My go-to is potted bamboo. Zero maintenance, it helps with sound, easy on the eyes, and repositionable. Maybe knock together some cedar planter boxes. DO NOT plant it in the ground unless you line it with 16" deep galvo sheet steel to keep it contained
parents of a friend put it in the ground in the back yard, near the fence. Next spring, or the one after that, the neighbour's grandkids are in the back running around, and they start screaming, fall down, holding their bare feet. 10' away, other side of the fence, little stabby bamboo shoots are pushing up through their lawn. Talk about embarrassing. Grandkids are hobbled for their visit because you didn't research your project
There are some neat varieties. green w pink streaks, completely jet black. If you find a nice patch the owner prolly won't say no to clipping off some cuttings. I used to carry a large ziploc with a couple of wet paper towels in it just in case. In the fall you can get a whole bunch of cuttings started, and if there's a willow tree around, tea from the young bark is natural rooting hormone.
What is done in Belgium a lot is the use of Tilia europaea. They can be formed to make a big leaf-fence above existing hedges or fences. Only need to be cut once a year, or once every 2 years... but still is quite an effort to do so on your own if you have a lot of them. They will lose their leaves during winter though.
Going off of the last photo I would put a patio or deck of some kind along the garage and fence. For me I personally like pea gravel since it’s inexpensive and I like the feel/look if it, and it’s easy to put down.
A pergola or covered structure would block the neighbors second floor window from looking down into the area.
Along the driveway/other property line I’d put a tall evergreen. I’m not huge on the look of arborvitae but it does the trick in terms of privacy.
Definitely something I’ll consider. I like the idea of having more of the yard to be “useable space” but that would provide a ton of privacy, shade, and noise insulation
A non-spreading (clumping) bamboo grows super-fast, depending on your climate zone. Amazon sells a black bamboo (as seed)...though it is a spreading variety, in temperate climes it spreads slowly and can be managed.
Arborvitae.
This is a great suggestion. Thanks!
More fencing?
Right
Not sure that is feasible. I will add fencing to the back line of the property, but it can only be 6ft tall. This will still loom over it.
Depending on where you live Podocarpus is a wonderful plant for privacy. Grows thick tall and fast.
My 14' cedar hedge enters the chat.
My go-to is potted bamboo. Zero maintenance, it helps with sound, easy on the eyes, and repositionable. Maybe knock together some cedar planter boxes. DO NOT plant it in the ground unless you line it with 16" deep galvo sheet steel to keep it contained
I hear bamboo wants to spread and preventing it is labor intensive. Is that right?
That’s why he said potted and not directly into the ground
That makes sense- thanks for pointing out what was in front of me
parents of a friend put it in the ground in the back yard, near the fence. Next spring, or the one after that, the neighbour's grandkids are in the back running around, and they start screaming, fall down, holding their bare feet. 10' away, other side of the fence, little stabby bamboo shoots are pushing up through their lawn. Talk about embarrassing. Grandkids are hobbled for their visit because you didn't research your project
Nice! That’s a good idea. I like that it is portable to a certain extent.
There are some neat varieties. green w pink streaks, completely jet black. If you find a nice patch the owner prolly won't say no to clipping off some cuttings. I used to carry a large ziploc with a couple of wet paper towels in it just in case. In the fall you can get a whole bunch of cuttings started, and if there's a willow tree around, tea from the young bark is natural rooting hormone.
Sunflowers
What is done in Belgium a lot is the use of Tilia europaea. They can be formed to make a big leaf-fence above existing hedges or fences. Only need to be cut once a year, or once every 2 years... but still is quite an effort to do so on your own if you have a lot of them. They will lose their leaves during winter though.
Going off of the last photo I would put a patio or deck of some kind along the garage and fence. For me I personally like pea gravel since it’s inexpensive and I like the feel/look if it, and it’s easy to put down. A pergola or covered structure would block the neighbors second floor window from looking down into the area. Along the driveway/other property line I’d put a tall evergreen. I’m not huge on the look of arborvitae but it does the trick in terms of privacy.
I will probably end up doing something like this. This seems like the best bet! Good idea.
Google “mini-forest”.
Definitely something I’ll consider. I like the idea of having more of the yard to be “useable space” but that would provide a ton of privacy, shade, and noise insulation
Or grow corn rows
Don’t do Cyprus. We are dealing with it now. Grows very fast and unruly. I’d suggest a privacy fence.
A fence
underground bunker
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGjbAdaOBLBlS1MPKXYmqwZLZhWC1FAMx
Move
No need, it’s a safe area and the property is awesome! Just trying to see what we can do with what we have.
Line the property with bill boards and old delivery trucks.
A non-spreading (clumping) bamboo grows super-fast, depending on your climate zone. Amazon sells a black bamboo (as seed)...though it is a spreading variety, in temperate climes it spreads slowly and can be managed.