being invasive and got scared. I also thought about hostas, but there is a lot of space so I need more ideas.
I'm new to this but I think we are USDA zone 5 and we have okay soil, but fairly sandy. What do you think?
(PS: I know the chain link fence is an eye-sore but it has to stay.)
TTC September 2010 thru October 2011
SA February 2011: Normal
RE App. October 2011 - Recc. Clomid and IUI
Taking a break from TTC to pursue adoption
Met our 2 year old son in Russia July 2012!
Court trip October 2012
Home November 24 2012!
adoption blog: addingaburden.com
Re: Blank slate backyard needs you! PsIP
Hi Jillian!
If it were me I'd put a large curvy flowerbed. Add some edging and 3" or more of mulch. Then add some cheap/free perennials like hostas and daylilies. You can get them from friends, family, or plant swaps (typically in the spring). There are also lots of plant sales each spring hosted by garden clubs. Otherwise big box garden centers like HD, Menard's, and Shopko will have things on towards the end of the season but they mostly carry sun plants (unless they have a permanent structure for their garden center that creates shade). Local garden centers will start discounting things too.
Honestly though if you're looking for low maintenance just keep it as grass. You can mow it and maintain it much easier than flowerbeds or most ground cover. I have lots and lots of shade ground cover but I still have to pull the tall weeds that make their way through. Mowing helps control those and keeps the area looking nice with little effort.
That truly IS a blank slate. Have you thought about hiring a CPLD?
You need a patio right there in the middle. It doesn't have to be large, just at least you should build an oversized landing to link the two doorways there (are they 2 separate buildings?) together. Then I'd make a really large planting bed all around the perimeter and cram it full of shrubs (to screen) and flowering perennials.
Thanks for your reply! What kind of shade ground cover do you have? I don't mind a little maintenance like pulling weeds- I more meant I am not looking to have a bed that I replant every spring with flowers.
TTC September 2010 thru October 2011
SA February 2011: Normal
RE App. October 2011 - Recc. Clomid and IUI
Taking a break from TTC to pursue adoption
Met our 2 year old son in Russia July 2012!
Court trip October 2012
Home November 24 2012!
adoption blog: addingaburden.com
I totally agree about having a patio. I would love to put slate in with moss growing between the "tiles" (the irregular looking ones). Not in the budget right now though. The garage and house are detached- is that what you are asking?
I have not thought about hiring a CPLD- I don't even know what that is! haha. But again, our budget is limited so we are going to do the work ourselves
TTC September 2010 thru October 2011
SA February 2011: Normal
RE App. October 2011 - Recc. Clomid and IUI
Taking a break from TTC to pursue adoption
Met our 2 year old son in Russia July 2012!
Court trip October 2012
Home November 24 2012!
adoption blog: addingaburden.com
Jillian, do I remember you posting on the Grand Rapids board a while back? If you're living in West Michigan, once you get a plan, I suggest heading to Allendale. Countryside Greenhouse is marking down off of their stuff, and they already have great deals.
If I were planning a corner of your yard, I'd plant a small flowering dogwood tree, some hostas, and some cranesbill.
Yes you remember right! We have since moved to Holland
Thanks for the tip- I'll have to see if I can get DH to drive over there with me sometime this week!
TTC September 2010 thru October 2011
SA February 2011: Normal
RE App. October 2011 - Recc. Clomid and IUI
Taking a break from TTC to pursue adoption
Met our 2 year old son in Russia July 2012!
Court trip October 2012
Home November 24 2012!
adoption blog: addingaburden.com
CPLD = Certified Professional Landscape Designer. Go to the APLD website and find someone in your area, call them & ask about their fee structure. Most will consult on an hourly basis. They come out and walk around the property while you take notes. Or, they can draw up a complete plan for you (several hundred bucks in most cases).
You can check with your local full service garden center as well, sometimes they offer similar services for little or even no money. Or, you can just keep posting pictures and asking questions and we'll be happy to help you out for FREE!
Make a pregnancy ticker