Hi ! I am new in this forum and I am writing because I feel terribly overwhelmed everytime I open the blinds to see my backyard !!

I have been trying to start doing something about the landscaping in the yard but it will take a lot of work and I lived in a condo all my life and have no clue as of where to start.
To start, the backyard it's fenced with a scalloped type fence with a 1 inch spacing between slots. The fence separates my yard from the yard of my 3 neighbors and although they say I alienated them by fencing, I just want my little corner, my oasis, a place to relax and have a little bit of privacy. It's that so bad ? Well, there is the fence in my property, whether they like it or not. (do I sound mean?) I don't mean to.

My dilemma starts trying to figure out how to start the landscaping all around the fence. What do I do so the dirt won't go to my neighbors yard ? How to do to put the dirt down and how much dirt ? What type of perennials, trees, shrubs and flowers ?

Well, I already bought some software and even though I spent some money I did not get the help I was expecting. I bought magazines and books, but in all of them the houses they show and the backyards, resemble a multimillionaire mansion's garden and yard and I am not even close to that, so I don't know what else todo. I would like to do it myself because I love challenges, but I'm afraid to spend the money on trees, and flowers and plants that will problaby be the wrong ones.

I went to several nurseries and try to ask the employees to help me decide where to start but they are either to busy and in a hurry , not interested in earning their pay check or just to lazy to help. I am energetic and willing to listen for anyone that has some advice !!!

 

Jen- I see by your profile that you are living in Minnesota. I am in northern Iowa so if you live in the southern half of MN, we are about in the same garden zone (Zone 3-4). The first thing you should do is look around your neighborhood/ community and see what flourishes there (not that you are stuck with just those plants/trees/shrubs, but it is a place to start.) Look up the growing conditions for the plants that thrive in your area (check out the library and Extension Service for free info!). Then select what appeals to you from these plants and begin to diagram your fence landscaping. Next I would browse the literature for plants that require the same conditions as those you selected. Magazines, etc. will probably not give you enough info. You need a good resource book. (This is a good investment, but a dangerous hobby to start-pretty soon you see another book you "really need!")If you have cable, HGTV is an excellent channel for landscaping info. If you are close to Mpls/St.Paul, a trip to the botanical center may be helpful. The people there may have more time to talk to you. Also, try to find out if there is a garden club nearby, these people are full of good advice! I imagine you are asking about keeping the dirt from your neighbor's yard because your fence is off the ground. Building up the back of your bed with landscape timbers just higher than the bottom of your fence may work. Brick or block would be a real pain. These are just some thoughts off the top of my head. Would enjoy hearing about your progress! Momschis

quote:<HR>Originally posted by JEN:
Hi ! I am new in this forum and I am writing because I feel terribly overwhelmed everytime I open the blinds to see my backyard !!

I have been trying to start doing something about the landscaping in the yard but it will take a lot of work and I lived in a condo all my life and have no clue as of where to start.
To start, the backyard it's fenced with a scalloped type fence with a 1 inch spacing between slots. The fence separates my yard from the yard of my 3 neighbors and although they say I alienated them by fencing, I just want my little corner, my oasis, a place to relax and have a little bit of privacy. It's that so bad ? Well, there is the fence in my property, whether they like it or not. (do I sound mean?) I don't mean to.

My dilemma starts trying to figure out how to start the landscaping all around the fence. What do I do so the dirt won't go to my neighbors yard ? How to do to put the dirt down and how much dirt ? What type of perennials, trees, shrubs and flowers ?

Well, I already bought some software and even though I spent some money I did not get the help I was expecting. I bought magazines and books, but in all of them the houses they show and the backyards, resemble a multimillionaire mansion's garden and yard and I am not even close to that, so I don't know what else todo. I would like to do it myself because I love challenges, but I'm afraid to spend the money on trees, and flowers and plants that will problaby be the wrong ones.

I went to several nurseries and try to ask the employees to help me decide where to start but they are either to busy and in a hurry , not interested in earning their pay check or just to lazy to help. I am energetic and willing to listen for anyone that has some advice !!!

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Momschis : Thanks a million for your advice !! I was just about to go to Borders and see if I can find a straight forward, easy-to-understand and affordable book that might help me with this "project". As soon as I have an idea of what I am doing I will let you know.

Thanks again for the advice !!!

 

The thing which I find useful is to put something in the ground and let it sttart growing. Ricgt now go to the garden market and buy some lettuce suckers and plant them. Water and they will grow. This gives the zest to go furthet. Buy a few marigold and stick them in the ground. During this time read your magazine, book and go to the botanical garden's resource center/library or even the gardener and talk, ask questions.

Good luck
Calford

 

I think You may try to design your garden with garden design software. There are many such programs on the market. But I reccomend a 3D Garden Composer from http://www.gardencomposer.com.
3D Garden Composer - here is decision of all your garden design problems. Now You can design any garden with any plants and look on it daytime or in the night, in the march or september in 3D. And You know how to care, because is plant care calendar and much more.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by JEN:
Hi ! I am new in this forum and I am writing because I feel terribly overwhelmed everytime I open the blinds to see my backyard !!

I have been trying to start doing something about the landscaping in the yard but it will take a lot of work and I lived in a condo all my life and have no clue as of where to start.
To start, the backyard it's fenced with a scalloped type fence with a 1 inch spacing between slots. The fence separates my yard from the yard of my 3 neighbors and although they say I alienated them by fencing, I just want my little corner, my oasis, a place to relax and have a little bit of privacy. It's that so bad ? Well, there is the fence in my property, whether they like it or not. (do I sound mean?) I don't mean to.

My dilemma starts trying to figure out how to start the landscaping all around the fence. What do I do so the dirt won't go to my neighbors yard ? How to do to put the dirt down and how much dirt ? What type of perennials, trees, shrubs and flowers ?

Well, I already bought some software and even though I spent some money I did not get the help I was expecting. I bought magazines and books, but in all of them the houses they show and the backyards, resemble a multimillionaire mansion's garden and yard and I am not even close to that, so I don't know what else todo. I would like to do it myself because I love challenges, but I'm afraid to spend the money on trees, and flowers and plants that will problaby be the wrong ones.

I went to several nurseries and try to ask the employees to help me decide where to start but they are either to busy and in a hurry , not interested in earning their pay check or just to lazy to help. I am energetic and willing to listen for anyone that has some advice !!!

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