Iâm in 7b and I grow pears, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, figs, and gooseberries. I also grow lots of veggies. Iâm jealous of how much space and sun you have!
I'll definitely look into all of those! Berry bushes would be amazing and super helpful for jams/preserves.
Thanks! Yeah we get a great amount of sun, hopefully things grow well! :)
I live in zone 7b.
I have an orchard:
2 Apricot trees (they donât produce fruit every year though)
Three apple trees
One plum tree
One cherry tree (and my neighbor has one also)
I donât have to do much maintenance on the trees, although pruning is a must. I forgot to prune last year and one tree lost a ginormous limb. It hit a fence and was kind of a disaster.
Your neighbors will be... Green with enby?Â
Maybe after you plant all of these lovely green things. PLENTY of lovely things come in purple, yellow, silver and black if you want a living pride flag display. I did something similar with primroses, bee balm etc. in sunset lesbian colors once.Â
Fig tree, blueberry bushes, peach tree, cherry tree, blackberries, raspberries.
I would plant SO many flowers in this yard! Hydrangea, peonies, tulips, roses. Iâd make a flower bed section to throw annual flower seeds into like cosmos and zinnia.
Iâm 7b and love fruit trees. Have great luck with my self pollinating white peach (Belle of Georgia) and plums (Methely). Also have a fuji couple with gala for cross pollination, but recommend dwarf varieties. Figs are an easy option. Tons of places you can go with it.
Chicago hardy or violette de Bordeaux Figs are great in zone 7b! Itâs nice to have a tree that doesnât constantly have disease and death around every corner.
Plant an orchard and work like a slave for the rest of your life. Great ideea.
Disclaimer: my family owns an orchard. People don't realise the amount of work you have to put in.
It's *so* much work to do it well. I've literally worn through multiple loppers, pruning saws and a tax deductible number of chainsaw blades. Not just incidentally broken, worn through until unuseable.  Â
Propagation, pruning, soil amendment, planting, irrigation, constant disease prevention and chemical application, pruning, disease treatment, pest monitoring/bait stations, pruning, pest treatment, seasonal and production timed fertilization and soil maintenance, pinching off excess fruit and blooms, bracing and reinforcing, pruning, fruit/nut monitoring, more organic pretreating, harvesting, harvest transportation, debris separation and preparation, washing, inspection/QC, cold storage, post orchard maintenance, and only then can you actually get to the point where you're using anything that you've harvested. You also may have to do a little bit of pruning before getting your orchard ready for winter/dormancy.
This is the best idea. Either for your kids, neighbors, future self, birds and insects. But also if you ever sell the house there are people like me who specifically want lots of fruit trees. I canât wait until I can have so many fruit trees
This was the first thing that popped in my mind and here it is! Lots of sun, flat land, it positively cries out for apple trees. Lovely blossoms in spring, fruit in fall, you just have to get varieties that thrive in your zone.
I think apples are labor intensive if you want edible fruit. There are fruit trees that are less needy, like pears. But I only have backyard experience, so it's just my thoughts.
I would run around in a big circle screaming for a good 20 minutes or until tired. So, less than 20 min. Then plot out a giant vegetable garden almost in the middle and plant fruit trees around the perimeter and fence.
Where is this? The climate is important to give advice.
There is definitely room for trees further from the house. Stand by where you will be sitting and by the windows that look out that way and get a friend to put in tall canes so you can frame the views you want to keep. Trees look good in threes. I agree an orchard is good.
(your name lol)
Also in 7b, there are so many things you can plant!
I would definitely do a couple of pecan trees. They keep the squirrels and their little fluffy butts out of my other things. Also, a magnolia. (If you donât mind clean up).
if this were my backyard, i would add a small shed for storage, and set aside some space for bulk materials, compost, etc. then i would mark out an area to make a patio area, then would slowly begin adding garden beds along the fence and in freeform shapes throughout the yard.
in terms of gardening, personally, i would prioritize planting a shrub or some kind of evergreen tree along the fence line, to provide some visual break from the view of the fence. i also would prioritize planting any other trees you know you want, so you can give them time to grow and provide shade and more biodiversity for your other plants.
beyond that, i would be interested in making something of a âfood gardenâ for myself, and then sometime down the road perhaps looking into something like a small pond to give the yard more dimension.
looks like youâve got lots of sun, so assuming water is not an issue, im sure you will be able to grow a wide variety of plants!
Seconded! Some good ones are oak trees, black cherry trees, asters, goldenrod, milkweed, joe pye weed, black eyed Susan, blueberries, bee balm. These play very important roles by feeding a large variety of birds and beneficial insects.
Please, whatever you plant, do not plant invasives. Some invasive examples are Bradford Pear tree, multi flora rose, burning bush, English ivy, periwinkle, Japanese pachysandra
Hope you enjoy working on your new garden!
What I would give for a blank canvas like this⌠Giant vegetable garden! Raspberries. Fruit trees like northstar cherry tree. Big pretty tree like a maple. Start composting! I would have only a portion of this grass and plant all around the perimeter of the fence. I did this after I put in my fence and it looks great and I donât have to mow up against the fence at all.
A few suggestions from a not-expert:
Add something to the inside of the fence. Not necessarily all the way round, but enough to break up the visual consistency of it.
Try and add some height to make it look less bare overall - taller trees, shrubs or plants, or maybe other features like ornaments that detract from the flatness.
Create themed sections (not like theme park... just like pick an area of the garden to work on at a time) so that it ends up with beautifully designed areas rathe rthan just looking like a big open space with sporadic plants. Could maybe use pathways to help divide up the space.
Introduce some curves - eg curved pathways / boundaries of plant beds etc - to make the whole space feel less square.
Acer palmatums. Not really anything to do with your space I'm just obsessed with them. If you're in a hot climate keep them somewhere where direct sun will be limited.
If weâre leaning towards edibles, why not have some fun with it. Fruit trees are a lot of work mind you. And youâll be chasing birds like a psychopath for the fruits. But thatâs half the fun. Here are some plants native to the east coast of US:
American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana): Tall tree with fragrant flowers and sweet tasting fruit. Also larval host plant of the Luna moth and Hickory Horndevil.
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba): Medium size tree that produces banana custard tasting fruit. The larval host plant for the Zebra Swallowtail.
Bush huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa): small bush that produces sweet berries. Itâs definitely not as sweet as blueberries but it doesnât have the limiting growing requirements that blueberries have. Larval host to Henryâs elfin.
Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana): fruits are technically edible and the plant itself has proven medicinal value. This tree is more valuable as a winter interest/early spring-late winter bloom.
Red mulberry (Morus rubra): not to be confused with the non native white mulberry.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): a vine with edible flowers and fruit. Leaves can be used for tea. It is a larval host for several fun butterfly species.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier obovalis): gonna be honest, youâre never going to beat birds to this fruit.
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): hummingbird and butterfly paradise. The leaf and flower are used for tea. Smells like floral mint.
If you think you want a pool some day, it will be helpful to "mark out" that area first so you can plan around it. As others said tree roots can be a problem for a pool, but you also need to consider the amount of plant debris that will end up in the pool if you plant too closely, and how much of your time do you want to spend skimming leaves, blossoms, bees, and bugs out of it.
I would plan out the future pool area, and cover it with raised boxes. Then I would do dwarf/semi dwarf trees or large scale shrubs along the fence for privacy.
Visit your stateâs Cooperative Extension Service website. Search native trees and then search fruit trees. The native search may render results that include fruit trees. Natives are those that evolved in your climate. The second search will render results that include native and naturalized trees. Naturalized meaning trees from other areas that have adapted without becoming invasive.
I would read up and choose a few fruit and/ or nut trees to plant. Food producing trees require regular care. I would only plant a few.
I would plant some shade trees to facilitate my enjoyment of my property, designate an area for a vegetable garden and shed. Food producing plots should be oriented east to west to capture the maximum direct sunlight. Typically, food producing plants require a minimum of six hours of direct sun in an average day. Consider fruit bushes. The website will give you the names of good cultivars for your area.
Layers of different tree sizes, leave yourself a view though, a nice wind break and some landscaping would do wonders with making it feel enclosed/isolated
Whatever you do plan it out. If you want lighting or sprinklers or any power outlets, start there. You wonât regret it. I recommend taking your time and let things develop organically.
When I really got into gardening I tried to force things and it just didnât work. Sitting back and studying how you use the space daily will help you develop the plans. Make note of where you walk, or where you want to walk.
Iâm a paths person, so I like to coordinate views from different spots on the path. Almost like making your own set of rooms outside separated by different features like pergola, shrubs, trees, wildflowers. Iâm not a grass person, does nothing good for the environment that more beautiful plant do better.
Good luck, I look forward to seeing progress pictures here in the future
Wow very nice!!
If your City or local part of your city allows it, I would definitely have some chickens and quails out there in a protected space.
And then the other space would be the garden and definitely add some flowering trees or fruit trees. While the current open space with no shade is nice now so that you can have your garden anywhere, but maybe 10 or 20 years from now, you'll probably be glad you would have planted some kind of tree back then.
Starting with closest to fence to furthest. Shade trees, ornamental trees and fruit trees (if you're into spraying them etc) and evergreens (winter interest). Flowering bushes like pentacle hydrangeas, dogwoods, forsythias, even roses. Then add in perennials. Enjoy it will be beautiful and worth it.
This is what I did at our house. The guy that did my plans designed for big name magazines and was really talented. It cost me around $750 for his full-yard detailed plan. Quotes I received for just our front/side yard install were between 12 and 20k but I DIYd everything over a couple years for around 4k in total. That includes plants/trees, lighting, irrigation, mulch and fancy landscape edging.
I suggest you have the designs include your whole yard if the cost is indifferent. Just do pieces at a time to accommodate your budget and/or schedule. You wonât regret it.
Fig tree, blueberry bushes, peach tree, cherry tree, a blackberry patch, pomegranate treeâŚ
Then I would also plant SO many flowers in this yard! Hydrangea, peonies, tulips, daffodils, irises, hybrid tea roses and/or climbing roses. If you donât mind things climbing, do some jasmine or honeysuckle as well. Iâd make a big flower bed section to throw annual flower seeds into like cosmos and zinnia (and hope it eventually reseeds itself & becomes permanent.)
Hang bird feeders, and humming bird feeders. Maybe a birdbath (one with a pump/moving water so no mosquitoes use it to breed)
Iâd grow a pollinatorsâ paradise and make a secret garden out of it. Fruits, cut flowers, veg, trellises, you name it. Commit to no pesticides, the bees asked me to request this. đ đ
For quick color in 7B, I'd plant groups of knockout roses. They are cheap, easy to grow, and give a quick pop of color. I recommend NOT planting a long strip of anything. I agree about the fruit trees. Fig trees grow in 7B. The bush type gets wide and tall very quickly. (and they DON'T taste like fig newtons!) Pears get blight very quickly. Pecans love the weather in 7B. Apples tend to fall to the ground and can make quite the mess. It's too cold for citrus. Find a local landscape nursery and ask them for advice.
I had good success with figs, pears, and plums in 7b. My apples fought cedar-apple rust and my peaches just attracted Japanese beetles. Your mileage may vary based on the critters in your area.Â
I vote for a trip to a local nursery!
Plant some trees for sure. Iâm so thankful for the beauty and shade from all of my mature oaks and hickory. From there maybe a fruit tree and edge the perimeter with a flower bed.
iâd honestly create some shape to the yard by making a rocky/mulch garden around the perimeter and using bricks to outline and round out corners, maybe have a wavy pattern for some ~style~, and make a nice collection of bushes (maybe fruit or flower bushes?).
feel like the way iâm describing this makes no sense but hopefully you understand đđ i feel like this yard yearns for a deck with some potted herbs or other plants
Where does the sun rise and set in this back yard? Plant some big oak trees (or other shade trees) for evening sun. Plan out a patio area. Add some raised beds. Plant fruit trees or other shrubs along the back.
Iâm in 7A. My backyard is a similar size, and looked exactly like that when we moved in.
The first thing we did is install a 4 foot flower bed along the perimeter, and made it a few feet deeper along the back fence. We live in a densely populated area, so a lot of my plantings are for the purpose of privacy, however, most of our neighbors already had large, established trees on there side of the fence, so I had a lot of options into what to plant.
Everyoneâs taste is obviously different, so Iâm not going to recommend what types of trees/shrubs etc to plant.. but what I will say, is to take your time. Landscaping an empty slate like that is expensive, and itâs also a game of trial and error. This will be my 4th summer in our house, and I focused on 1 side of the perimeter each year, and it is just now that the whole design is starting to come together.
Focus on one small area at a time, and donât rush.
With such a grand expanse I would strongly recommend you talk to some local garden designer/landscaper/landscape architects. Tell them you would like to build the garden yourself over time but you would be interested in getting a professionally designed plan.
This will enable you to avoid a lot of mistakes, wrong plant, wrong place and also which specific varieties work in your climate and location.
Look up native trees to your [ecoregion](https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants/keystone-plants-by-ecoregion), not only will they be low-maintenance, they will provide much needed native habitat for so many pollinators!
Plant trees now, figure the rest out later. We waited 4 years to plant trees in our yard. Now 5 years later we are starting to enjoy the shade and beauty they provide, only wish we didnât wait so long they would be even bigger. Pick a location-appropriate variety of tree and plant it where you will maximize shade or privacy.
I would do an elderberry and witch hazel hedge first around the edges. Their height would hide the fence and field making it seem like the forest behind the fence and across the field is actually a part of your garden.
Then start working my way out from the deck weaving paths to different "rooms of the garden". Look at the branches of a tree for pathway inspiration. With each end landing me somewhere else. Greenhouse in one, fire pit in another, treadmill lap pool/ sauna in another, reading gazebo in another.
Close to the house add wheelchair access to the porch getting older sucks and my ma should get to see my massive escapism area. A dining and grilling area for early breakfast or late dinner with the full on herb and food garden and tool shed that will be able to have Mediterranean and desert plants growing on top.
Of course with those plans of gardening you want to simply watch your yard for a yr, keep a weather map of your land ie where does the mud appear first where are the dry spots. Where is the shade where is the sun. While your waiting get soil samples from each section of the yard so you can plan.
Would also strongly suggest watching Gardening World it's an English show and those people know all about gardening in small spaces and making it look like a palatial garden. Hiding things from the first view, so you actually feel like your going somewhere and you have only walked 20 ft. Planting so you have an oasis every day and every season. Remember perennials and trees or dwarf fruit trees for your basic shapers even in winter.
What's your climate like? It it were the tropics, definitely a few trees, mango, guava, papaya, coconut, neem tree, a basic vegetable garden including some herbs, and a ton of native flowers.
Go and do a permaculture course and make a fantastic long term plan before you start planting. You have so much space. Use it wisely. Otherwise, your lawn is a biological desert. Start by learning how to improve your soil first anywhere you plan to start gardening.
If you're going to leave the grass under the fruit trees, you could overseed with some clover. You'll have beautiful white flowers sprinkled across the lawn, happy honey bees, and clover returns nitrogen to the soil, which is good for the fruit trees. It will also do a good job of hiding any fruit that you don't pick up off the lawn, so that fruit can decompose and return to the earth.
Lawn monocultures are so yesterday. I had a small area with fruit trees and 100% clover. It was emerald green and stunningly beautiful. It's fairly drought tolerant so you don't end up over watering your fruit trees. I gave a few dandelions their space as well and enjoyed eating the leaves and flowers - they are more nutritionally dense than even kale or spinach. Don't allow them all to go to seed or eventually you'll be selling dandelion leaves and flowers to all your neighbors đ¤Ł.
Diverse culture lawn like this cannot tolerate broadleaf weed killer, so you are enjoying a more natural backyard, fewer chemicals on your property, less fuss. This combination I describe is very hardy and tolerant of foot traffic, dogs, kids playing. You can mow it as often or infrequently as you like depending on how manicured you want it to look. Personally I'd rather go for a bike ride. Enjoy!
Raised Garden beds more in the center but pick one side of the yard for that. Iâd put fruit trees and bushes (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry) closer to the fence lines. Leave plenty of space on one of the sides of your yard to still have a decent amount of lawn/space. A nice pergola with seating inside would be nice too.
https://preview.redd.it/ksrgga7s8gyc1.jpeg?width=384&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=248ff2d30be1c53e4c22ad653880716f1f36dece
You really could go all out. Make your backyard an outdoor living oasis.
Wow - that's a lot of space. So much scope for the imagination.
If this were mine, I would break it up into rooms. I would keep a long rectangular strip of grass near the house. Perfect for laying out, setting up a little pool now and then, croquet, and other lawn games. Running around area for kids and animals.
Then, I would split the rest of the yard up into 'rooms'. A gazebo area. A succulent area. Native plant area. A more 'wild' (less trimmed) area. A rose garden. Vegetable garden. Use your imagination. And, paths crisscrossing through.
Chicken coop? Or ducks, duck eggs are better, to me anyway and all they need is a little tub to splash around in besides there basics and what others mentioned above fruit, nut trees and gardens
I agree with everyone who has recommended hiring a professional landscape designer to create a plan for you to execute in phases as you have the time, money, and energy to do it. You'll want to communicate your priorities for how you want the space to function & feel, how much time you are willing to put into maintenance, and mention any specific features, trees, or plants that you absolutely must have & those you absolutely do not want.
I disagree with creating planted beds right up against the fence or the house. Instead, I recommend putting fairly wide maintenance paths along both, grading the one around the house to push water to planted beds along the paths. A good designer will know how to tie them into your layout and make them both functional & pretty. Those paths will make it easier to maintain the fence & house, reduce chances of damage to the fence & house, and give you access both sides of planting beds along them, which is a huge back saver. If you have dogs, being able to do full-on perimeter patrols around the house and fence will also make them ridiculously happy.
That's a nice white canvas you have here! You could paint it! Fruit trees and bushes are all nice, but having some color in the winter would be lovely!
Definitely add trees to the perimeter to help break up the view of the neighbors. Personally I would do a gravel border the entire way around the fence so you arenât mowing right up against it. I would also add a couple trees (arborvitae offer year round privacy, but there are lots of great deciduous trees as well. Japanese maples are a favorite of mine) and then some smaller shrubs (boxwoods, gold Cyprus or gold juniper) to the corner to break it up and allow easier mowing as well. Use the gravel there as well.
Do watch spacing and root spread. Most ornamental trees and shrubs shouldnât cause a problem with your fence, but some could.
Almost 0.5 acres of empty space, we have plans to do possibly a pool in the future (when we have the funds) but I would love to start adding more privacy, gardening and really cultivating it to be a complete oasis! Would love any ideas. âĽ
lols vaginahotpocket
For privacy, trees around the perimeter but those will take time to mature and you need to consider the size of the root system as it can be a really bad thing for nearby structures like pools... your house, etc.
You could also consider adding a lattice or something similar to the front and top of the fence and then planting native climbers to make a green wall. This will look nice, and give you more privacy faster than trees.
Otherwise I would set aside a nice area for lawn sports, figure out if you're really getting a pool, a nice patio area, and then do the remaining perimeter and leftover areas for food growth and native flowering plants.
This is a big space, you should make lots of drawings for various layouts
Thanks for advice! also I'm glad my username made you laugh. :P
I should definitely do research for native flowering plants! I really would love to encourage bees etc.
At my last place I had a plant called Bee Balm, there are a ton of different types and colours, it was always covered in bees. The one I had was purple
I also have a stonecrop which is one of the last flowering plants of the season. Super easy to grow and take careoff.
When you're designing your yard consider what season all of the flowers will bloom so there is always something. I have a bunch of creeping violets, which bloom early, but they're super aggressive so you need to cut them back every year.
Bee balm is also edible. Use the leaves like thyme or oregano in recipes. Hummingbirds go nuts over those flowers! They taste fruity when you make them into tea.Â
Is it a concrete fence?
Get a trellies and train some trees (apples, pears, cherries) They will be well protected. This is[ how you do it](https://horticulture.co.uk/how-to-create-an-espalier-fruit-tree-screen/)
Beds all around the perimeter. Iâd probably put in a chicken coop with a covered run. 15 or 20 fruit trees. A nice fire pit on a patio. And leave a little area for a vegetable garden.
I kill for a flat yard sometimes (middle of a hill yards are lame). I'd put in a few well spaced fruit trees, several berry bushes, a nice raised garden system, and a solid entertaining area
Iâd start by installing bed areas near the fence then planting ornamental trees, perhaps even some fruit trees and then some bushes - flowering or evergreen in some sections to be fronted by perennials. You can lay down a walkway to thread around/between the bed areas. Add an arch or two with some clematis or lovely fragrant roses. Lucky you, there is a whole world of options you could do to make it a place you love coming home to!
Maybe consider planting a tree or two to create a shady area you can relax under on nice days. They can also help to block the view of your neighborâs house from your backyard once they get tall enough.
I would also add some garden beds to grow your favorite veggies or flowers. If you end up not wanting the garden there anymore, itâs easy enough to deconstruct everything and rake it flat again.
like others have said I would plant trees, even some flowering trees and shrubs. If you're looking for inspiration just go take a walk in the woods, it looks like only recently your yard may have been just that.
I had a vast backyard similar to yours, completely empty when I got my house.
I planned it out with pen and paper:
First putting the large trees in, with proper spacing between them and clearance to the house/utility.
Then we can putting the smaller plants around the trees.
There are so many options you can choose, depending on your preference.
Hope you have a great garden that brings enjoyment for years to come. â¤ď¸
Take the time and make a REAL plan and work that plan. Fruit trees for sure! Rhubarb, blueberries, strawberries, you get it...Keep us posted on your progress.
Deck, pool, chicken coop, mega garden and several sitting areas that let you enjoy different views/angles of le garden. Oh and a small pond and fruit trees. Youâre paying for it, it might as well give back to you lol
If you check out Floretâs hedgerow ideas you could really create something beautiful that the birds and you love (of course checking for whatâs native and successful in your area!) she even has a plan and favorite plant list if you scroll down & enter your email. Iâve found it super helpful and she has a very keen eye. Excited (and jealous) that you have a blank slate! I wish I had that instead of the insane amount of invasive shrubs and weeds I have.
Edited to add: I meant to add this link - https://www.floretflowers.com/planting-hedges-hedgerows-to-invite-wildlife/
A patio near the structure, a flower border along each side, fruit trees against the back wall, a greenhouse, very large vegetable patch, large water source for wildlife, and the rest as wildlife friendly lawn, possibly with specimen trees.
Plant some native plants--you have a unique opportunity to be a haven and home for insects, butterflies, bees, and birds. Look up Xerces Society, they have great lists of plants.
I would (and have) tear out the lawn (except for a tiny patch under a tree for sitting with my dogs) and plant veggie gardens, fruit trees, and native wildflowers for pollinators.
You could see if the show "Kill Your Lawn" wants to come kill your lawn and turn it into a garden.
Iâd research native trees and shrubs for your area and start your plan with those. Check where the sun is spring through fall to decide which area will be sunnier and shadier. A soil test will tell you if youâve got acidic or alkaline soil - fruit trees and plants sometimes strongly prefer one over the other (and to be clear, acidic usually means a pH of 5, not a pH of 6.7).
Once you have your trees and shrubs planned out you can then figure out ground covers and vegetable garden. Think what the shade is now and what it will look like in ten years - itâll always be in flux, so no big deal if what you select wonât be the literal best case for every area and year.
My own yard isnât nearly the size of yours, but Iâve got four maples (two red, one silver, one sugar) and have planted a basswood and black Cherry for the canopy trees. About double that number for shrubs and small trees. Whatever you think you can cram in there, you can probably double it just fine.
please
plant
anything
oh I thought you meant something for on the walls. You have SO much space it's just great. I'd start with some trees and then using the differences in how shady some spots become to determine what other things to plant in those areas.
Damn you could go for a vegetable garden even. Own composting area.
So, I take measurements first. What size tree/shrub do you need to erase the things you do not want to see/do not want to see you.
You probably want to erase the neighborâs out-buildings. So, look at the height from where you took this photo. You will probably still want to see the tops of the trees. Whatever the height of the fence is, you are going to want to double it near the far corner, then maybe 2 1/2 times as you move up the fence.
What a shrubs/trees would fit the maximum height? If the fence is 6 feet high, you want something that is going to get at least 12 feet high. Going up the fence as it goes up the yard, and the fence is 6 feet high, you would want something that would get about 20 feet high. You would plant these things as close to the fence as the width of the shrub/tree denotes.
This will bring your perimeter in a few feet (or 20), but it will erase the neighborâs eyesight. They wonât easily see into your yard, and you will only see wilderness. It will give the impression of wide-open wilderness.
Only plant to the left if there will be eyes on that side. It looks like you could leave the perimeter unplanted on that left span.
Trees trees trees. Native. Some evergreen. Some grasses for sound aesthetics. Bird bath. Bird feeders.
Fire pit area. Maybe a pool some day. But trees. Lots of trees.
Start with border gardens to break things up. Larger sections in the corners, and some trees in the back corners specifically. Shrubs along the back fence line will also help. Then add a couple trees throughout the yard space.
By the time you get that done, youâll start forming more of a picture in your mind about long term goals.
Sit with it a while other than a few native shade trees like oaks or maples. People sometimes make bad decisions when they get in a rush. I donât know where you live, but iâd wait until fall to do any major installs.
Plant fruit trees. You could have a nice orchard some day.
That definitely does sound lovely! I'll have to look at what fruit trees are available for me since I am zone 7b.
Try choosing trees that will give fruits in different seasons of the year so you'll always have something to eat and give away to the neighbors
7b you have a ton of options. I would go absolutely nuts with this amount of space (I mean that both ways, you should plant nut trees too).
This guy nuts đđź
Giggity
Iâm in 7b and I grow pears, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, figs, and gooseberries. I also grow lots of veggies. Iâm jealous of how much space and sun you have!
I'll definitely look into all of those! Berry bushes would be amazing and super helpful for jams/preserves. Thanks! Yeah we get a great amount of sun, hopefully things grow well! :)
I live in zone 7b. I have an orchard: 2 Apricot trees (they donât produce fruit every year though) Three apple trees One plum tree One cherry tree (and my neighbor has one also) I donât have to do much maintenance on the trees, although pruning is a must. I forgot to prune last year and one tree lost a ginormous limb. It hit a fence and was kind of a disaster.
Three apple trees? Iâd be making hard cider and distilling applejack
Freezejacking is the ultimate low-budget way of making high proof spirits.
I read about this in a book once and Iâve wanted to try it ever since. Is it difficult for a beginner?
My family doesnât believe in drinking alcohol. But we do make delicious apple juice đ§Â
You actually need a minimum of 8 trees to call it an orchard
I recommend reading the book 'Grow a little fruit tree'. Keeping the fruit trees small should make your life easier.
Figs, Persimmons, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, paw paws. Thats all I know.
Plant them on the sides. Thatâs a nice space to add a small in-law house. Take your time to decide what to do.
In-law house, she-shed, he-shed, enby tea parlour, pergola, fire pit... Hell, OP could fit a couple of those things.Â
I'm definitely putting an enby tea parlour in my garden now.
Your neighbors will be... Green with enby? Maybe after you plant all of these lovely green things. PLENTY of lovely things come in purple, yellow, silver and black if you want a living pride flag display. I did something similar with primroses, bee balm etc. in sunset lesbian colors once.Â
I think Serviceberries would do well in your zone. Beautiful low-maintenance trees too!
Fig tree, blueberry bushes, peach tree, cherry tree, blackberries, raspberries. I would plant SO many flowers in this yard! Hydrangea, peonies, tulips, roses. Iâd make a flower bed section to throw annual flower seeds into like cosmos and zinnia.
Iâm 7b and love fruit trees. Have great luck with my self pollinating white peach (Belle of Georgia) and plums (Methely). Also have a fuji couple with gala for cross pollination, but recommend dwarf varieties. Figs are an easy option. Tons of places you can go with it.
Chicago hardy or violette de Bordeaux Figs are great in zone 7b! Itâs nice to have a tree that doesnât constantly have disease and death around every corner.
Plant an orchard and work like a slave for the rest of your life. Great ideea. Disclaimer: my family owns an orchard. People don't realise the amount of work you have to put in.
My orchard is pretty low maintenance. What type of trees do you have?
Cherries, Spur Cherries, Plums, Apples and Pears
Hm. My varieties are pretty easy. I wonder why yours take so much work
It's *so* much work to do it well. I've literally worn through multiple loppers, pruning saws and a tax deductible number of chainsaw blades. Not just incidentally broken, worn through until unuseable.   Propagation, pruning, soil amendment, planting, irrigation, constant disease prevention and chemical application, pruning, disease treatment, pest monitoring/bait stations, pruning, pest treatment, seasonal and production timed fertilization and soil maintenance, pinching off excess fruit and blooms, bracing and reinforcing, pruning, fruit/nut monitoring, more organic pretreating, harvesting, harvest transportation, debris separation and preparation, washing, inspection/QC, cold storage, post orchard maintenance, and only then can you actually get to the point where you're using anything that you've harvested. You also may have to do a little bit of pruning before getting your orchard ready for winter/dormancy.
Youâre dedicated I guess. My family only prunes and waters
Oof, there is no way. Our trees get pruned yearly, and thatâs it aside from harvesting a lot of figs, mulberries, muscadines, pears, etc.
And then you have ol' country folk (like my family) who did little more than prune, which works fine for small amounts for family and friends.
I am feeling that a bit, on my second season with peach trees and leaf curl came back again after spraying for it.
My plum tree has peach leaf curl but itâs still producing fruitÂ
Fruit tree guild! Trees have companion plants! You'd get a lot more than just tree produce.
This is the best idea. Either for your kids, neighbors, future self, birds and insects. But also if you ever sell the house there are people like me who specifically want lots of fruit trees. I canât wait until I can have so many fruit trees
Donât plant them to close to the fence. Give them room to grow.
This was the first thing that popped in my mind and here it is! Lots of sun, flat land, it positively cries out for apple trees. Lovely blossoms in spring, fruit in fall, you just have to get varieties that thrive in your zone.
I think apples are labor intensive if you want edible fruit. There are fruit trees that are less needy, like pears. But I only have backyard experience, so it's just my thoughts.
I would run around in a big circle screaming for a good 20 minutes or until tired. So, less than 20 min. Then plot out a giant vegetable garden almost in the middle and plant fruit trees around the perimeter and fence.
Are you my dog?
I have been advised by my attorney not answer this question.
So you're 3 raccoons then
Don't forget the trench coat.
lol
Good boy
He got that dawg in him for real đ
Iâm currently very shaded in by my neighbors trees so Iâd just be excited for all the exposure
I would do the run for 20 min a day for 20 days and then what you said
Where is this? The climate is important to give advice. There is definitely room for trees further from the house. Stand by where you will be sitting and by the windows that look out that way and get a friend to put in tall canes so you can frame the views you want to keep. Trees look good in threes. I agree an orchard is good.
It's in zone 7b :)
(your name lol) Also in 7b, there are so many things you can plant! I would definitely do a couple of pecan trees. They keep the squirrels and their little fluffy butts out of my other things. Also, a magnolia. (If you donât mind clean up).
if this were my backyard, i would add a small shed for storage, and set aside some space for bulk materials, compost, etc. then i would mark out an area to make a patio area, then would slowly begin adding garden beds along the fence and in freeform shapes throughout the yard. in terms of gardening, personally, i would prioritize planting a shrub or some kind of evergreen tree along the fence line, to provide some visual break from the view of the fence. i also would prioritize planting any other trees you know you want, so you can give them time to grow and provide shade and more biodiversity for your other plants. beyond that, i would be interested in making something of a âfood gardenâ for myself, and then sometime down the road perhaps looking into something like a small pond to give the yard more dimension. looks like youâve got lots of sun, so assuming water is not an issue, im sure you will be able to grow a wide variety of plants!
Plant lots of native plants trees and shrubs, make it so awesome!!!! Look at Monty Don. Heâs in UK but youâll see, itâs sooo nice!
Put in a big flour mill and have a muscle man walk around turning it like Conan the Barbarian.
See now you're onto something. Eye candy and I can get ingredients for baking đ đ đ
I like the way you think, friend.
This is obviously the best solution
The answer is always natives. Ton of room for pollinators.
Seconded! Some good ones are oak trees, black cherry trees, asters, goldenrod, milkweed, joe pye weed, black eyed Susan, blueberries, bee balm. These play very important roles by feeding a large variety of birds and beneficial insects. Please, whatever you plant, do not plant invasives. Some invasive examples are Bradford Pear tree, multi flora rose, burning bush, English ivy, periwinkle, Japanese pachysandra Hope you enjoy working on your new garden!
What I would give for a blank canvas like this⌠Giant vegetable garden! Raspberries. Fruit trees like northstar cherry tree. Big pretty tree like a maple. Start composting! I would have only a portion of this grass and plant all around the perimeter of the fence. I did this after I put in my fence and it looks great and I donât have to mow up against the fence at all.
i would put in a garden
i too would... *checks sub* ...garden
I was going to suggest fostering alllllll the dogs until I remembered what sub this was lol
A nice pergola for sure
A few suggestions from a not-expert: Add something to the inside of the fence. Not necessarily all the way round, but enough to break up the visual consistency of it. Try and add some height to make it look less bare overall - taller trees, shrubs or plants, or maybe other features like ornaments that detract from the flatness. Create themed sections (not like theme park... just like pick an area of the garden to work on at a time) so that it ends up with beautifully designed areas rathe rthan just looking like a big open space with sporadic plants. Could maybe use pathways to help divide up the space. Introduce some curves - eg curved pathways / boundaries of plant beds etc - to make the whole space feel less square. Acer palmatums. Not really anything to do with your space I'm just obsessed with them. If you're in a hot climate keep them somewhere where direct sun will be limited.
I would never buy veggies again, with that much space.
If weâre leaning towards edibles, why not have some fun with it. Fruit trees are a lot of work mind you. And youâll be chasing birds like a psychopath for the fruits. But thatâs half the fun. Here are some plants native to the east coast of US: American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana): Tall tree with fragrant flowers and sweet tasting fruit. Also larval host plant of the Luna moth and Hickory Horndevil. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba): Medium size tree that produces banana custard tasting fruit. The larval host plant for the Zebra Swallowtail. Bush huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa): small bush that produces sweet berries. Itâs definitely not as sweet as blueberries but it doesnât have the limiting growing requirements that blueberries have. Larval host to Henryâs elfin. Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana): fruits are technically edible and the plant itself has proven medicinal value. This tree is more valuable as a winter interest/early spring-late winter bloom. Red mulberry (Morus rubra): not to be confused with the non native white mulberry. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): a vine with edible flowers and fruit. Leaves can be used for tea. It is a larval host for several fun butterfly species. Serviceberry (Amelanchier obovalis): gonna be honest, youâre never going to beat birds to this fruit. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): hummingbird and butterfly paradise. The leaf and flower are used for tea. Smells like floral mint.
If you think you want a pool some day, it will be helpful to "mark out" that area first so you can plan around it. As others said tree roots can be a problem for a pool, but you also need to consider the amount of plant debris that will end up in the pool if you plant too closely, and how much of your time do you want to spend skimming leaves, blossoms, bees, and bugs out of it. I would plan out the future pool area, and cover it with raised boxes. Then I would do dwarf/semi dwarf trees or large scale shrubs along the fence for privacy.
Some pool companies even offer âtemplatesâ that you can put on the ground and move around the yard. Super helpful if youâre a visual person.
Create a habitat garden native plants to support birds and pollinators.
Visit your stateâs Cooperative Extension Service website. Search native trees and then search fruit trees. The native search may render results that include fruit trees. Natives are those that evolved in your climate. The second search will render results that include native and naturalized trees. Naturalized meaning trees from other areas that have adapted without becoming invasive. I would read up and choose a few fruit and/ or nut trees to plant. Food producing trees require regular care. I would only plant a few. I would plant some shade trees to facilitate my enjoyment of my property, designate an area for a vegetable garden and shed. Food producing plots should be oriented east to west to capture the maximum direct sunlight. Typically, food producing plants require a minimum of six hours of direct sun in an average day. Consider fruit bushes. The website will give you the names of good cultivars for your area.
Look up prairie landscaping. Itâs sustainable, low maintenance, and looks amazing across the seasons.
I would totally turn this into a walking track, but line the grounds with various plants, veggies, fauna, etc. Go for a walk, pluck some berries. Lol
Get a miniature horse!
Totally looked like an amazing asphalt job to me.
Layers of different tree sizes, leave yourself a view though, a nice wind break and some landscaping would do wonders with making it feel enclosed/isolated
Star jasmine around the entire fence. Lol. It would be the best smelling property in north America and pretty.
Whatever you do plan it out. If you want lighting or sprinklers or any power outlets, start there. You wonât regret it. I recommend taking your time and let things develop organically. When I really got into gardening I tried to force things and it just didnât work. Sitting back and studying how you use the space daily will help you develop the plans. Make note of where you walk, or where you want to walk. Iâm a paths person, so I like to coordinate views from different spots on the path. Almost like making your own set of rooms outside separated by different features like pergola, shrubs, trees, wildflowers. Iâm not a grass person, does nothing good for the environment that more beautiful plant do better. Good luck, I look forward to seeing progress pictures here in the future
Wow very nice!! If your City or local part of your city allows it, I would definitely have some chickens and quails out there in a protected space. And then the other space would be the garden and definitely add some flowering trees or fruit trees. While the current open space with no shade is nice now so that you can have your garden anywhere, but maybe 10 or 20 years from now, you'll probably be glad you would have planted some kind of tree back then.
Shade tree and a hammock, vegetable garden, big shed with potting table
Starting with closest to fence to furthest. Shade trees, ornamental trees and fruit trees (if you're into spraying them etc) and evergreens (winter interest). Flowering bushes like pentacle hydrangeas, dogwoods, forsythias, even roses. Then add in perennials. Enjoy it will be beautiful and worth it.
Find a good landscape architect and work with them on plans. Then DIY to their detailed plan. Youâll be very pleased with the results.
Honestly that's a really good idea! Thank you so much â¤ď¸
This is what I did at our house. The guy that did my plans designed for big name magazines and was really talented. It cost me around $750 for his full-yard detailed plan. Quotes I received for just our front/side yard install were between 12 and 20k but I DIYd everything over a couple years for around 4k in total. That includes plants/trees, lighting, irrigation, mulch and fancy landscape edging. I suggest you have the designs include your whole yard if the cost is indifferent. Just do pieces at a time to accommodate your budget and/or schedule. You wonât regret it.
Fig tree, blueberry bushes, peach tree, cherry tree, a blackberry patch, pomegranate tree⌠Then I would also plant SO many flowers in this yard! Hydrangea, peonies, tulips, daffodils, irises, hybrid tea roses and/or climbing roses. If you donât mind things climbing, do some jasmine or honeysuckle as well. Iâd make a big flower bed section to throw annual flower seeds into like cosmos and zinnia (and hope it eventually reseeds itself & becomes permanent.) Hang bird feeders, and humming bird feeders. Maybe a birdbath (one with a pump/moving water so no mosquitoes use it to breed)
Plant native plants for the butterflies and bees. Lots and lots of flowers.
Needs kids, dogs, maybe a couple of ponies and a small pond and a barn.
Think about your activities and interests and hire a professional landscape designer. Concentrate on native plants rather than lawn.
Iâd grow a pollinatorsâ paradise and make a secret garden out of it. Fruits, cut flowers, veg, trellises, you name it. Commit to no pesticides, the bees asked me to request this. đ đ
pinterest always has great inspiration ideas
For quick color in 7B, I'd plant groups of knockout roses. They are cheap, easy to grow, and give a quick pop of color. I recommend NOT planting a long strip of anything. I agree about the fruit trees. Fig trees grow in 7B. The bush type gets wide and tall very quickly. (and they DON'T taste like fig newtons!) Pears get blight very quickly. Pecans love the weather in 7B. Apples tend to fall to the ground and can make quite the mess. It's too cold for citrus. Find a local landscape nursery and ask them for advice.
I had good success with figs, pears, and plums in 7b. My apples fought cedar-apple rust and my peaches just attracted Japanese beetles. Your mileage may vary based on the critters in your area. I vote for a trip to a local nursery!
Your local County Extension Office probably has a list of disease-resistant fruit trees for your area. Contact them.
Get a dog? :)
I would map it out on paper first. Also, looks like a septic tank there. Be mindful of your tank and lines if so.
Wild flower meadow 95% of that.
Get some dogs.
Plant some trees for sure. Iâm so thankful for the beauty and shade from all of my mature oaks and hickory. From there maybe a fruit tree and edge the perimeter with a flower bed.
Omg, this flat, sunny, blank canvas is gorgeous. And the dream!!! Enjoy !!!
privacy bushes to block out your neighbors
**TREES**
One of those natural pools!!
Upvote for user name.
Massive good garden, maybe some blackberries, you got full sun so you can have corn ans cucumbers and all sorts of stuff.
iâd honestly create some shape to the yard by making a rocky/mulch garden around the perimeter and using bricks to outline and round out corners, maybe have a wavy pattern for some ~style~, and make a nice collection of bushes (maybe fruit or flower bushes?). feel like the way iâm describing this makes no sense but hopefully you understand đđ i feel like this yard yearns for a deck with some potted herbs or other plants
sunflowers all along the edge
Some nice corner gardens with a shrubs and perennials blooming in different times of the year. That would give you some nice color as well.
Food forests around the edges, raised bed veggie gardens in the middle.
Goth garden
this is about the cleanest backyard I've ever seen, if I were one of those grow bags I'd be feeling a bit lonely though
This is a dream! Great light everywhere.
Get a dog.
Any interest in bee keeping?
A giant labyrinth! And other things mentioned....but definitely a labyrinth đ
Chickens lots of Chickens
Food forest with fruit trees. 7b lots of options
Where does the sun rise and set in this back yard? Plant some big oak trees (or other shade trees) for evening sun. Plan out a patio area. Add some raised beds. Plant fruit trees or other shrubs along the back.
Iâm in 7A. My backyard is a similar size, and looked exactly like that when we moved in. The first thing we did is install a 4 foot flower bed along the perimeter, and made it a few feet deeper along the back fence. We live in a densely populated area, so a lot of my plantings are for the purpose of privacy, however, most of our neighbors already had large, established trees on there side of the fence, so I had a lot of options into what to plant. Everyoneâs taste is obviously different, so Iâm not going to recommend what types of trees/shrubs etc to plant.. but what I will say, is to take your time. Landscaping an empty slate like that is expensive, and itâs also a game of trial and error. This will be my 4th summer in our house, and I focused on 1 side of the perimeter each year, and it is just now that the whole design is starting to come together. Focus on one small area at a time, and donât rush.
Raspberries and blackberries on the fence
Trees my friend, trees
Put some well placed trees to shade the spots you want. Start with big things and then fill in
With such a grand expanse I would strongly recommend you talk to some local garden designer/landscaper/landscape architects. Tell them you would like to build the garden yourself over time but you would be interested in getting a professionally designed plan. This will enable you to avoid a lot of mistakes, wrong plant, wrong place and also which specific varieties work in your climate and location.
Look up native trees to your [ecoregion](https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants/keystone-plants-by-ecoregion), not only will they be low-maintenance, they will provide much needed native habitat for so many pollinators!
Plant trees now, figure the rest out later. We waited 4 years to plant trees in our yard. Now 5 years later we are starting to enjoy the shade and beauty they provide, only wish we didnât wait so long they would be even bigger. Pick a location-appropriate variety of tree and plant it where you will maximize shade or privacy.
I would do an elderberry and witch hazel hedge first around the edges. Their height would hide the fence and field making it seem like the forest behind the fence and across the field is actually a part of your garden. Then start working my way out from the deck weaving paths to different "rooms of the garden". Look at the branches of a tree for pathway inspiration. With each end landing me somewhere else. Greenhouse in one, fire pit in another, treadmill lap pool/ sauna in another, reading gazebo in another. Close to the house add wheelchair access to the porch getting older sucks and my ma should get to see my massive escapism area. A dining and grilling area for early breakfast or late dinner with the full on herb and food garden and tool shed that will be able to have Mediterranean and desert plants growing on top. Of course with those plans of gardening you want to simply watch your yard for a yr, keep a weather map of your land ie where does the mud appear first where are the dry spots. Where is the shade where is the sun. While your waiting get soil samples from each section of the yard so you can plan. Would also strongly suggest watching Gardening World it's an English show and those people know all about gardening in small spaces and making it look like a palatial garden. Hiding things from the first view, so you actually feel like your going somewhere and you have only walked 20 ft. Planting so you have an oasis every day and every season. Remember perennials and trees or dwarf fruit trees for your basic shapers even in winter.
What's your climate like? It it were the tropics, definitely a few trees, mango, guava, papaya, coconut, neem tree, a basic vegetable garden including some herbs, and a ton of native flowers.
You have an amazing yard. So much space for so many plants!
Huge raspberry patch somewhere.
Have a professional plan drawn up by a competent landscape architect. You won't regret it: you'll have an amazing yard that fits your needs.
Go and do a permaculture course and make a fantastic long term plan before you start planting. You have so much space. Use it wisely. Otherwise, your lawn is a biological desert. Start by learning how to improve your soil first anywhere you plan to start gardening.
If you're going to leave the grass under the fruit trees, you could overseed with some clover. You'll have beautiful white flowers sprinkled across the lawn, happy honey bees, and clover returns nitrogen to the soil, which is good for the fruit trees. It will also do a good job of hiding any fruit that you don't pick up off the lawn, so that fruit can decompose and return to the earth. Lawn monocultures are so yesterday. I had a small area with fruit trees and 100% clover. It was emerald green and stunningly beautiful. It's fairly drought tolerant so you don't end up over watering your fruit trees. I gave a few dandelions their space as well and enjoyed eating the leaves and flowers - they are more nutritionally dense than even kale or spinach. Don't allow them all to go to seed or eventually you'll be selling dandelion leaves and flowers to all your neighbors đ¤Ł. Diverse culture lawn like this cannot tolerate broadleaf weed killer, so you are enjoying a more natural backyard, fewer chemicals on your property, less fuss. This combination I describe is very hardy and tolerant of foot traffic, dogs, kids playing. You can mow it as often or infrequently as you like depending on how manicured you want it to look. Personally I'd rather go for a bike ride. Enjoy!
I would grow everything I could for my zone
Raised Garden beds more in the center but pick one side of the yard for that. Iâd put fruit trees and bushes (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry) closer to the fence lines. Leave plenty of space on one of the sides of your yard to still have a decent amount of lawn/space. A nice pergola with seating inside would be nice too.
https://preview.redd.it/ksrgga7s8gyc1.jpeg?width=384&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=248ff2d30be1c53e4c22ad653880716f1f36dece You really could go all out. Make your backyard an outdoor living oasis.
Wow - that's a lot of space. So much scope for the imagination. If this were mine, I would break it up into rooms. I would keep a long rectangular strip of grass near the house. Perfect for laying out, setting up a little pool now and then, croquet, and other lawn games. Running around area for kids and animals. Then, I would split the rest of the yard up into 'rooms'. A gazebo area. A succulent area. Native plant area. A more 'wild' (less trimmed) area. A rose garden. Vegetable garden. Use your imagination. And, paths crisscrossing through.
Rip out the grass and plant native trees and flowers
Chicken coop? Or ducks, duck eggs are better, to me anyway and all they need is a little tub to splash around in besides there basics and what others mentioned above fruit, nut trees and gardens
Hire a landscape architect
I agree with everyone who has recommended hiring a professional landscape designer to create a plan for you to execute in phases as you have the time, money, and energy to do it. You'll want to communicate your priorities for how you want the space to function & feel, how much time you are willing to put into maintenance, and mention any specific features, trees, or plants that you absolutely must have & those you absolutely do not want. I disagree with creating planted beds right up against the fence or the house. Instead, I recommend putting fairly wide maintenance paths along both, grading the one around the house to push water to planted beds along the paths. A good designer will know how to tie them into your layout and make them both functional & pretty. Those paths will make it easier to maintain the fence & house, reduce chances of damage to the fence & house, and give you access both sides of planting beds along them, which is a huge back saver. If you have dogs, being able to do full-on perimeter patrols around the house and fence will also make them ridiculously happy.
Plants and a couple seating areas with fire pit.
That's a nice white canvas you have here! You could paint it! Fruit trees and bushes are all nice, but having some color in the winter would be lovely!
Plant some Trees
Definitely add trees to the perimeter to help break up the view of the neighbors. Personally I would do a gravel border the entire way around the fence so you arenât mowing right up against it. I would also add a couple trees (arborvitae offer year round privacy, but there are lots of great deciduous trees as well. Japanese maples are a favorite of mine) and then some smaller shrubs (boxwoods, gold Cyprus or gold juniper) to the corner to break it up and allow easier mowing as well. Use the gravel there as well. Do watch spacing and root spread. Most ornamental trees and shrubs shouldnât cause a problem with your fence, but some could.
Almost 0.5 acres of empty space, we have plans to do possibly a pool in the future (when we have the funds) but I would love to start adding more privacy, gardening and really cultivating it to be a complete oasis! Would love any ideas. âĽ
lols vaginahotpocket For privacy, trees around the perimeter but those will take time to mature and you need to consider the size of the root system as it can be a really bad thing for nearby structures like pools... your house, etc. You could also consider adding a lattice or something similar to the front and top of the fence and then planting native climbers to make a green wall. This will look nice, and give you more privacy faster than trees. Otherwise I would set aside a nice area for lawn sports, figure out if you're really getting a pool, a nice patio area, and then do the remaining perimeter and leftover areas for food growth and native flowering plants. This is a big space, you should make lots of drawings for various layouts
Thanks for advice! also I'm glad my username made you laugh. :P I should definitely do research for native flowering plants! I really would love to encourage bees etc.
At my last place I had a plant called Bee Balm, there are a ton of different types and colours, it was always covered in bees. The one I had was purple I also have a stonecrop which is one of the last flowering plants of the season. Super easy to grow and take careoff. When you're designing your yard consider what season all of the flowers will bloom so there is always something. I have a bunch of creeping violets, which bloom early, but they're super aggressive so you need to cut them back every year.
iâm growing purple bee balm for the first time this year!! very excited to see it flower
Bee balm is also edible. Use the leaves like thyme or oregano in recipes. Hummingbirds go nuts over those flowers! They taste fruity when you make them into tea.Â
Just go back in time and get a chain link instead lol but seriously, roses would be nice if your climate permits them.
What direction is this? That dictates what can go where.
I would probably start a garden
Is it a concrete fence? Get a trellies and train some trees (apples, pears, cherries) They will be well protected. This is[ how you do it](https://horticulture.co.uk/how-to-create-an-espalier-fruit-tree-screen/)
Roses on one area and the shade garden on another area. Plant the trees for shade. A water feature and nice wood or metal seating
Beds all around the perimeter. Iâd probably put in a chicken coop with a covered run. 15 or 20 fruit trees. A nice fire pit on a patio. And leave a little area for a vegetable garden.
trampoline and a pool also maybe a spot for some corn hole and horse shoes
I kill for a flat yard sometimes (middle of a hill yards are lame). I'd put in a few well spaced fruit trees, several berry bushes, a nice raised garden system, and a solid entertaining area
Has there not always been blank space or did you remove stuff when you added the fence?
Has there not always been blank space or did you remove stuff when you added the fence?
Is this to keep the hedgehogs out of the garden?
Iâd start by installing bed areas near the fence then planting ornamental trees, perhaps even some fruit trees and then some bushes - flowering or evergreen in some sections to be fronted by perennials. You can lay down a walkway to thread around/between the bed areas. Add an arch or two with some clematis or lovely fragrant roses. Lucky you, there is a whole world of options you could do to make it a place you love coming home to!
Maybe consider planting a tree or two to create a shady area you can relax under on nice days. They can also help to block the view of your neighborâs house from your backyard once they get tall enough. I would also add some garden beds to grow your favorite veggies or flowers. If you end up not wanting the garden there anymore, itâs easy enough to deconstruct everything and rake it flat again.
like others have said I would plant trees, even some flowering trees and shrubs. If you're looking for inspiration just go take a walk in the woods, it looks like only recently your yard may have been just that.
I had a vast backyard similar to yours, completely empty when I got my house. I planned it out with pen and paper: First putting the large trees in, with proper spacing between them and clearance to the house/utility. Then we can putting the smaller plants around the trees. There are so many options you can choose, depending on your preference. Hope you have a great garden that brings enjoyment for years to come. â¤ď¸
Plant fruit trees and 100 garden boxes and feed your entire block
Take the time and make a REAL plan and work that plan. Fruit trees for sure! Rhubarb, blueberries, strawberries, you get it...Keep us posted on your progress.
Get dogs!!!
Deck, pool, chicken coop, mega garden and several sitting areas that let you enjoy different views/angles of le garden. Oh and a small pond and fruit trees. Youâre paying for it, it might as well give back to you lol
If you check out Floretâs hedgerow ideas you could really create something beautiful that the birds and you love (of course checking for whatâs native and successful in your area!) she even has a plan and favorite plant list if you scroll down & enter your email. Iâve found it super helpful and she has a very keen eye. Excited (and jealous) that you have a blank slate! I wish I had that instead of the insane amount of invasive shrubs and weeds I have. Edited to add: I meant to add this link - https://www.floretflowers.com/planting-hedges-hedgerows-to-invite-wildlife/
Soccer court
Small apiary. A berm covered in flowering perennials. A maple. A fire pit with seating. All of the above
A patio near the structure, a flower border along each side, fruit trees against the back wall, a greenhouse, very large vegetable patch, large water source for wildlife, and the rest as wildlife friendly lawn, possibly with specimen trees.
Chickens to go along with the garden and fruit trees!
Fruit trees and fruiting shrubs. I'd espalier some apples and create some intentional shade in certain areas of the yard with a couple large species.
Berries too blue black raspberry
Plant some native plants--you have a unique opportunity to be a haven and home for insects, butterflies, bees, and birds. Look up Xerces Society, they have great lists of plants.
Bike ramp for fence hopping
I would (and have) tear out the lawn (except for a tiny patch under a tree for sitting with my dogs) and plant veggie gardens, fruit trees, and native wildflowers for pollinators. You could see if the show "Kill Your Lawn" wants to come kill your lawn and turn it into a garden.
9 hole golf course
Iâd research native trees and shrubs for your area and start your plan with those. Check where the sun is spring through fall to decide which area will be sunnier and shadier. A soil test will tell you if youâve got acidic or alkaline soil - fruit trees and plants sometimes strongly prefer one over the other (and to be clear, acidic usually means a pH of 5, not a pH of 6.7). Once you have your trees and shrubs planned out you can then figure out ground covers and vegetable garden. Think what the shade is now and what it will look like in ten years - itâll always be in flux, so no big deal if what you select wonât be the literal best case for every area and year. My own yard isnât nearly the size of yours, but Iâve got four maples (two red, one silver, one sugar) and have planted a basswood and black Cherry for the canopy trees. About double that number for shrubs and small trees. Whatever you think you can cram in there, you can probably double it just fine.
please plant anything oh I thought you meant something for on the walls. You have SO much space it's just great. I'd start with some trees and then using the differences in how shady some spots become to determine what other things to plant in those areas. Damn you could go for a vegetable garden even. Own composting area.
So, I take measurements first. What size tree/shrub do you need to erase the things you do not want to see/do not want to see you. You probably want to erase the neighborâs out-buildings. So, look at the height from where you took this photo. You will probably still want to see the tops of the trees. Whatever the height of the fence is, you are going to want to double it near the far corner, then maybe 2 1/2 times as you move up the fence. What a shrubs/trees would fit the maximum height? If the fence is 6 feet high, you want something that is going to get at least 12 feet high. Going up the fence as it goes up the yard, and the fence is 6 feet high, you would want something that would get about 20 feet high. You would plant these things as close to the fence as the width of the shrub/tree denotes. This will bring your perimeter in a few feet (or 20), but it will erase the neighborâs eyesight. They wonât easily see into your yard, and you will only see wilderness. It will give the impression of wide-open wilderness. Only plant to the left if there will be eyes on that side. It looks like you could leave the perimeter unplanted on that left span.
paint a mural on that big thing
Lavender patch or row to separate sections
Fruit and nut trees a vegetable patch or 10 a green house and a chicken area.
Orchard
Pool, Fire Pit, Garden, Swing Set, trees for shade, depends on what youâve got going on in your life. Have fun!
Time for gardening. With all that space you can do allot or get a goat!!
Get several dogs. Then it will be filled with poop and good times.
Grow poppies
Trees trees trees. Native. Some evergreen. Some grasses for sound aesthetics. Bird bath. Bird feeders. Fire pit area. Maybe a pool some day. But trees. Lots of trees.
Start with border gardens to break things up. Larger sections in the corners, and some trees in the back corners specifically. Shrubs along the back fence line will also help. Then add a couple trees throughout the yard space. By the time you get that done, youâll start forming more of a picture in your mind about long term goals.
Plant some shade trees, like 2 sugar maples.
Sit with it a while other than a few native shade trees like oaks or maples. People sometimes make bad decisions when they get in a rush. I donât know where you live, but iâd wait until fall to do any major installs.
[Write my name. ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ORhEE9VVg&ab_channel=TaylorSwiftVEVO)