Landscape Ideas For the Backyard Retreat

People are choosing to live a more laid-back life.  As our kids, jobs, and elderly parents need our time and energy, we are seeking a backyard retreat.  We do not need to travel far, and the accommodations are familiar. Why take a couple of hours for a road trip, when the lounge area in the backyard is right here!
Nature has a way of calming us like nothing else.  The rustle of leaves, dappled shade, the sound of crickets remind us of the true blessings of the garden. 


Surrounding ourselves in nature is a theme that landscapers have sensed recently. They are called upon to create quiet, relaxing outdoor spaces. To do this, natural elements are used.  Rocks, boulders stones offer a natural feeling.  Trees and shrubs are used too, but the easy, low maintenance trees and shrubs are requested.
 


Homeowners do not want to spend every weekend doing garden chores.  The choice to use native plant material is becoming more and more desirable as these plants are less likely to require expensive pesticide use, pruning or watering.
 
Plants with colorful foliage are a popular addition in the garden.  And using containers, rather than garden beds, cuts down on weeding, mulching, and watering.  Large bold leaves like this Canna give a focal point in the garden.



Along the same line of the large bold leaves, large bold large containers are being featured.  Two advantages I can think of are 1) the great impact, and wow value.  And 2) the easy of planting, and no weeding, or digging.


 
Using self-watering containers has the advantage of keeping the plant moist with a reservoir of water to minimize dragging out the hoses.

Self-water containers, Gardener's Supply

Ceramic self-water containers from Alibaba

Picking plants that are drought tolerant, may be the simple use of sedums and sempervivums.



Plants with silver foliage, like Lavender or Lamb’s Ear also need little water.

 

Connecting with nature in our backyards is not too challenging.  Reflect on what you like.  I equate this process much the same as buying a new pair of shoes. If the shoe doesn't fit, forget it.  If the shoe is a four-inch spiked heel and you want to go hiking….. well,… you get the picture.  So your outdoor space is what you want it to be.


Low maintenance, high impact is a common goal for patios and gardens. But high impact may also be the high priced items.  The budget may need to embrace this ‘wow’ item and then less expensive, more budget friendly plants may fill in the rest. Smart buyers can evaluate the ‘value’of a purchase. One element may be all that is needed.  It is this thinking of ‘less is more’ that sets today's consumer apart from the buy, buy, buy mentality of the past.

 


Getting out into nature is as simple as going out the back door.  Make your outdoor space special.

Building Blocks of a Landscape

Landscape Ideas to Begin Your Garden Project

One of the first toys we played with as very young children was blocks.  We stacked them, lined them up, knocked them over.  These block were the foundation of our learning, reasoning, and hand/eye coordination. The same foundation is needed in our yards.  Before we get too excited about putting in plant material, we need to set the foundation.

Landscape ideas that include Hardscapes such as patios, walls, walkways, and paths need to be planned and implemented before the plants.  I know!  That is the hard work part; but this step is essential for the future use, convenience, and visual appeal you want in your yard. The process doe not have to be extremely expensive either.

We've used hard wood mulch for paths, with the edges lines with 'found' rocks.    The sitting area can be just a patch of grass that you plan to set a table and chairs on.  The walkways that invite folks through you garden can also be turf shaped between beds that is easy to travel and cool to the eye.

Another easy, inexpensive material  for a path is gravel.  Decomposed granite is a powdery material with a powdery blend to 1/4" in size. This can be tamped into a sturdy surface that will also drain water.  This drainage will allow plant and trees roots to get water that would otherwise be heading for the nearest sewer.

Larger sized gravels can also be an economical option   The gravel we used was tamped down with a tamper. The gravel and tamper were not too pricey and we make the weekly trip to Lowes for these supplies.  I have to say, however, that the larger gravel paths were not comfortable for the dog.  She struggles finding her footing and often resorts to walking in the beds.

Making areas that you want to plant may require you to 'build up' a raised bed.  This will allow you to put in lots of compost, and ensure good drainage.  Whether you are preparing this bed for vegetables, perennials, or shrubbery,  I find building up is easier than having to dig in heavy soil.  In our yard we used stackable blocks just like the good old days!

The stepping stones used here were needed because of the heavy foot traffic in an area that retains water.  Take a good look around your yard for these types of issues too.  Planning ahead will allow you to really enjoy your space.

Of course if you envision a bigger project , it is always wise to consult a professional landscape designer or architect. Depending on your skill level, you  may attempt some of the projects yourself. And a word to the wise, too often the budget can get out of hand quickly! So envision your space, enrich your space, but most of all, enjoy your space.

I've touch on a few items that I'd like to address next time.  The building of 'good soil', and  conserving water.  Hope to see your soon. Thanks for visiting.

 

Landscape Like the Forest Does

 I've been taking this early spring down time to plan for this year's garden. As I cleaned up fallen leaves, I noticed perennials that need to be cut back. Then I thought of the woods and forests.  Who cleans all that debris up?

What if we plan our gardens the way nature does?  Ground covers bloom early when they get the sun before trees leaf out.  Understory shrubs flower in the dappled shade of spring, and vines grow up through the tree canopy to reach the sun.  These patterns of nature are easy to mimic. 

When we design our landscape to  follow natures example, the ecosystem will thrive.  There is little or no stress on plants.  The hormony is high. Each species has specific needs for light, nutrition, and water. When we consider these needs, and plant accordingly, we maximize the natural expression of that plant to survive and reproduce.

Nature is the ultimate recycler.  Everything goes round and round; nothing is wasted.  Everything is a resource. In The Edible Forest Garden by Bill Mollison and David Helmgren, coined the word 'permaculture'.  This idea focuses on the 'permanant' relationship we have with nature.    The spring bulbs need the sun, so early spring before tree canopies erupt is when they perform best. Beneath a copse of trees, the sun will not penetrate to the ground later in the season.  The flowering fruit tree needs to produce blossoms for pollunators to find, to produce fruit. Year after year, this pattern repeats itself. 

Designing a new landscape, or tweeking an existing yard can be daunting.  Just remember the light, water, and nutritional needs of the plants. Group like plants together.  Dry shade plants won't thrive in a sunny moist place.  And plants that need full sun (at least 6 hours a day) will not meet their potential if planted in a shady corner. Put the right plant in the right place. 

Design, plan, and copy nature.  You'll get a lovely yard with minimum aggrevation on your part.  Don't try to force nature to do what you want.  Be creative, sure, but let's respond to gardening knowing we are part of the Earth, not apart from it.