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Any ideas for this mess of a backyard we got? (Pix Included)

Any ideas for this mess of a backyard we got? (Pix Included)


  #1  
Old 06-26-07, 03:14 PM
J
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Question Any ideas for this mess of a backyard we got? (Pix Included)

Hello to all! I was wondering if anybody out there could give us some ideas on fixing up this backyard of ours! It is a mess and it's sad that we just now got around to doing something about it. Well, for starters, there was a big tree that was eerily close to our structure. My brother and I measured it last year (using it shadows and similar triangles - fun!!) and we measured this tree to be roughly 34 ft. But it looks like it has grown about 6-10 feet since last year! And this past winter here in Seattle was horrible - there were raging winds storms and horrible snow storms. Trees got knocked down all over the place, and so we decided to cut this bad boy down. We did so two days ago and now we have decided to try and liven up the whole backyard, but we don't know where to start!

There's no money for pros, so we thought to try and do a little something on our own! What advice do you guys have? I am also really into gardening and so nice little patch of earth for me would be great. I'd plant tomatoes and other vegetables mainly, but I don't know where to do that and where/how to start it!

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

Thanks in advance for your time!

John

http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458327.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458321.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458318.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458313.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458308.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458305.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458298.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458293.jpg
http://209.85.48.9/945/41/upload/p2458264.jpg
 
  #2  
Old 06-27-07, 08:28 AM
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Things I would do:

1. Clear out all the unsightly underbrush including some of the shrubbery.
2. Trim low branches on remaining trees.
3. Lose all the stumps (BIG project without a stump grinder). Alternatively, cut the stumps as low to the ground as possible and put a raised garden/planter (or gazebo/deck, see #5 below) right on top; eventually what's left of the stumps will rot away undergound.
4. Flower gardens around the perimeter/corners.
5. Add a gazebo or deck with some shade provision.
 
  #3  
Old 06-27-07, 10:20 AM
J
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Thanks a lot for that great advice! You wouldn't happen to have an image of such a yard by chance, would you? I would just like to see a "finished project" for inspiration and just having that image in my mind would be awesome!

Thanks again!
 
  #4  
Old 06-27-07, 12:12 PM
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i'm a big fan of shade gardens, so i'd suggest planting one under those big trees. then put your veggie garden out in a sunny spot.

search online for "garden ideas" or go to nursery websites for pics of plants for shady locations.
 
  #5  
Old 06-28-07, 08:41 AM
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try www.gardenguides.com/tipsandtechniques/garden/htm.
 
  #6  
Old 06-28-07, 01:42 PM
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That link address didn't work; maybe this is it?:

http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/planning/garden.asp
 
 

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