Hello World! Welcome Friends! As you know we have a sizable backyard and a beautiful covered patio space that we have yet to do anything with. We have been maintaining the space but haven’t added any additional flower beds or a vegetable garden. There has been talk of adding a pool and spa which our backyard can handle quite nicely with green space left over for flower beds, vegetable garden and of course the all important trampoline. If we put a pool in I want a simple rectangle pool. I have a love for crisp clean lines in gardens, so the pool would have to follow suit. The pool (see below) at our previous house was beautiful, but not quite my taste.
As you can see, the pool took up almost the entire backyard. In our current house we have plenty of space to play with in the backyard. Here is what I have come up with to guide me in planning out the space.
1. Start with an Idea
What do we want to do with the space? Do we really want a pool? I say yes to this one! I know for certain that I want a backyard filled with flowers and water features. So, yes to the flower gardens. Do we really want a vegetable garden? I really want to say yes to this, but I know that the daily maintenance is crucial to having a successful vegetable garden. This one will have to be weighed out carefully. We also need a green space that is level for the trampoline and yard games. The decision has been made that we want all of these in our backyard, but we are still discussing the possibility of the vegetable garden. We may move ahead with all of the other portions of the plan but leave a space for the vegetable garden for the future.
2. Take care of Rodents and Pests
It’s important before you begin to landscape or change up any landscaping plan, that you address any problems you may have with rodents and pests in the yard. Rodents and pests of any kind can be quite detrimental to your garden space. I have been surprised at the critters I have seen in our backyard which is situated in the middle of a neighborhood. However, we do live fairly close to a retention pond that is quite lovely, but it is a water source for many of the wildlife in our area. Vegetable gardens are quite fetching to mice. They eat very small amounts sporadically; which can cause contamination. The steps to keeping mice away are putting out traps and bait and cleaning up the area. Mice will build a nest of grass in a hidden out of the way spot. So, before you begin the landscaping plan, take care to clear out all debris and high grass. Once the space is cleared, put out the traps and bait to make sure the area is free of rodents.
3. Map out the Area
Once the backyard has been cleared you can begin the process of placing the different aspects of your garden space. Using string and pegs or spray paint, map out the area for the pool or water feature, flower gardens, additional patio space, vegetable garden and green space. Now that you can see the dimensions of the different areas in your yard you can get a sense of what it will look like. This is the perfect time to tweak the arrangement before you begin digging out.
We are currently working on cleaning out the existing flower beds being careful to check for any rodents or pests. Fortunately, we haven’t seen any mice yet. Misty our kitty is quite the hunter. She loves to go out at dawn and dusk which is the perfect time for rounding up any little mice we might have living in the backyard. I’m just glad she hasn’t brought her conquests in the house!!
I would love any tips you have for planning out a huge backyard from scratch. As well as pros and cons of keeping a vegetable garden.
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Toodles,
I have designed and installed gardens and landscape many times with all our moves and never ever thought about mice or rodents. Is this a big issue where you live? Maybe that’s the blessing of living in cold climates. 😉
I haven’t seen any in our current house. But at the last one with the pool, Misty the cat would leave her conquests on the back patio. Hopefully we won’t come across any.
It sounds like you know what you want! Our needs change as children grow up. Enjoy the pool and the trampoline while you can!
Thank you, Pam for stopping by! I just wish I had room for a tennis court. LOL