Some of the flowers and herbs can go on hanging pots or against the wall. I don't have a picture but I remember seeing an Ikea sock holder stuffed with soil and herbs planted in it and hanging against a garden wall - saves the ground for the rest.

Hm, thank you, I like the idea of different heights and levels for flower and herbs.

Landscaping is much trickier than it seems. It's also an art form. If you want to do the work yourself, hire someone for just the plans. Call around or look on internet, it should not be too expensive. Or hire someone for a few hours of pointers. In the meantime check out all of the landscaping books from the library, and photocopy pages that you love. This will help the professional see what you have in mind. Also take photos of plants in the neighborhood that appeal to you. After the bones are in (deck, BBQ, trees, paths, focal point, maybe a water feature) you can fill in with pots of seasonal plants or herbs.

Thank you, I already have a portfolio of ideas/photos, I just need to find the right person who can incorporate what I want into my limited space.

It also helps if you tell us which city you live in and some photos of your current backyard.

Interview at least 3 landscapers. In your condo, do you see some other yard that appeals to you? Ask them who they hired. Are there model condos in your area? Ask them who they hired. Or submit us photos and "floor" plans for your yard. What is your zone?

Thank you, all the yards in these two-story condos are rectangular and adjacent to each other, giving the feeling of box cars. Mine is approx. 18 x 23 1/2 with dead space under stairs, etc. For privacy I'm only allowed PVC white fences and for plants, native to the area. I live in Arverne, NY half a block from the ocean.

I would like the design to somehow camouflage the flatness, and angularity of the layout. I would also like to do something productive with the dead space under the stairs.

Thank you, all the yards in these two-story condos are rectangular and adjacent to each other, giving the feeling of box cars. Mine is approx. 18 x 23 1/2 with dead space under stairs, etc. For privacy I'm only allowed PVC white fences and for plants, native to the area. I live in Arverne, NY half a block from the ocean.

I would like the design to somehow camouflage the flatness, and angularity of the layout. I would also like to do something productive with the dead space under the stairs.

Your neighbor has a nice covered patio with table chairs, potted plants, maybe they had a landscaper? Is the white door with the cement steps a part of yours? I think I see a dog? I tried to find what the specific names of native plants were for your area. I couldn't find. I'll just say "shrub" & you can find out what a native shrub is, landscaper should know. You could install a pretty white PVC fence, but that's a cost that should be shared with neighbors. So you'd have to have agreements with several neighbors unless you wanted to spring for the entire fence cost yourself, which doesn't seem fair. Have landscaper plant tall-ish shrubs on every side of the fence & area on either side of cement steps. You'll lose about 2.5'-3' of lawn on every side. Under the steps is where I'd place the BBQ-grill. I'd have them dig down a few inches and place weed cloth and stones. BBQ on stones is good b/c the drips won't damage a patio or lawn. Patio sizes vary of course. A cement patio is nice with Wrought Iron round 42" table & 4 chairs. For this you'll need at least a 12' x 12' patio, but make a mock-up for yourself with a garden hose. Remember you have to have room to pull out chairs. Probably no smaller than 10' x 10'. Let's say you have a 12' x 12': room for a table, 4 chairs and a cute Wrought Iron glider & table(s). Check Home Depot for W Iron glider and tables and chairs: http://reviews.homedepot.com/1999/202047679/napa-2-person-glider-reviews/reviews.htm Veggies & herbs usually are planted in a North to South orientation. Check the direction of sun in your yard. I'd buy earth boxes for the veggies and herbs and annual flowers. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/EarthBox-Garden-Veneer-White/6367681/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&adtype=pla&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D Not sure there is room for a tree or curves (except for round table). Be sure they plan for drainage in patio. You'll be hosing it for the dog.

My neighbor just built a nice gazebo -- she told me it was quite a chore to get approval from the board for the paved part (floor tiles), but so long as it was not raised above ground they allowed it. There is a drain on every yard. I do like what she did, I still want to see different focal points in a garden (not just a dining area) and more curves. For this I need a person with an eye for that kind of things.

I will look at your suggestion for the bbq under the stairs and try to visualize it and see the pros and cons. It is a small area and with traffic up and down. Earth boxes yes, and retaining walls and that kind of things would be welcome. Thanks for your suggestion.

The door in the back is for the ground level of the condo (laundry room and garage). Those ugly stone steps... I also need to think about them.
And yes, the dog :)

Landscaping can be expensive, but sometimes we just have to bite the bullet. Esp. if you plan to live there a long time. Buy the best & cry only once. Choose easy care materials. Photo1:Patio can be round. Needs to be minimum 8' circular, I think. A brick or stone or slump stone faux retaining wall in the back curve of the circle would be cute. Grasses are being used more today in plans, too. Photo2: Serpentine shaping on sides & back (instead of straight rows of shrubs) always looks good. Photo3:circular patio with wall. I have a similar wall and the curved shape looks so nice & is good for extra seating. #4: this is one of my favorites. Brooklyn Heights brownstone. Look especially at their landscaping for ideas. I especially like the 3 large round stepping stones. http://www.houzz.com/projects/25957/Brooklyn-Heights-Addition
Interview some landscape people, they're probably busy this time of year. I live in a gated community, now, & I know all about whims of boards. I was brought up in Yonkers, BTW, not too far from you. Best of luck.

Bamboo can make a great privacy screen and some varieties can do well in long planters -- maybe at the fence line so you don't need approval?. It also has a nice relaxing feel. Some wavy flower beds especially in the corners and property edge can soften the angularity of the yard too. Last, there are some lovely sail tarps that are very removable but can add interest and a nice place for a hammock oasis. Good luck!

Yes, I have seen it used as screen, it seems to grow pretty fast. Don't know what kind of soil it needs to thrive, I live by the ocean.

Thank you for the photos, they are better than a thousand words. Especially photo 1 seems appropriate to a small space and it's curvy and pleasing to the eye. It reassures me that the right ideas can transform a small yard into such enjoyable oasis. I also liked photo 4 because there isn't just one main focus but two areas for gathering that make it inviting and interesting.
I also agree with what you said, cry once but then enjoy it for the duration. Thank you!

Privacy: add slots into the chain link fence or attach the rolls of bamboo fence you can pick up at a nursery.

If you need privacy from above look into Shadesails (or Sunsails?) you can buy from Home Decorators, Improvements, etc. These allow light and breezes thru, but not heat.

Area under stairs: good place to create your "kitchen area"

Outsize back door: looks like a good spot to put down some pea gravel and set out a few pots of herbs. These can be stacked up on pavers for a variety of heights. It is close to your door, so you can run out and grab a handful for cooking.

Trees, I would have a good sized mounded area created by the fence line where your two chairs are. Then just make sure that the area will handle the tree's mature size and not have root that are too invasive. Hard to beat the beauty of a Japanese Maple. Think they do find by the coast.

Hi -- thanks for the good suggestions. You said "add slots to the chain link fence" -- what are slots in a chain link fence? I googled for images but came up empty.

Google "slats" for a chain link fence. I think it was a typo.

No, not a typo! Slots as in slot machines! Backyard Vegas style!

My bad! Should have been slats. They aren't great looking, but do add privacy!

Hi croomet,

I have a link for you in regards to native plant material for your area. I'm not sure if you have had your garden designed yet but I thought I would pass this link on to you.

http://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=NY

I hope this helps!
Glenna

Thank you Glenna. I'm looking at the link you sent, and many of the organizations listed.