It looks like a nice space -- I'm assuming with grass that nice you get a fair amount of sun? With sun, you can do anything!

There are a bunch of questions you need to decide on before you get started.

What's the physical space? How large is it, how sunny is it, are there any obstacles/challenges (like the wall), any restrictions (like ripping up the sod and laying pavers/decking), how close is your water source, etc.

What do you want to use the space for? A kitchen garden, cutting garden, personal oasis, outdoor entertaining space, putting green (I can't get over how good the grass looks!), playspace for kids, etc.

What's your style? Tuscan villa, Morrocan walled garden, English cottage garden, Japanese zen, urban minimalist?

How much time/money/skill do you have? Do you have time to water a lot of containers? Can you pay for a lot of big plants or hardscaping? Will you be there long enough to ket plans unfold over time, or do you want immediate impact? Are you able to build raised beds or other outdoor structures?

There are a ton of things you can do with a small space, even with little money and little time. But it helps to narrow down what effect you're going for. And the best way to do that is... look at pictures! Collect pictures of what you want, then start researching how to create those effects in your space!

(And of course, consult with folks on sites like this one!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Google search on

I recommend planting things that can grow up (ie vines). I used to have a pretty solid sized deck with great sun exposure but always planted stuff in pots that didn't get more than a few feet high. It was never quite as lush as I was hoping and I think that's the reason. Get some good, sturdy trellises.

It would be helpful if we had more information, like what is out of our sight to the right? What is the sun orientation? What are the views from your rear windows? Do you need to screen a view out from a window? Do you need to screen a view from a neighbor into your outdoor room? What does your family wish to do in the outdoor space? They will each have different desires for that activity area - write them all down for consideration, no matter how they sound to you. There are no bad ideas at this point. Analysis first, then plan.

Call Miss Utility to come by an check to see if there are any utility lines buried beneath this space. There is no charge, as you are protecting them.

Does the BBQ indicate that your husband likes to cook out or entertain friends here? Does the wagon indicate small children, or grown children, or just better to use than a clumsy wheelbarrow.

Does the dirt area indicate active use, as in trash or refuse area - right next to the BBQ entertainment area. If this is the best place for it, screen it with a lattice fence. You can put feet on the fence sections so they can remain movable, without posts. Do this, whether you move the BBQ or not.

Where is the access to this area, from the corner by the wagon?, from some steps by the photographer? Analysis first, then plan.

Enjoy the process. Make it a family affair.

cascio.offsite@gmail.com

I know this thread is 1 year old and by now you've probably sold your home and work full-time on a riverboat. But if it were me, I'd put that hideous patch of turf grass out of its misery. If fire isn't practical or legal, I'd go to town with a shovel. Cardboard and newspaper can help seal the deal. Once the grass is gone, I'd let that sh|t go hippie wild: crazy brambles of thorny volunteer Blackberry and racing weedy Willow saplings amidst patchy tangles of Virginia Creeper. I'd let bee hives and wasp nests grow in that outdoor grill. If you can find occasional Garter Snakes, you know you're on the right track. Then if an apocalypse comes, you'll have a head start on your neighbors in medicinal wild herbs.

As a professional landscape designer, it's always fun to create functional and beautiful small garden spaces. I recommend, removing the turf so that you don't have to mow. Put in a meandering small pathway (use larger flagstones though), pea gravel or ground cover planted in between to soften the space. Adding vertical evergreen plant materials, either a couple Arborvitae 'Emerald Green' or even an Evergreen Clematis interplanted with a Climbing Rose will being an interesting color combination of color and texture to this space and will bring the eye up and soften the existing wall. I personally like adding a water feature for ambiance, some great lanterns for lighting, a colorful bench and perhaps an outdoor mirror to open the space. This garden has tons of possibilities that can enhance and add an outdoor 'living room' to your home.

Good luck & Happy Gardening,

Linda Greenberg, APLD

704-995-7173

linda@lglandscapes.net