Duplicate Post

Wonderful that you have essentially a blank canvas to work with! I wrote a blog post that outlines basic concepts in designing a garden. http://bit.ly/1HWf7Oa

Remember to design the garden around your programming needs, challenges and aspirations. How long do you plan on living here? Who will the users be? How will you entertain? Once you determine many of the answers, you should be able to align those with your budget. best of luck.

Where is a picture of your covered patio?

Ditto on the espalier, and I might add rose bushes right in front. Plan your 2 patio spaces first, , and divvy the rest into your bedding areas. Add a compost area hidden at the back somewhere, and then shape your walk to access all areas, making it wide enough for a cart, and sporadic 3-4ft planting borders along the way.

If you make the path a circle with roses in the center, everything will connect and you will always be able to stop and smell - etc. Best of luck.

So, you are going to extend the concrete patio to the firepit area. What about creating a small raised bed, between the window and your new patio to put in some of your annuals and perennials.

Absolutely . Espalier keeps everything on your side, if debris is your consideration. If you want to let the trees spread naturally, but worry about neighborly relations, then it won't hurt to ask how they feel about it.