| When it comes to the back yard, your designs | | | | If your back yard already has some elements |
| should center around maximizing the amount of | | | | in place-such as a swimming pool or barbecue |
| usable living space you have, rather than | | | | area-your new designs will need to take these |
| focusing totally on the appearance of the | | | | existing fixtures into account. |
| space as in the front yard. | | | | |
| | | | You'll also need to work with or modify the |
| Define your Needs | | | | existing terrain. For example, if your back |
| | | | yard is on a gentle slope, you may want to |
| The first thing to consider when designing | | | | have that slope partially or fully leveled to |
| your back yard is what you want out of the | | | | provide flat surfaces that are easier to work |
| space. Do you want a place for your children | | | | with. Partial leveling to create tiers of |
| to play? Or, would you prefer an | | | | different levels is a great way of adding |
| entertainment area with a barbecue and eating | | | | interest to the back yard, and of creating |
| area, or a quiet space with a small pond, for | | | | 'rooms' that define the different areas of |
| relaxation? Perhaps you would like a flower | | | | the space. |
| garden, herb garden, or vegetable patch, or | | | | |
| an easy-care space that doesn't require you | | | | Privacy in the Back Yard |
| to spend your weekends doing maintenance | | | | |
| work? | | | | Your front yard is a more public space-in the |
| | | | back yard, privacy is generally a much more |
| One of the most important considerations at | | | | important issue. A high fence or tall plants |
| this stage is deciding how much time you are | | | | and trees will help to create a private |
| willing to spend on maintenance. If you don't | | | | space, and reduce the effects of noise from |
| want to spend large amounts of time on yard | | | | surrounding neighbors. |
| maintenance work and gardening, you'll need | | | | |
| to focus on creating low-maintenance spaces | | | | Note that if your back yard is not currently |
| and choosing plants that don't require | | | | fenced and you want to add one, you may need |
| special care. | | | | to check local building codes and make sure |
| | | | you know where you property boundaries are, |
| Create Clearly Defined Spaces | | | | to ensure that you build your fence according |
| | | | to code and within your boundaries. |
| Once you know what needs your back yard will | | | | |
| be designed to fulfill, you can divide up the | | | | Choosing Plants |
| space into different areas that can carry out | | | | |
| those functions. This is a particularly | | | | When choosing plants, consider the following |
| important aspect of design, not only because | | | | factors: |
| you need to ensure that each are has enough | | | | |
| space, but also because you want to create | | | | - The height and girth of fully mature trees |
| clearly-defined spaces that transition into | | | | and shrubs-how much space will these take up |
| each other, to create a harmonious overall | | | | once they reach maturity? Trees and shrubs |
| effect. | | | | should be planted so that their root systems |
| | | | do not cause disturbances as they grow. |
| Mapping your Back Yard | | | | |
| | | | - Space and height are also important |
| One of the best ways of creating attractive | | | | considerations when creating back yard |
| spaces that fulfill your desired functions is | | | | 'rooms'. Taller plants can be used to create |
| to first create a map of the space you're | | | | areas of privacy within the yard and help to |
| working with. Measure out your back yard, and | | | | create a feeling of having separate spaces |
| use graph paper to create a map of the space. | | | | that serve different functions. |
| Then, mark out any existing structures such | | | | |
| as swimming pool, garden shed, patio and | | | | - Are you choosing plants that are suitable |
| other fixtures. | | | | for your climate? In a hot, dry climate |
| | | | choosing drought-resistant plants is crucial, |
| Next, take another walk in your back yard, | | | | and choosing trees and shrubs that tolerate |
| and map the natural flow of traffic to the | | | | frost and cold weather is important if you |
| different areas. For example, on your map | | | | live in an area that experiences very cold |
| plot out the movement paths you take to reach | | | | winters. |
| the pool, shed, and other fixtures. These | | | | |
| will be the areas where you place walkways or | | | | - Choose plants with different textures and |
| paths. Adding walkways is a great way of | | | | interest features in terms of leaf length and |
| creating 'rooms' in the back yard, which can | | | | shape, light and dark-colored leaves, and the |
| then be designed with different functions in | | | | overall shape of the plant. In general, |
| mind. With these elements mapped out, you can | | | | choose a greater number of fine-textured |
| then plan how to add plants, trees and shrubs | | | | plants and use coarser-textured plants for |
| to complement the different areas, and plan | | | | accents. |
| the uses for each area you have created. | | | | |
| | | | - Choose plants that flower at different |
| Working with what you Have | | | | times to create interest in the yard all year |
| | | | round. |