Big Yard, No Ideas

[MacCat]

@FairyChatMom

I’ve got a big yard, and also have no ideas. We’re on 3 acres, most of it wooded. There are lots of dead shrubs and trees, areas that are almost always shaded, areas that are full sun, but lousy soil, areas that are overgrown and need to be thinned or emptied. Honest-to-goodness, I have no idea where to start. I can’t visualize a landscaped yard.

So, how do I find a landscape pro to give me guidance? I can’t afford to *have *a lot done, but I can do a lot myself and I have no problem paying someone to take me by the hand and point me in a direction.

A landscape pro that could work for you might be a Landscape Architect, Designer or Contractor. The LA is a licensed professional, trained in grades, construction, materials, and much more. Their fees are usually fairly substantial, reflecting the educational and licensing requirements. They may or may not have a real knowledge of plant material or be particularly creative. Where I live, there are no requirements regarding calling oneself a Landscape Designer. They run the gamut from totally unqualified to very talented. Some Landscape Contractors can also have a terrific understanding of design and horticulture.

LAs really earn their money when there are formidable site challenges or ambitious construction projects. In your case, I think one of the latter two might be a more likely fit. Why are the shrubs and trees dead? There are plants that like shade and others that like sun, others that like both, and some that tolerate poor soil. Poor soil can be improved. Overgrown areas that need to be thinned or removed need someone with the knowledge of which, why and how.

What should I expect to pay for a consultation? What should I expect from a consultant?

That can vary pretty widely I suspect. Maybe 75-150 for an hour or so or 50-125 an hour in this economy, depending on area. With my clients, I give as much of the most pertinent information I can, for as long as they wish to engage me, include some rough sketches if appropriate, maybe demonstrate pruning techniques. If they like, I also will provide some sheets on pruning, maintenance etc. that I wrote. Actual commissions for design plans are priced differently, though.

What’s the best, lowest maintenance answer for a yard out of control?? Even I can’t persuade anyone that my yard is a nature preserve…

Define your areas of use. Any lawn, patio, play, cooking areas? Figure those out then deal with the remaining areas with mulch, ground covers, perennials, shrubs, trees. You could read about planting design and come up with something satisfactory as far as general structure, but selecting the right plants to fill those niches and conditions is very challenging. A knowledgable and talented Designer or Contractor should be able to provide a good design for a reasonable price. That’s not to say, an LA wouldn’t. Maybe google landscape design and see what you can learn about them. See if anyone promotes low maintenance, natural or native landscaping. See some examples of their work. If you see one or more that seems to fit the bill, ask about a consultation and/or design.

[Cat_Whisperer]

Some things I’d start with - increase the size of your beds to a really nice, healthy size - people often are very chintzy with their plant beds (like, 18" wide beds when they can easily go to 6’ plus). Shrubs and your trees to the back, then perennials ranged in order of height to the front.

A patio or two can use up a good amount of yard - it sounds like you’d prefer a shady patio to a sunny one. You can section off a good chunk of your yard, pave it with pavers, and plant around it to define the area. Put in a couple of lounge chairs, maybe some planters and you’re good!

A focal point in the yard is nice, too - something like a statue, an ornate trellis, a fountain, anything like that. Then you plant all around it.

[Son_of_a_Rich]

Gazebo.

[jayespartero]

You might as well consider having a hut or gazebo in the backyard. It might be a good option in order to fill out that empty space. If you do have second thoughts because of financial constraints why don’t you male use of cheaper materials. This can be a nice accent to your yard.

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Bali huts

[Gary_T]

My first thought is always a croquet field.

As to burning, I can’t see that it means any burning of anything. That would make it illegal to strike a match in your backyard, which is obviously ridiculous. Most likely it appies to burning of various debris, which typically makes a bunch of smoke, and I’d bet it’s the smoke they’re trying to prohibit. I could also see that they don’t want bonfires. But barbeque grills, a contained fire in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, tiki torches, luminaria and other reasonable applications of “burning” are almost certainly not violations. You can check with a knowledgeable local source for clarification.

[jayespartero]

Having a picnic area is a nice idea as well. You can have wooden table and have some wooden chairs surrounding it. Also have a barbecue grill just to live up with the picnic theme. You have already managed to fill out the space and have a useful area as well.

[jayespartero]

@phall0106

Nearly two years ago, I moved into a house that I love with a yard that I thought I’d love. It sits on a total of a bit over 1/3 of an acre and in the past year, we’ve taken a good sized piece of the yard and turned it into a veggie garden, with a slight expansion for the coming planting year. On one part of the yard, there are several large & mature trees and we’ve done beds under them that I’ve managed to find an array of shade loving plants who do fairly well. However, we’re still left with a rather large piece of the yard that has beautiful grass and gets sun for about 3/4 of the day (full morning, but mostly shade by evening).

I would love to do something with the area of the lawn, but have no idea where to begin. Right now, it’s just a huge patch of grass that needs to be mowed every week in the summer. Otherwise, we never use it. (It would a perfect place to put a play yard for kids, but I don’t have any little kids.)

How do I go about figuring out what the heck to do with this yard place? I think I’d like to plant a couple of pecan trees, but I don’t want to plop them into the yard nillywilly. Plus, they’ll take several years to mature, and what do I do until then?

Any recommendations for where to begin with this project? Websites, books, personal experiences? I don’t mind putting lots of sweat equity into this, but I don’t have the funds to dump into it. (So, hiring a landscaper, renting a backhoe and all ideas along those lines are out.) While I don’t mind spending time weeding, or mulching, or even digging holes or laying out garden beds, I hate mowing week after week during the summer, especially since it’s pretty much “wasted” space.

So have you finally decide on what to do with the available space? I just did the landscaping on my own yard. It doesn’t look that great but I think I have a done a pretty good job with it. Now I have this gazebo type tent with an eight seat table under. I planted some shrubs around the fences as well. I’m planning to add some more though.

[cdsilv]

small pitch and putt golf course…

[phall0106]

Actually, I haven’t settled on what I’m going to do. I did order a few trees from the Arbor Day Foundation, but when they arrive, they’ll be fairly small. They’ll fill in some of the space, but not that much. I’m still thinking about having an area similar to a patio where I can put the fire pit. It’s nice to sit outside in the evenings, so whatever I do, I’ll absolutely take advantage of that.