When backyard design is mentioned most people expect a time consuming project that will cost a small fortune.

photo credit: byrdiegyrl

But with the use of mulches, small plants or shrubs and garden art you can redo small sections of your backyard in a day.

If you divide areas of your yard into sections you can work on one section at a time to create mini gardens or garden rooms. Using this system the entire backyard will not be torn up and you can work with a small budget. You will also be able to enjoy the backyard while projects are underway

This you tube will show you five ideas for small backyard landscaping design ideas they used.

These ideas may give you a start for redoing you own backyard oasis or creating one.

I liked the use of mulch and stone in the video to create an easy to take care of patio area. I also like the use of small plants, mulch and less grass.

When planning your new small garden areas decide what is important to you and incorporate those ideas into your plans.  This may be a mini patio, reading room; children’s play area or a work area.

There are two ideas to keep in mind when planning your backyard projects.

1. Design the areas with change in mind. Will your children be growing up or will you be starting a family? Should the recreational area be downsized? Will you be adding a pool or removing one in the future?

2. And the last idea to keep in mind – is to keep it simple. With proper planning you can have a beautiful lush backyard oasis without spending the entire weekend working in it.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, backyard landscaping, backyard oasis, small backyard design ideas

The backyard garden is a hot trend even more this year than last according to the orders from garden magazines and garden supply companies.

photo credit: Hair Squared
Growing your own groceries is taking over homes and communities. A recent survey by the National Gardening Association shows a 19 percent burst of new hobby country farms and urban edible gardens over the last year.

With this growing trend,  gardeners and small space backyards are coming up with new ideas to make the most out of their growing area. Rooftop gardens, fire escape gardens, and container gardening ideas are popping up in towns and cities everywhere. The use of vertical growing along walls and fences is becoming a common sight in busy downtown areas.

Many years back the garden was a mix of ornamentals and the edible – roses beside tomatoes, beds edged with herbs and veggies used as annuals. And many flowers were used as arrangements one moment and as salad decorations or spices the next.

As both parents went to work and more time was spent away from the home, gardening and the use of space were set aside. But times are changing.

With the trend towards “Going Green” lawns are being replaced with herbs, edible gardens and moveable gardens. With less emphasis on a green lawn there is a large decrease in the use of water, saving the family money and time. This is also  creating more growing space.

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

There is also a movement to turn the front lawn into vegetable gardens and rain gardens. This garden plan uses mulches and hardscape for the design and mixed planting of edible shrubs, herbs and plants for color and interest.

If your thinking of revamping your lawn to a more environmentally friendly garden area your local garden center will be able to help you select edible plants and shrubs.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, edible gardens, garden trends, garden trends 2010, going green

All backyards, gardens and plants will sooner or later need some type of fertilizer. But what do those numbers mean on the back of fertilizer bags and in gardening books?

photo credit: warrenski

If you plants are growing slowly, are turning yellow or look thin and scraggly you need to add supplements, or fertilizer, to the soil.

If you are familiar with the numbers and initials NPK you will be able to select the proper plant food you need for your lawn or garden areas.

Fertilizer numbers are known as NPK. They are represented on the package by the percent of each nutrient in the mix such as 10-10-10, 20-10-10, 5-5-5 etc.

A quick reference to remember what each number does is thinking UP (first number, nitrogen is for green growth), ALL AROUND (middle number, phosphorus/flowers), DOWN (last number, potassium is for root growth). Gardening success = Up, All around, and Down!

The first number: N stands for nitrogen.
Nitrogen promotes green growth. Use high nitrogen (20-10-10) for lawns leafy vegetables and young shrubs and trees.

The middle number: P stands for phosphorous.
Phosphorus encourages flowers and fruits. Use high phosphorus like 10-20-10 on perennials and annuals.

The last number: K stands for potassium
Potassium (Potash) encourages roots to grow. Use high potassium like 10-10-20 for establishing new plants and feeding root crops.

There are other forms of nutrients that will also add nitrogen, phosphorous or potassium to your soil. Online garden websites, your local Extension Office and gardening books will provide any additional information you might need.

If you remember the garden slogan “Up, All Around and Down you will be able to select the right fertilizer for your backyard projects.

Houseplants add life and character to your home, patio and balcony. They will also improve air quality. However, they can also take up valuable space on your floors and table tops, which is an important factor if space is limited.

photo credit: lostash

The best solution when adding plants indoors or out is to look for space you might not be using or would normally overlook.

If you have a free corner in your space, you can add hanging plants and floor plants. Avoid plants that produce a lot of lateral growth. Palms and the corn plant (which is tolerant of low light) are great for small spaces because all their foliage is at the top. Consider trailing plants like the sweetheart vine for hanging planters.

By the bottom of the plant grouping you could add colorful plants or garden art.

You have just used a space that is often overlooked and you will find by softening the edges of a space you will create a larger feel.

Its easy and fast to adapt an existing floor screen or replace it out for one that can hold potted plants. Add a window box to a window or place glass shelves higher in the window to give a feeling of extended space.  You may want to replace the pillar candle in a candle sconce with a small potted plant.

Wall-pocket planters will add color in the tiniest of spaces. Hang them nice and high. I also place small mirrors near the plants to add more light and carry the color of the plants.

You’d be surprised by the impact of a single tendril of ivy running down the length of your wall. Baby tears and other creepers are another good choice.

photo credit: Avia Venefica

Wall pocket can often be picked up at garage sales or a thrift shop for pennies. And the vintage look will add character to you room, patio or balcony.

And my favorite addition to any room is a vertical garden, or “living wall”. Each garden wall has it own unique look.

If your plants are for patio and balcony areas you may wan to consider how hardy they are. Will they handle wind and cold? Should they be brought in during the winter or just protected from wind and the elements?

One final consideration in adding plants to a small area is to carefully select the plants. You will only have room for a few in a small space design so try and get a few plants with height, a few vines and plants with a little color. You may also have to consider plants for low light areas.

Tip: Remove plants from the wall for watering to avoid damage to floors, walls or rugs.

Technorati Tags: indoor plants, small balcony design, small patio design, small space design

The winter months when yard work and gardens slow down or come to a complete halt is the perfect time to plan small space design ideas.

photo credit: jessicareeder

There may have been areas of your garden and backyard what did not work as well as you intended or that just need an overhaul. I myself have noticed that when I make better use of my space I also have less work, and although I like working in the garden I also like relaxing too.

So what can you do to improve the use of your backyard and garden space?

• The patio can serve as an entertainment area and children’s play area. Add storage benches to tuck away children toys and games when not in use.
• Have a foldaway picnic table or have a movable table that can be used in another part of the yard.
• Switch to vertical gardening, raised bed gardening or container gardening to make use of small spaces, patios and hillsides.
• Look at areas near the house or garage to see if there is space that could be used that is setting unattended.
• The use of a hammock that be put up or down, tents for the children, mini wading pool, or a badminton set can add hours of entertainment but all items can be taken down or traded to make use of small spaces.
• Use small furniture in the backyard. It will give a feel of more space.
• Tall plants will soften corners and add depth making your space feel larger.
• Add night-lights and lanterns to extend your time in the backyard. The evening will add a new feel to your area and a feel off space. If you stagger your lights in layers you will also add the feel of more depth.
• Use an online landscape planner or grab graph paper and lay out your backyard Make cutouts of the shape of your home, trees and any other backyard item. Move around your cutouts to see if you can make better use of your available space.

Most important, take time and think back to last summer. What worked in the yard and what did you miss or was a bit disappointing. This is the time to make plans and add comfort and atmosphere to your backyard oasis area.

Last year I noticed I needed to redo the patio area and make it more of an extension of the indoor living space. I also want to add more night lighting. So these are winter planning ideas I will be concentrating on for better use of my small space backyard and patio.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, backyard oasis, backyard winter planning, small space design, small space design ideas