Genmaicha and Sakura (Backyard plan)
Oct. 5th, 2009 08:09 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aimeekittyTODAY'S TEA: Genmaicha (from Den's Tea)
Genmaicha is so soothing... I find I turn to it or an oolong when I feel bad or when the weather starts cooling off.
another slightly OCD post from Aimee-time!
Trying to plan the backyard.
zone 9-10, SoCal, ... soil is alkaline (will have to amend). Eastern facing, morning sun location.
I really want a sakura tree. It'd be great if I could have two, like this. Most people online say that "pink cloud" gets to about 30-40 foot width eventually... but the weeping cherry seems to be more like 15-20 foot width.
I won't put the trees in until spring, probably... but I need to make a plan now of what types of water-usage-plants go where so that we can put an irrigation system in and put some of the ground cover in. (the HOA won't let us wait till spring to do the yard.)
This design allows us to cut back on the amount of water-guzzling grass we have to mow... and lets me to sit on the grass (or a bench) under either of the trees... and also leaves a sunny alcove - back left corner for a rose arbor. I think my mom saved my Gramma's Cecile Brunner... I might be able to get it out here, that would be a lovely place for it. (or I could put an arbor in the sideyard and make a magical tunnel. :P :) ... spot might end up being too shady though? so I guess I could go with a vine instead.
I let my membership at Huntington lapse since I'm going to be really busy until spring... but now I kinda wish I could go stare at their various plum and cherry varieties. I think I can get by without it though.
Click for larger
Genmaicha is so soothing... I find I turn to it or an oolong when I feel bad or when the weather starts cooling off.
another slightly OCD post from Aimee-time!
Trying to plan the backyard.
zone 9-10, SoCal, ... soil is alkaline (will have to amend). Eastern facing, morning sun location.
I really want a sakura tree. It'd be great if I could have two, like this. Most people online say that "pink cloud" gets to about 30-40 foot width eventually... but the weeping cherry seems to be more like 15-20 foot width.
I won't put the trees in until spring, probably... but I need to make a plan now of what types of water-usage-plants go where so that we can put an irrigation system in and put some of the ground cover in. (the HOA won't let us wait till spring to do the yard.)
This design allows us to cut back on the amount of water-guzzling grass we have to mow... and lets me to sit on the grass (or a bench) under either of the trees... and also leaves a sunny alcove - back left corner for a rose arbor. I think my mom saved my Gramma's Cecile Brunner... I might be able to get it out here, that would be a lovely place for it. (or I could put an arbor in the sideyard and make a magical tunnel. :P :) ... spot might end up being too shady though? so I guess I could go with a vine instead.
I let my membership at Huntington lapse since I'm going to be really busy until spring... but now I kinda wish I could go stare at their various plum and cherry varieties. I think I can get by without it though.
Click for larger
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 03:36 pm (UTC)I just don't want you to end up with a nightmare instead of a dream ._.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 03:39 pm (UTC)(and they sell them in NewHall, btw. I'm going to ask them for more info. seemed knowledgeable.)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 06:03 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 06:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 05:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 05:16 pm (UTC)http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Kwanzan.htm
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 06:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 06:34 pm (UTC)in reality, it'll probably be about the same size as the balboa ones.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 06:19 pm (UTC)I would like to share more but I think its the designer under me that's saying, "Hey bug Aimee and help her out!" but it's your garden and your design. 8D
Something though i'd take a look at is views from the inside where your windows are - i don't know where they are in your plan but I think it's also nice to think about things looking outside from inside. If you do need help or inspirations let me know! I have a ton of books/resources and would be more than glad to give you a helping hand. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 06:41 pm (UTC)here's where the windows are:
I was thinking to have the weeping (the smaller tree) near-ish the kitchen window so we could admire it out that window? also having irises near there for a similar reason. But maybe I'm thinking about it wrong.
the exit onto the backyard is that little platform shown.
I am a bit discouraged as at least one person on a gardening forum is all "don't grow sakura in inland socal"..
but they do fine at Lake Balboa in Van Nuys? that's inland CA! And they sell them in Newhall (Santa Clarita,... very near me).
I'd love some inspiration or help. I'm not sure where to go from here.
the only thing I know is:
- want to reduce the amount of grass (less water and less mowing, but want to have SOME grass for playing, etc..)
- want at least one sakura tree
- want a iris bed.
- like the idea of a low-growing ground cover (one that takes little water and little maintenance) to take the place of grass in areas.
I also like xeric hummingbird friendly plants like lavendar, sage and butterfly bushes, etc.
also like ornamental grasses and japanese boxwood.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 08:46 pm (UTC)I think you should ask yourself what kind of 'garden' do you want? do you want an asian-style inspired garden? or a formal garden? or a contemporary garden? a cottage garden? I think that will help with the design.
Reducing grass would be a good thing! I'm not that big of a fan of it myself, but its always nice to have a small patch to lay on. There are lots of shrubs/ground cover that will grow under trees - i think once you have an idea of where the trees will go than all the rest will come more easily. Something that I like to do is spend some time (I do this at Disneyland a lot) and take a look at what other people plant under their trees - you'll find some really interesting things!
For instance, outside the window right now my boss is trying to grow her dogwood tree (it's taking us a while because its such a hard tree to grow here in SC) but underneath it she has succulents and peppermint geraniums growing underneath it. Looking at magazines will help you too! We do that a lot at work and we'll rip the pages out, scan them and keep them in our 'inspirations' library.
I think lavenders, sages, and butterfly buses will be lovely. Butterfly bushes do tend to get large out here as well... at least i've seen monstrously huge ones. Which reminds me that I need to start building up my collection of xeriscape plant materials 8D
With trees - i know you want a sakura tree, but you might also want to ask yourself what other trees you'd like when the sakura tree goes deciduous. It won't have leaves on it all year long and will shed its leaves come fall - so you might want to consider adding a couple of evergreen trees into your back yard. Also, trees will also grow big - but you also want to consider if you're buying trees in a 15 Gallon pot versus a 24" Box. The differences are in price, but also that these trees are going to take some time in growing and getting established - so you won't have shade as quickly as you might want it.
Speaking of deciduous - you'll want to ask yourself also about the iris bed - i think you might want to consider planting some other things within the Iris bed because they iris will go dormant and it will be bare for a few months.
I also can see that you've got the weeping willow for the kitchen window, and the Pink Cloud for the guestbed room. I think that will be lovely and you'll be able to design around it and use those windows as a frame. You might want other plants to help highlight the tree, or maybe additional features like a bird bath or bench. It looks like you don't really have a focal point for in front of your Den window though? Maybe that's something worth considering.
Have you also thought of using planting for screening/creating private spaces? I don't know if you have neighbors or not, or you can create some private rooms out of plant material as well.
There are lots of things to consider when designing a garden. I know there are a lot of things to ask and to consider. If you want i also have some books/magazines that I can dig out and loan to you if you like... it's a lot of things to consider especially because this garden is going to be for you. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 09:07 pm (UTC)do any of your clients live in up the santa clarita area?
I'm just so discouraged by the response I got! One person (from SF bay, btw... who might be the best gardener ever, I don't know, but they don't live HERE)... anyway, this person said that they really don't do well and recommended a lot of other flowering trees. None of which look -at all- like an ornamental cherry. I mean, shoot, I'd be better off planting a non-japanese cherry or an apple (which I've seen all over in non-cared for side-of the road embankments...) than plant another random flowering tree which doesn't have the look I want at all.
I mean, I appreciate someone trying to save me heartache... but :(
When I replied back to that talking about the Van Nuys location doing well, someone else replied back to me basically acting like "how dare I" not immediately take the previous person's advice!
I appreciate people trying to help me,... they're taking time out of their day to help a stranger, I really appreciate it. But how am I being ungrateful by providing more information about my area and the trees I've seen? AGH! I don't know who this person is, how am I to know how valuable or not their advice is! :(
pomona is pretty close to santa clarita's climate, isn't it?
Design wise, I tend to like things that are kind of casual looking, more like english cottage garden style. I don't want a straight up asian styled garden. Mainly because a lot of that requires more manicuring than I want to do (like trimming boxwoods or similar plants)
in my mind a drift of sage and kinda wild-running roses would be awesome. but I don't even know if that sort of thing would work.
you know like a line of perfectly spaced plants all layered perfectly isn't attractive to me. something a little more mounding and wild looking is more attractive to me, and probably is easier to care for, too.
I think butterfly bushes are too big, I forgot about that.
we had so many dogwoods in South Carolina, they're lovely. I think they like more humidity though don't they.
I have a lot of inspiration stuff I took photos of from library books and s uch at home. I'll show you some tonight if I can remember. XD
bewaterwise.com has a great plant database! You can search and save stuff. it's xeric, local and low water plants. I've found it to be really helpful.
I'd like to get the largest sakura that I can... assuming that that would help it take root easier?? or am I wrong? Everyone's telling me it's hard to do, so I want the best chance of life possible. If that's smaller tree and I have to wait, I'm cool with that, too.
for the den window, I was thinking you'd be able to see the sakura tree from there eventually? But when it's small, I guess you wouldnt be able to see it as much. The windows are large, you can probably see most of the backyard from the living room, if that helps.
I really like some gardens I've seen that have walls of climbing plants along the property-line and a bench in it, that sort of thing. I was hoping to do something kinda like that in the upper left corner, and to some degree on the other side as well, but I'm not sure what the rules are. Like, do I need to put up a fence inbetween the actual fence which borders our property line...? or can I just put a tree or plant on the fence?
and then if my tree gets big and has brances over the fence, is that bad?? Never really dealt with this before, you know?
I wonder what I can plant with the iris??
I feel like I've been looking at all these books, but... I just end up not knowing how to do all of it. so I'm trying to break it down to the things I definitely want and trying to build around that?
Part 1 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-05 11:58 pm (UTC)No problem! For once I can actually talk with someone about something that I went to school for. I always feel kinda odd when I don't know how to apply my studies for other things, or when people arn't sure as to what exactly I do as a profession. I know that things can get overwhelmed - as thats how it has been in school for me in the past. 8D
We don't have any clients in the Santa Clarita area, but we have/had clients in Malibu. I know it's a bit far (coast vs. inland) but as I've learned - a lot of plants will impress you in how well they grow out here in southern california in general. As for the person who responded and said that Cherry tree's don't do well out here wasn't very nice to you. I don't think the other person who told you that you were 'ungrateful' wasn't very nice to you either. I mean suggesting other trees would be one thing, but it seems like they weren't even giving you any plausible reasons as to why cherry trees don't grow well here. Since that person is from the SF bay area - they probably don't know how well plants will tough it up in order to grow... I mean i've seen a lot of crazy things grow out here in southern california and sometimes it just requires a bit more watching and TLC. I just think it's ridiculous for someone to say that they just don't do well out here when both you and I know they do just fine. I like to think that you can get a lot of things to grow out here if you just keep a good watch on it.
And you're right - you don't know who you're talking to when you asked online, you never know maybe they arn't professionals, or know nothing about trees and were just there to troll. I've found most gardening/horticulturists/arborists/landscape architect people are the most nicest people in the world who will want to help you and give you valid reasons as to why things do/don't work.
If anything I'd be more afraid of the tree being susceptible to Frost, or dying from excessive heat (which you can help by giving enough water), but it seems like most Prunus varieties are actually really hardy and tolerant of southern california weather. There are actually a list of other flowering japanese cherries - so maybe if you're weary about Prunus 'Pink Cloud' maybe you can look at other cherries that will do well in the area in the color you want?
Pomona and Santa Clarita's climate are roughly the same, they're off just by a little.
Well now that I know you want to do more of an english cottage style - that will give me a better idea of what you want. You want something relaxed, with nature taking its natural course to cushion you perhaps? I think you can work sage and wild running roses, it's all a matter of training and maintenance and you'll be able to get things planted.
My boss' cottage garden/my entrance to work:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenkindesign/3195403216/in/set-72157616802733519/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenkindesign/3194550077/in/set-72157616802733519/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenkindesign/3195382434/in/set-72157616802733519/
Our clients victorian backyard:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenkindesign/sets/72157611853422903/
Butterfly bushes can be big, but you can also work that into being a featured focal point plant too! You might not want to have too many of them. XD
As for our one dogwood at work - i don't think it gets enough humidity, but it seems to be doing okay... i'm not sure. All i know is my boss keeps an eye on it and tries her best to take care of it.
Thanks for the tip up on bewaterwise.com - though I'd like to have a collection of books on hand anyway for the times when I'm designing by paper and not on the computer. But I will definitely take a look at bewaterwise.com 8D
Re: Part 1 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 01:19 am (UTC)I think the trick will be trying to find someone who has grown them or can give me tips on baby-ing it. (hopefully the local nursery will be this?)
the posters main concern was the "alkaline soil and poor water quality". I'm going to have to amend the soil regardless. Probably have to dig it up and add a bunch of stuff. also "They tend to get lots of diseases and die young, plus they don't work well planted in the middle of a lawn; they want good drainage but regular irrigation as well, and are not at all drought tolerant." so, I mean they gave me plausible reasons... but I think me responding with "but they grow here, that is close to me" is valid, too... so give me a good reason why they grow in Van Nuys but it's impossible for me to grow them in Santa Clarita? (not to mention, I KNOW I've seen some ornamental fruit trees thriving along the road in SCV)
as to being on a lawn... it doesn't have to be in a lawn, though... maybe I could just mulch under the tree if it's really going to be a problem.
and yeah, he could be pro, I don't want to be insulting of his advice... but at the same time, he could be someone's uncle.
I know they don't like heat, which is why I'm hoping putting them in a morning sun position will help. and it does get kinda cold up in the mountainy bits!
I think after doing more research, if it's really going to die on me, I'll look into some other varieties. I don't specifically want pink cloud, but I do want something that is very strongly japanese cherry. ie, I don't just want an apple, or some american-looking ornamental cherry. They're pretty, but I really want something that looks really really sakura-y.
redbuds do well out here and are pretty and kinda-sorta the same shape... but I'd like to try a sakura first unless someone just straight up says I'm stupid to do so.
yeah that sort of slightly messy mounding style is what I really like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenkindesign/3195382434/in/set-72157616802733519/
there are a lot of really good socal native and xeric books right now! last time I searched at the library there were a lot of helpful ones. but at that point I was still kinda at the "maybe kinda I dunno" stage, ... whereas now I'm trying to start making actual choices. so I should probably look at them again. Sunset Western Garden was recommended, too
Re: Part 1 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 05:49 am (UTC)While I do understand that soil quality is an issue, i'm 95% sure you're going to have to amend the soil. As for 'poor water quality' i'm not exactly sure what that person means - i think we have decent quality water and it isn't going to kill the poor tree. The most important thing here is to make sure you have good drainage - as that is very important for Cherry trees. Cherry trees arn't drought tolerant, but you want a cherry tree right? If you're willing to make the extra sacrifice to keep a healthy cherry tree alive, blooming and well because it makes you happy then do it. Everything else is going to be drought tolerant anyway - it's not like you're planting without a water wise conscious mind.
As for lawn, you could always do sections of pea gravel, or a nice colored stone as a design element:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20294372_20651371,00.html
We do this for all of our oak trees with our clients because they are very important to us, especially their health. Speaking of health, when your tree gets established and may have problems - you can always find an arborist (tree docter) who can diagnose and tell you what's wrong with your tree. We do that quite often with existing trees or when we are concerned about the health of large existing trees. If you don't go with pink cloud, there are a ton of other sakura trees you can choose from - it's just all about color and what color flowers you will want. :)
I think now would be a good time to start picking and thinking about what plants you want. maybe you'll want some nice ornamental shrubs that you can highlight as a focal point , or plants for screening places, etc. After seeing your photos - i have a better idea of what you're looking to have in your back yard. 8D
Re: Part 1 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 04:23 pm (UTC)totally down with the pea gravel. Actually, I really like those "rivers of rocks" type things,... lol.
I wonder what would be healthiest for a cherry tree underneath it... pea gravel, or bark?
Yeah, I don't nessesarily need "pink cloud", I just want one that is very strongly japanese sakura looking. I'll see what my local nursery suggests and can get for me. :D
Re: Part 1 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 09:16 pm (UTC)Rivers of rocks - like a dry river bed? I'll ask my boss on advice about working with japanese sakura trees. I'm sure she'll be able to give some advice on taking care of them. I bet your nursery will be able to help give you some good advice as well.
Re: Part 1 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 09:16 pm (UTC)Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-05 11:58 pm (UTC)I think for the Den window you'll be able to see the Sakura tree eventually - but imagine if you did get a size 15-gal prunus, it's going to take a while. Reading around it seems like most prunus have a moderate growth rate of 13 - 24 inches a year. It will all depend on the environment - so you might want to think of some other things you'd like to see from the Den window as your coming out.
As for walls and things around the property line and fences, you will have to take a look into the building code of your city. Usually there's a document available online that will let you know, but if you don't know i'd compile a list of questions and concerns and call the city planning department because they will be able to tell you what you will be able to/unable to do. You can definitely plant trees against the already done fence there, unless you plan for a new additional fence to be a design element - which you might (maybe if you wanted lattices or something?). I don't think if the tree gets big and hangs over the fence is a bad thing, but it's something to consider when you're designing and deciding where you want to put the tree. Maybe your neighbor might appreciate it and use it as a borrowed view 8D
I did a quick search online for irises, I think you can plant a lot of things with them:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/iris/msg0522045622142.html
I mean when Irises were growing here in the garden they kept popping up in the most random spots...
Some photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50788895@N00/2811923472/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christmasnotebook/2533902421/
I know this is a lot of stuff and it's actually really overwhelming - but I think you'll be able to do all of this. I can try my best to help you with your project if you'd like! 8D I mean this is what I do for a living. I think the most important thing right now is finding things that inspire you, things that you like, and things that you definitely want. After that its usually followed by a preliminary design - you start mapping out things like, "I want a big shrub here, some big trees there, some pretty annuals here next to some ground cover". Don't even think about plants at this stage, but just what things you'd like shape wise. I usually go through a couple of designs and that will inspire me to mix up and change my designs rather than sticking to just one. You also want to think of what elements you want in your garden, do you want an outdoor patio? do you want a bbq? do you want a fountain or pool? do you want a place to read? do you want a place for your future children to play in? do you want a vegetable/herb garden? There are a ton of things that we consider when we design, looking at circulation, flow of spaces, spaces we want to make private, etc.
After you've taken a look at that, you can start slowly assigning plants to places, the planting designing part. Then it's just a matter of going through and doing all the physical work (not forgetting irrigation!), and maybe lighting when you've got spare cash to spend on your back yard. It's a lengthy process but it's always well worth it and fulfilling once everything has grown in.
I hope that has helped you a little bit! If you want to sit over tea sometime and just oogle at books and brainstorm thoughts/ideas let me know! 8D
Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 01:35 am (UTC)I'll try and ask my HOA more about the planting near walls rules, etc... I do know that anything major I do in the front or back yard I have to do a sketch and have it approved. they dont need all the plantnames, but yeah. (ie if I put in a big tree or an arbor or something.) I know other people have this sort of thing, though, so I doubt it will be a problem.
re: irises, I think for now, I'll just wait and know that I want a bed of iris there, I can worry about what to plant with it later, like you said. :D
... I definitely want an iris bed somewhere. preferably somewhat close to the house so I can enjoy them closer to the house. Also want some sort of ornamental tree that I can see from the kitchen window.
For the grill, I want to build a small wooden platform. It has to be on the far right side of the house because that's where the grass hookup is, unfortunately. Don't really want a big patio. I think a smallish platform for the BBQ will be good enough. We have a pretty largeish kitchen, so I'm guessing if MItch grills, that we'll just eat it casually, or bring it back inside. Of course, we've never grilled EVER in the 7-8 years we've been married. haha. but he wants the option open and that's fine! :)
um.... and I want an arbor with a bench somewhere. It'd be GREAT if I could have some sort of rose on it... but I'm concerned if I have two trees back there that maybe the rose would be unhappy? I know they like a lot of sun. So I could use a moonvine or something like that instead.
I love those sorts of arrangements like the one you posted, where someone has a bench and behind it is a big drift of plants. love that! I'd prefer for that to be in one of the corners (or nearish a corner) away from the house. It would be nice if it was a bit secluded. I like it when you have kindof a bend in the landscape so that you feel like there's a little alcove, even if it's a small garden.
soooo,... that's why I put the weeping tree where it is, I was hoping it would give a bend in the landscape and also allow me to see the tree from the house. so then putting a bench in the upper left corner.
and then the larger sakura, just trying to put it far enough away from the fence that it doesn't encrouch too much (don't want to worry about the roots damaging the wall or something either??)
if you have suggestions on the layout, changing it up, etc, based on that criteria, I'm all ears, or whatever. ;D
I wouldnt mind eventually having a small area for some herbs, but I'm not really worried about that right now. I figure I can deal with it later, and I have enough to worry about I guess without it.
I'm hoping that the amount of lawn I showed (or something similar) would allow for kids to play eventually? We do have a park nearby, and we live on a cultesac... our front yard has very little lawn though.
after I get a more workable design, I'm going to go to a landscape dude and ask him to design irrigation based on that. So the irrigation will go first, and then I'm hoping I can do parts of it gradually.
I'd love to get together and chat over tea and oogle books. I -might- have some time this weekend... other than that, unfortnately with moving, november. I can't remember what you said before, I think you are busy too? I have too much vanilla oolong, you need to take some. lol.
Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 06:22 am (UTC)I think once you've picked out where you want your trees you'll be able to design better. As for planting and things - i think it should be okay for your back yard. the front yard you might have to deal with property line set backs and things like that. Though I think most things shouldn't be a problem - unless your city is really hard to work with like some other cities *coughs* San Marino *coughs*.
for the Iris - i think the area you've got picked out is a nice area. I was mainly concerned about what things will look like when they go dormant and it'd be nice if you had things to look besides the irises when they do go dormant. I also understand that you'd like the irises closer to the house! I think it'd be lovely if you could see them up close - it'd be more awesome if they did a good job in framing the view of the kitchen side from outside as well.
Re: grill/patio - how big of a wooden platform do you plan on building? another question to ask is will you want some sort of hardscape beneath if you plan on entertaining people outside? Also, maybe if there is a grill around Mitch will want to grill more often! I know this happens between Bri and I whenever i'm over at their place.... actually they grill pretty often. lol.
We can definitely fit in an arbor and bench(es) somewhere. You shouldn't have any problems growing roses on it - i have a feeling you're going to have more light than you expect. Even if the trees grow really big one day and become shade heavy - you can always give it a haircut to bring in more light. Though I doubt that light will be an issues though I'm not sure what your backyard currently looks like in relationship to what is around you.
I think we can think up some ways of giving you a bit of seclusion without having to build actual walls. You might even want to consider free standing arbors, or other structural things where you can train things to climb it. I definitely understand why you put the weeping tree where it is. I think where you've got it shouldn't be a problem with damaging anything else. I think maybe if I see your place and its relationship to the backyard I'll be able to help you put together a nice design.
Re: herbs - you can always have a herb container garden! We do that for a lot of our clients as well. That would be a neat add on to have besides the kitchen or grill. 8D
Going to a landscape guy, or even an irrigation guy will be good. Irrigation is definitely important and having it done right is important too. I really should take some irrigation classes myself, a crash course in irrigation for a few weeks isn't enough for me. 8D
I'm kinda busy - but I might have some time Sunday. The only thing is i'd be driving from Orange county up to the valley so I'd prefer if it were in the afternoon/evening. If not weekdays wok for me and after that... i guess we're all busy again. LOL. Let me know and I can bring you some harney & sons passion fruit black tea (i bought a 1lbs bag of it). I'm sure I can also borrow books from work and I also have the western sunset garden book that you can take a look at if you'd like.
Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 04:30 pm (UTC)on wooden platform, not huge? just big enough to kinda stand and have a grill. My parents did this. they have an outdoor porch next to it.
I'd guess, some kind of gravel or something near the platform, or lot of flat rocks with thyme in the crevices. I don't want a big concrete patio. I dont care for how they look and they're expensive. I'd rather spend the money getting some big boulders or some flat stepping stones. <3
I really really want a big boulder somewhere (maybe in my front yard. maybe both) but I dont know how much they cost or where to get them. seems obscene that you pay a lot of money for a ROCK. haha. oh well.
sounds like it would be good to kinda just wait till you have some time to see the backyard. I might have time on Sunday afternoon-evening, too, so let me know, that would be fine with me if you're cool with it!
I can do weekdays, but with the commute, we'd have less time to chat.
If this helps, here's a photo taken from the sliding door:
http://aimeemajor.com/house/backyard1.jpg
and then the other direction (still from same position)
http://aimeemajor.com/house/backyard2.jpg
Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 09:33 pm (UTC)as for boulders, large rocks, and stepping stones - there are landscape places where you can purchase these things. I highly suggest finding a stone place that has many options to choose from versus home depot - because you'll have more to choose from and it will be higher quality. I also poked around and found that there are lots of craigslist advertisements for large boulders and even ones where guys will deliver and place it for you. :)
What time Sunday afternoon would be good for you? 3pm or so?
Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-07 02:44 am (UTC)SWEET. ROCKS FROM CRAIGSLIST. lol.
Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 01:36 am (UTC)Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-06 03:16 am (UTC)http://aimeemajor.com/house/yard/
Re: Part 2 of my reply
Date: 2009-10-08 02:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 06:58 pm (UTC)I feel a little overwhelmed because... the backyard right now is just a pile of dirt. and it's very sunny (morning sun, but still)... but once we add a couple trees in, it will gradually get shadier? ... so what do I put under the trees? a shady groundcover?
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 09:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-06 01:37 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-05 11:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-06 01:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-06 08:45 am (UTC)We poisoned the lawn which was turning to weeds anyway. Put in the path a few months ago. I got free garden landscaping rocks from someone who didnt' want them anymore, and we built the little wall this weekend - a pond is going in opposite with a Japanese lantern, and we're going to build up the plants slowly as we can afford and see where things are growing. We have a bunch more stuff to go in soon that Mark got for free (but it is very little tubestock) and we're buying a few other pretties to go around.
April 2006 (way way in the beginning for interest) - http://www.flickr.com/photos/29577744@N06/3302519173/in/set-72157620630142588/
July 2009 - Finally got the guts to give up and ditch the lawn - http://www.flickr.com/photos/29577744@N06/3711597453/in/set-72157620630142588/
Oct 2009 - New Japanese Maple and rock wall http://www.flickr.com/photos/29577744@N06/3986053215/in/set-72157620630142588/
There are some other pics of things we've done on flickr too. A few other of the maple and a closeup of the pretty leaves. They had really really red ones, green ones, and the beautiful inbetween one which we got. It should be a lovely variation of green and red depending on the age of different growth.
Eventually I want to get rid of the australian bottlebrush because they seem to be dying off and dont' look great... and replace them with other trees.
Just incase... The Japanese Maple is a Acer palmatum "Atropurpureum" - 3.5m high x 3 wide at about 20 years, and good in sun or part shade as long as it is sheltered from hot winds.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-06 04:02 pm (UTC)we're kinda windy up where we are, so I'm not sure if that little maple could survive us. haha.
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Date: 2009-10-06 11:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-07 12:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-06 08:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-06 10:41 pm (UTC)My grandfather used to plant trees in a piece of land he had inland (it was not that far from the coast, as here nothing is, but it was inland enough). I remember he had a cherry tree, and I am quite positive it was not a japanese one. My point, tho, is that I also remember spending a lot of time staring at what I found the most beautiful tree in that yard: an almond tree.
I really don't know if that could fit your final plans for your backyard, but in years driving through rich fields I have never encountered a prettier blooming tree (I personally find olive trees fascinating, but alas they don't give flowers). I just wanted to leave this almond tree idea here, in case you could use it in some way or another :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-06 11:55 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-10-07 12:06 am (UTC)