what would you do with this backyard?

[ataboc]

hey guys! i'm new to this forum and i have a question about my back yard. what would you do with it? there used to be a pool where all of the dirt is. there was rocks surrounding the pool so i moved them to the side yard. i plan to irrigate then sod it. the other area has the hedges which i plan to remove and sod. has anyone ever ripped out a bunch of iceplant?? should i rent a dumpster?? i'm looking for low maintenance. haha so take a look and let me know what you'd do with it! thanks guys!
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff98/ataboc/IMG_1526.jpg http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff98/ataboc/IMG_1524.jpg http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff98/ataboc/IMG_1522.jpg http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff98/ataboc/IMG_1523.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff98/ataboc/IMG_1525.jpg:D :D

[jwholden]

This thread has been transferred to homeowner help.

[agla]

I'd meet with you and discuss your needs and wants. Then I'd write you up a proposal to do design work. Then once we get the design figured out, it would go out to bid.

[Stonehenge]

While pics are good, not having a sense of the entire site at once would make it tough to design. Suffice it to say that we do charge for our designs, so like Agla I probably wouldn't invest too much time on it unless I knew I could put food on my table with the work.

Shooting from the hip, sodding the whole area doesn't seem like a creative use of what looks like a small space.

[Inspired]

Maybe think about less grass. Aren't most cities and counties in Cali trying to encourage more water efficient landscaping? There might be some financial incentives for turf removal.


Just a suggestion,

Bill

[Lanelle]

I recall seeing Ice Plant along the highways in SoCal so I would think that it is low maintenance.

[papercutter]

Ice plant is low maintenance, but the bees love it- don't forget that.

Have you picked up the Sunset Western Garden Book, or Sunset Landscaping? There are some good ideas for starting points there. Also a book called Outdoor Style, it's geared more for the southwest but has some gorgeous shots.

Spend a few weeks pulling together an idea file, photos and magazine articles about spaces that appeal to you and the way you think you'll want to use them. Then find a competent designer to make it all work for you. If you approach the project with no more investment than "what would YOU do?" you probably won't feel that the final result is you- because it won't be. You appear to have a decent space to work with, at least by California standards. The right person could do some great things with it.

[Inspired]

I think you should hire David for the job!

[papercutter]

Originally posted by Inspired
I think you should hire David for the job!

Don't tease me with the idea of going to CA- they're calling for rain and snow starting tomorrow night. Stupid winter...

[ataboc]

i will pick up those books thanks!

what would someone need from me to make a design?

[papercutter]

Every designer works a little differently, but the common thread is that whoever you hire will come out and learn about your preferences and how you plan to use the space- long and short term goals, what's working for you and what's not, views you want to screen off, etc. Then they'll take the measurements and can get started. What's important is that you have a realistic idea of your budget and have at least some sense of what you want from the space. APLD.org is a good resource for finding designers in all 50 states. Good luck!

[mdvaden]

One alternative to removing some grass as a water saving option, is just to improve the soil for the next turf, maintain it better and raise the mower height a bit. That's how you conserve 50% water without removing 50% turf.

In small yards, I usually suggest not fragmenting it into too many little regions. If an intricate planting is preferred, sometimes it is good to remove the turf, and add your tapestry of planting or features.

If you want birds, the most important part will not be trees with berries. That helps, but it's a drop in the bucket. A landscape's bird visitor population gets super-charged with:

1. Small trees to land and rest on.
2. Bird feeder.
3. Small water feature

Edible plants are 4th since they are rarely ever-bearing.

Water feature for birds needs to be fairly chemical free - don't clean with chlorine. But most likely, the fish-safe de-algae products should be okay for birds. Either that or go biological all the way. And the feature needs to be a bit more in the open for safety from cats and predators. Not sure if you even want more birds, but that's the idea anyhow.

[therockfan]

Whatever you do be careful not to fill in to high on the synthetic stucco on the side of your home. You will need to keep your clearance around the bottom perimeter of the dryvit or you could run into problems down the road.