Hello AT, After a year of pondering it, we've given up and are nearly ready to pay a consultant. Sorry for the shoddy drawing, but the situation is this: our backyard is a concrete slab adjoining our neighbors, who have a right-of-way along the back in order to have their garbage removed. That means we have no privacy at all on two sides (top and right in drawing below)...
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To make matters worse, our deck rises above the yard on the black columns shown, and a great spindly tree (drawn in) is our only screen from neighbors. At the moment, we have vines on lattices (planters shown) to give a bit of privacy, and put a table in the dirt plot to the lower right. But it's very unfinished, and over the summer a broken water system killed the vines. We are clearly plant-killers of the highest order. Photos may make things more clear. Considering:
1. removing the tree
2. fencing all around to block right of way and yard from view
3. bricking in dirt plot, lower right
4. training vines from fence to upper deck for privacy screen.
But our ideas are surely folly. Our main wish is for entertaining friends in beauty. Any clever thoughts?
Many thanks
Andy
Dear Andy,
It's a bit tough to get a good view of the problem here, but we appreciate all the issues. In general, we are opposed to over-fencing, especially in small back yards, where space is at a premium and the view of a fence can be a real buzz kill.
We'd therefore go for the intense use of foliage to block the trash and other unsightly objects from view. You could also build in a "knee-Fence" in that area (one that only goes up as high as the trash cans) and then trellis above.
As for taking down the tree - if it's an old weed tree, take it down! Open up your yard, get more growing down low and plant another, better tree that will eventually give you shade, but also be more attractive.
Also, whenever you take down a tree, we say "keep the firewood!". To reuse your tree in an outdoor or inside fireplace completes the circle and gives you back another great resource.
Anyone else??
That is great advice, and heartening considering we're nervous to take down the tree. Anyone have ideas about backyard surfaces? Wood or stone or gravel?
view sfwriter's profile
I just want to chime in - I say keep the tree.
view emily s.'s profile
Commit to greenery - but first soil improvement and water- seeping hoses.Use more bamboo but confine it with barriers. Even the right-of-way could be attractive - heavy-duty pavers for the garbage truck's tires and greenery in between, if you are allowed. How about a nice trickly fountain and a bird feeder to draw you away from the negatives? I have found that it takes at least a year to refocus away from annoying aspects of a dwelling so it is always best to move slowly initially. Why hesitate to contact a professional - this is what they are for! Good luck with the war on ugly!
view Bo Placebo's profile
Great great thoughts, many thanks! I think we hesitate for money reasons, alas. But you're right that ALL of this could be better once i forget what it actually looks like. Furniture thoughts?
view sfwriter's profile
It is tough to really say much as I can't quite figure out the pictures and how they relate to the drawing. Any chance you could put up a series of pictures on flickr that shows more of the yard?
No matter what you do, creating an outdoor space that you enjoy is well worth the effort. It makes a huge difference I think in enjoying your home. I would first try to decide where you want to do certain activities, like outdoor dining and grilling (if you want that). Are you going to use your deck more for entertaining and the lower area is more of a garden, or do you want to have sitting/eating areas down below? After you make those decisions then design around that. If you have trouble growing grass b/c of shade then maybe you could do a stone paver type area for seating with gravel around it and some nice beds for planting. Your deck looks somewhat modern with those cables/rods so you might want to go for a cleaner design aesthetic throughout to tie it together. I think the tree might need to go in order to get that look. I like the idea of a cedar fence with a lattice topper to give some privacy but not feel like you are boxed in quite so much.
view darwin's profile
It might be best to read up on plants and see which ones are best for a small area - as in not fast growing or invasive, and what plants will best suit your climate and lighting. I would think a professional would have you remove everything, plants included from the place, then go from there.
Mirrors strategically place will bring in more light and add a look of more space as well as block out views.
A hard packed crushed granite would lighten up the ground and still drain. Plants could be on the parameter.
view HoustonTX's profile
I think you should hire a consultant. S/he will help you with design, plantings, etc. You can then do the labor yourselves if you choose. Of course, the more you familiarize yourself with plants the more productive your time with the consultant will be. Also be assertive about what you want to keep, your likes and dislikes, water conservation etc. Never underestimate how useful a professional can be.
view ebrown's profile
Look at art books containing showing small gardens from other cultures and traditions. You're not going to create a Zen contemplation garden by yourself or at low cost - but the Japanese are masters at creating beauty in small spaces while screening out often very banal surroundings. The Chinese don't work with spaces which are anywhere near as small but... You might see things that spark ideas, even if you execute them differently.
Having grown up playing happily in the shade under a huge Brooklyn weed tree, the only questions that matter are whether you like the tree itself and whether you like having the tree in your backyard. At the risk of stating the obvious, trees take a long time to grow - so don't be swayed by the tree's geneology. You can always cut it down later.
view Taureg's profile
Simple question:
Would it be more "carbon-sensitive" to compost or mulch the "weed-tree" vice burning it in a fire that will release CO2?
view birk's profile
Best Get a Cohesive Design:
If you plan on staying in your place for a while, pay for the consult. You can do the labor yourself once you have a cohesive design. You can possibly save money by DIY-ing pieces of the design, doing the labor yourself and by using discounted plants (donated perrenials, end of season perrenials, etc.).
A cohesive plan that includes plant suggestions, hard scaping, and engineering (i.e. drip irrigation) will be well worth it.
Check Out BHG this month:
I believe it was this month's Better Homes and Gardens which featured a house that had a street corner lot and little privacy; there were lots of privacy ideas listed (my favorite: lattice work with clematis [for sun] on one side and ivy [for shade] on the other).
Raised Beds and Grasses:
Also from last week's Chicago Tribune Home and Garden Section, using raised beds might be a solution. You can integrate seating for entertaining (which also could double for a bench while eating al fresco) and add height to your plant choices. Perhaps using bamboo or native grasses can get you a bit of privacy quicker and cheaper than a tree. Also, by using raised beds you can control the soil quality and assure your plants a good start.
Best of Luck
view birk's profile
Use native plants suited to the light level(s) so that you don't have to worry too much about them.
Now I'll contradict myself and suggest Japanese maples. Good texture and color. I like the weeping ones too.
view Jon_B's profile
Thanks for these amazing comments! We can see from our neighbors what seems to work well here--fairly spiny plants, ferns, lavender, and trumpet vine near the top of fences where the sun hits. Drought-resistant or well-watered prehistoric-looking plants, basically.
view sfwriter's profile
I think you should get this inspiring guy, Neal, to help you design your garden. If I remember correctly, he's available for consulting, and he's studied urban gardening extensively.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/guest-posts/outdoor-home-neals-total-transformation-025786
view Sea's profile
I know an artist in New York from the AC Project Room Gallery, she made wonders at an industrial fire escape in the back of the gallery... her name is Paula Hayes and this is her web link...¬¬¬ http://www.paulahayes.com/
view violetviola's profile