Form follows function
This was the main message during the landscape design this week. We made a huge list of what we would like to use our yards for: eating, entertaining, relaxing, privacy, play, etc… Now we are supposed to think about how we can meet the different functions that we would like to have with our design. Even if your yard is small, it is still possible to do: we looked at quite a few pictures of yards where the designs made a big difference. Another focus this week was to think about using your front yard. Many people don’t use their front yards as much, but hang out in back. With a good design, you can create an area to extend your living space from inside to the outdoors. Right now, our house sticks out like a sore thumb and everyone can see everything in the front yard. Yet again, the class has me thinking!
4 Comments
Derek·April 14, 2005
I can see using the front yard if you’re on a quite street. I think front yards used to be more popular, when people would socialize on their front porches. You have a front porch and a view, so the front yard is ideal. Our front yard is on a main street with lots of traffic, so any work we do there, is more for curb appeal. (not that I do much gardening, Deb has the green thumb)
Kristin·April 14, 2005
Our yard has lots of fun little pockets of activity. The back is for sunning and listening to the neighbors’ kids play, the front porch is for rocking and reading a book, the side is for standing around in the shade feeling peaceful and at one with the universe … or something like that. I love our yard. Love love love love love.
Brian Heckel·April 15, 2005
i think i see grape vine eradication in progress in one of your photos. ive been gharged with this task many times. if you find the main stems and sever them, let it dry for a couple of days itll make life easier.
I also see some nice junipers (sea grean)/(pfitzer)??? they were a good pick for you yard before they were overrun. plants that size sell for 50$ at work.
im not much for herbacious perinials. obviously what you have is aGGressssive. (babys breath??) it is good for foundation planting where there will be nothing else. such as around deck in front of lattice or side yard you cant see. just about anywhere you want to groom only with a mower.
im just sayin cause you seem to have murderous intentions. Remember plants are people too.
Brian
Trissa·April 16, 2005
Thanks for all the comments. I do love plants and do not plan on taking all of our existing plants out- just the ivy and blackberry that are killing the rest of the plants. I’ve weeded the back yard and pruned the juniper and cleaned up the dead fronds off of the large fern. Most of my new plants I am keeping in planters until we have a plan for a retaining wall so I won’t have to undo a lot of the work we do. I have a nice vine maple from my mom that I’ll transplant to a larger planter and proably place in the back corner. Don’t worry Brian- I won’t kill all the plants! We only have a bit of baby’s breath, but quite a bit of the silver dollar plants. It’s beginning to look a bit better, but now I need to put in some ground cover to help keep the ivy on the other side of the fence!