Name: Geoff & Mike
Location: Williamsburg — Brooklyn, New York
We moved into our Brooklyn apartment just 4 months ago from a tiny 1 bedroom in Manhattan. With the move, our outdoor space went from an un-usable fire escape to a 400 square foot yard in desperate need of some TLC!
Having about half a green thumb between us, our first major accomplishment was getting grass to grow on a very thin layer of topsoil. To that we added a number of container plants, and are even growing some flowers from bulbs. We've also had to design around our 2-year-old MinPin who will quickly kill any plant within leg-raising height.
The white picket fence is another concession to the dog — it keeps him off the grass when neither of us can be outside with him.
We've recently added a small Orange tree, some vines, and a Citronella plant. Our work-in-progress has become a relaxing retreat after work and on the weekends, and a great place to start the day with a cup of coffee.
Thanks Geoff & Mike!
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What a lovely use of space! Congratulations on joining the great outdoors. :-) What kind of mower do you use on such a tiny square of grass? (I'm from Texas...nothing is tiny down here...including yards.)
Wonderful job! Where did you get those box planters?
Oh MonkeyMomma, you're probably too young to remember the old push rotary mowers.
The lights make it so festive!
really cool back yard...looks like you're ready for a nice summer party! i'm curious to know what is behind those tall fences and whether you are concerned that the pots on top of the fence would ever fall over. so nice to have green space!
Its so lovely. I live in Florida, and I have plenty of backyard space, but the heat mostly year round doesn't let us enjoy it much. This space seems so cool and relaxing. I great place for kids who live in the city.
Having the tiny picket fence to keep your poor dog off the grass reminds me of people who don't allow their children in the living room.
WOW! I know you guys won't get sick of hearing that it's so gorgeous! Looks like a whole lot of fun and it's so adorable!
why isn't the dog allowed on the grass?
The dog isn't allowed on the grass? Seriously?
This is Geoff (one of the owners).
Thanks for all the compliments!
@MonkeyMama: Greige is right - we use a manual push mower. Didn't know they still made them until we needed one!
@Amy: We stumbled on the red/orange ones at K-Mart. The long wooden one (which we added the trellis to) came from Lowe's.
@hiwelder: It's a bit of a visual illusion. Those pots are actually sitting on top of a thick retaining wall about 15ft behind our fence (the yard/patio is split - our neighbor has the back portion abutting the retaining wall). Not sure how he has the pots secured, but they've never budged.
And for all those concerned about Alfred (the dog) - not to worry - he is indeed allowed on the grass. Just not when he's outside by himself (usually first thing in the morning, or if we'll be gone for a few hours on a nice day and don't want to leave him indoors). Otherwise, he will dig up the grass and pee profusely all over it.
When we're out there with him, he's free to enjoy the grass as much as we do!