What does the yard back up to? Is there another yard at the top, or woods, or a fence? Is the slope gentle enough that you would walk on it, so would a path or stairs be part of the design? What size are we looking at? I would love to see pictures, even if it is nothing but snow, currently.

Stairs will be necessary in spots, and after the "yard" is woods. Il attempt a picture. I own from the back of my yard up to the road behind the woods

This picture doesn't accurately show the slope, or the semi-flat spot almost halfway back. The property is a bit wider than the picture il try a video after this. I am going to fence in everything. A picket fence from the sides of the house to the "tree-line" then the fence will change to a sort of split beam fence but with 3 boards instead of split posts. I will also wire the back side of the "farm fence" portion since I plan on opening the door and letting the dog get some exercise. It's not a situation I think I will come across again

I agree with cyn427, what a beautiful property! I'd wait until spring/ summer to see what is growing out there already. I'd also carefully prepare any area you plan to plant, by killing off any currently growing plants. I'd cover the slope with black plastic or cardboard and shredded leaves, or spray it with glyphosate, if you are comfortable with that. Then you have a clean slate to start with.

Martha

Yep, Martha is right, depending on how good your soil is, lasagna gardening (you can google it) is great to prepare for planting. You could put your effort into the fence this spring while you improve the planting area. Several layers of newspaper or a layer of cardboard (doesn't decompose as quickly, though) covered with leaves or mulch will decompose pretty quickly. I wouldn't use plastic simply because it does not decompose and won't help any better than newspaper which will break down. Do it soon and you will be able to plant in the fall which is the best time to plant anyway. Then, plant the bulbs with the perennials above them. Perfect!

I reread your initial post. Are you planning to remove many of the trees between the retaining wall and the road? Was that what you meant by allowing more sun to shine? I would find out what trees you have growing back there first, and choose carefully if you decide to remove any. That kind of overgrown area can support all kinds of wildlife, and there are hundreds of wonderful shade-loving plants that would look wonderful planted under the trees. Certainly, it could use with some clearing out and organization, but you might have some treasures growing there already. Visit the woodlands forum and the native plant forum and also growing in shade. Is the open strip at the top of the retaining wall sunny at all? What direction does it face?

Martha

I do plan on thinning the trees out on the south side (the right side of the picture) for an eventual veggie garden but shade plants are definitely in order... Ever work with black beauty bugbane?

tried to get video figured out but have not yet. It looks Like I will have to post a youtube video first then upoad it here. Not a problem.

I'm reading about this lasagna gardening... There are a lot of dead leaves already around... So i should clear and orginize the mess of fallen branches and twigs, maybe divide up the dead leaves from the rest and pile it elsewhere, then throw down the newspapae rlayer and then lay out the dead matter over it? Also, your saying to plant all my perennials and bulbs in the fall..... I am a beginner so many things are new to me... specially this. won't the perennials just die in the winter and not get a good start? I am zone 6 so winters get fairly cold.

I wouldn't worry about the leaves if you are going to cover them now. They will just decompose and go back into the soil.

As far as fall planting, as long as you get things in the ground a bit before your usual freeze date, you shoukd be fine. I am zone 7 and i have planted as late as November here. Spring blooming bulbs must be planted in the fall. They need the cold period in order to bloom. I would put my perennials in at the same time. If I were you, I would put things in around the end of September/beginning of October, but check with your local nursery to be sure. Giving plants that start in fall is actually preferable to putting them in in the sring when the heat of summer can be tough on them. I don't know where you are (I am in northern VA and lived in PA most of my life) and you may not have the hot, dry summers we usually have. The rain and snow in fall and winter offer welcome moisture for the transplants.

Good luck. Be sure to keep us posted with your progress. It is going to be so beautiful! I keep trying rhododendron here, but haven't been as successful as I was in PA. I do have two that are hanging in at this point. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Edited to add: everyone here will tell you that preparing your beds is the most important part of gardening. They are right! It is so hard to be patient when you are starting out and eager to transform your space, but it will be worth it in the long run. Unless, of course, you already have that wonderful rich black soil that is the envy of those of us with Virginia clay! :)

I have to agree with the previous post about black plastic. Just a few weekends ago I was modifying a bed in my back yard, and to my surprise there was black weed bloc under stone. It took me a good hour to pull it up, and there is still some left. I have palm trees that have grown, and they have grown over the wee bloc, making it impossible to remove. I had to cut the plastic from around the tree.

There are so many better choices nowadays!

Alright then. Il start collecting newspaper and finding plenty of decomposing materials... Start collecting grass clippings and stuff.... A farmer works for me so I can get gay as well... What can I use for carbon? And should I add a lot of it or just a little? And FINALLY a think of a way to keep the hound out

And now I'm interested In woodland gardens and never thought about it. Is a cottage/woodland hybrid possible? I'm thinking of one spot, a sitting area surrounded with a backdrop of woodland garden, but facing a sunny spot 20 yard in front of it with some butterfly bush, hillside black beauty, baby's breath, some alliums.... Even a feature with some clematis or something g...can anyone see it? I've got until fall to plan this now!

Just a comment about dogs and gardens. Watch how your dog makes the "inspection" loop around the property. This may be a good way to determine how you would lay out pathways through the woods or around the property. Your woodland garden could be developed on either side of a set path which may keep the hound out of the plantings. You may also find pockets of sun within the trees to place mixed sun and shade plantings and maybe even a bench so you could look out at that sunny spot!

You have a wonderful property to plant. I once owned a house that backed up to wooded acreage. Unfortunately the woods weren't mine so I couldn't plant in there. Now my view is the vinyl siding of my neighbor's house. The evergreens can't grow fast enough.

Any plants I should avoid for the safety of the dog? And any experience with hillside black beauty ?

My Cimicifugas died a few years back during a very hot dry August. But until then it was a nice plant. In your photo, that area coming out of the trees that has a swale-like appearance might be a good spot for it as it needs dappled sun and lots of moisture. The spires have a smell....some think it is sweet smelling but others think it stinks. I think it's nice.

As far as plants to avoid, it depends on the dog. For instance, my dog has a habit of treeing a squirrel where there are helebores underneath. She gets a rash from it on her hindquarters if I don't get her away from them quickly. However, she doesn't seem to be interested in eating anything in the gardens except for squirrel or bunny.

I am late to this, and i don't know if rickcrum is still around, but Cimicifuga AKA Actea Hillside Black Beauty will be fine in shade. Mine grows happily with little attention and blooms in the fall; pollinators love it. I get a few seedlings, but not many. The only (minor) drawback to this plant is that I don't like the scent of the foliage, so I'd suggest planting it where you won't brush against it regularly. The foliage is a nice contrast both with color and texture from many other shade-lovers. I have read that Cimicifugas do fine in sun if it's moist, but the one I planted in sun never looks as good as those in smostly hade. I am not sure if that is due to the voles that infest the sunnier bed or the particular kind of Cimicifuga (the sun one is green) or what. I would also suggest that where ever you put it, don't plan on moving it. I had to dig mine after 2 years to run a water line into the foundation where it was planted, and the root mass was huge after such a short time.

My cimicifuga did not take well. I ordered it then it came in right before I went out of town for two weeks so my mother volunteered to keep it alive until I came home. Should have known my mother doesn't do very well with plants. Spent around 40 bucks on all of it too so that's upsetting.