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 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

January is a perfect time to select shrubs, trees, groundcover and any other ornamental for the backyard and garden areas.

photo credit: skypilot2005

Today I have been selecting shrubs for the yard. I will probably need to remove the trees by the road. I want a tree or shrub that will provide more privacy and act as a noise and wind barrier. It also needs to be tougher than the average plant.

I think I will go with Spartan Juniper. It grows 15 foot tall and 3 foot wide. I need a shrub that will not interfere with electrical lines and this should do well. It will also provide more privacy and act as a break for noise. My first search has not found any problems with this shrub but I will look one more time. It’s best to really research a new plant, shrub or tree before you add it to your yard.

photo credit: dougww

I also want to get a few Mountain Laurel shrubs. I have always liked the colors and look and they will be good for naturalizing the backyard down by the creek.

I will place my order this weekend so that my selection will still be available. They will ship my order in April.

I also started Rose of Sharon shrub seeds a few weeks ago. They are about one inch tall and look healthy.

Tip: for Rose of Sharon seeds I place then in a wet paper towel and let set for 3 days then plant in soil. This softens the seed casing and the seedling usually emerges in a week. My success rate is very high using this method.

Around the Spartan Juniper shrubs I will be growing a few ground covers so that will be my next backyard garden project this weekend. Selecting a few groundcovers that will grow well with junipers.

photo credit: cliff1066™

And after I have groundcovers and shrubs selected, its time to get the few fruit trees I need.

Even in the winter months there are garden projects that can be planned and taken care of.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, backyard oasis, backyard oasis planning, selecting shrubs for backyard

My front yard has a 90-degree angle or slope, from the road down to the house. Now normally that’s not a problem and the slope look nice when its mowed.

photo credit: brewbooks

But this year our abundant rain created quite a problem and when the drain directly across the hill filled with rock from a rockslide my yard turned into a waterfalls.

Four and one half hours of water crossing the road and bringing rocks, branches, dirt, garbage and anything else that fell in it path into the yard created quite a mess. The water current also uprooted a shrub and ripped out all my perennials.

After the chaos was done, I had a rock pile in front of the house, no yard and the beginning of an idea of how to make sure that this would not happen again.

How would I do this? With a raised shrub bed up near the road, a garden area just below that and a retaining wall at the end of the garden on a hill and before the new drive way.

photo credit: mikeporcenaluk

The driveway would also have drainage and a dry creek, just in case I ever had water again. I drew my ideas on paper, started accumulating my needed supplies and knew that a project this big would take a year to complete, if I wanted to keep costs reasonable.

You may also need a garden on a hill to divert or slow water or to create an area that does not need mowed. You can add color and beauty, cut down on yard work and make sure your soil is stabilized in case of a flood or water run off.

To prepare my yard I picked up the biggest rocks that washed in the yard, tried to find what perennials I could salvage then laid down heavy cardboard to kill the grass. I had such a mess this was the easiest way to deal with the problem.

You may want to prepare the soil by removing weeds or any undesirable large rocks or boulders. It is good to leave some large rocks, however, for interest and for ground stability purposes.

photo credit: stereogab

Next I Mixed organic mulch and compost in topsoil and layered it on the cardboard base. If your mixing a the mulch into the ground two to four inches will be sufficient. I used 10 inches of my soil mix.

Next I studied my plant and shrub plan, lightly sprayed the soil to make it firm and let it set for a day. Then I tamped it in place and prepared to lay out my garden plan.

My plan involved shrubs, perennials, and rocks to help direct any excess water.

Next I Dug furrows along the contour of the hill to allow water to flow between the plants rather than running straight down the hill. This will direct the water to flow along the plants, then down and away from your home.

My next plan was to make sure the drive was put in the way I wanted it. Then on to the shrubs and plants.

Part two will follow in a few days

Technorati Tags: backyard design, hillside garden design

Reading gardens or rooms are taking root across America. Many towns are actually creating reading gardens in parks and community centers.

photo credit: David Masters

Why not create a reading garden in your backyard where you can escape from the stress and pace of today’s society?

Take a look at your backyard. Do you have an area that is not in use or could be revamped to include a clear area and a hammock or bench. And by adding shade or light, flowers and plants, you can create a personal getaway that inspires you.

Will you also want to use this area at night? Proper lighting and a fire pit may also add to your reading area. Color, shape and contrast are also important to take into consideration when planning your design. They all add to the comfort that you are trying to create.

Start your reading room project by clearing out debris, sticks, stones and weeds. Mow the area well and trim around any shrubs and trees. At this time I look to simplify my area by mulching around trees and shrubs so that trimming is not an added chore to the backyard.

When creating your reading room, remember its for reading and enjoyment so choose low- maintenance flowers and plants. And to create privacy and quiet, try a hedge or screen of ivy. Annual and perennial vies and a screen will also help add privacy and create almost a secret garden reading room.
photo credit: mrhayata

A border of flowers, plants, stones or shrubs can set off your outdoor “reading room.” If there’s no tree for shade, try taller shrubs, bushes or ivy on a trellis or a canopy if shade is essential.

And an arbor would add color, shade and privacy if you have the room and want to take on a larger backyard project. Add grapes and perennial flowering vines to the arbor for a unique look and added privacy.

Your reading room design is all about fitting you and your families needs into a space when quiet and resting can be achieved. Open up a book and experience the beauty and inspiration of your reading garden.

Technorati Tags: a reading room, backyard design, backyard oasis, create a reading room, reading garden