New homeowners can feel lost when confronted with a large yard. If money were no problem, you’d hire a designer to create a basic site plan. But if you plan to do it yourself, just think divide and conquer.
Start by thinking conceptually about space: not plants or even materials. View the space like the floor plan of your house. Look at your yard and imagine what kind of smaller outdoor rooms or spaces you’ll need to spend quality time there with family and friends.
Begin by imagining a patio serving as the kitchen. The outside version is linked to the back door or slider for convenient access. You can sketch this patio space on paper or do it outside by laying out garden hose or try white flour to mark it on the ground.
Make your main patio roomy enough to accommodate the barbecue and a dining table large enough for the entire family.
The second space is your lawn, which is much like the family room. The lawn provides overflow when you have lots of people over. It also lets you keep an eye on the kids while you’re entertaining.
A third space could be like a study or den, only outside it’s a smaller patio that’s private for time alone or an intimate afternoon with a friend. It should be sheltered and comfortable, sized to allow a chaise lounge or table and at least two chairs.
Separate this space from the lawn so that it remains peaceful when the kids are outdoors.
If space allows, add more practical “rooms” like a vegetable garden, clothes-drying area, bicycle storage, trashcans, play structure or a craft area. This might include recreational amenities such as a koi pond, spa, home orchard, gazebo or basketball court.
The final step is to connect the spaces. Make these linking walks as direct as possible. If not, your kids and pets will insist you change it by trampling their own more convenient route.
The best feature of a large yard is more space for trees. They take time to mature, so plan them for day one of your project even if you build it in phases.
Any other spaces — such as along fence lines and house walls, or in corners, nooks and crannies — are where you can use plants to make a backyard beautiful.
Trees and other plants do a lot more than just look good. They absorb city noise and offer shade, shelter and color. All that greenery releases oxygen into the air.
Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer. Learn more at www.MoPlants.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
