My DIY project...any tips?

10 years ago

I didn't do a very good job taking care of the berry bushes in my yard, so I decided to get rid of them.

I turned the ground, laid the landscape fabric, then the stepping stones, and rinsed and began laying the pea gravel...and now I'm nervous that it won't look right. Aside from getting more gravel, any tips? (Did I need to lay down sand first?) what would you do to "beautify" this area? Any tips are welcome! Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

texasboykin

10 years ago

Hmm, not quite sure what you had planned for that area. A patio table and chairs? The concrete stepping stones are to small and random. If you enjoy gardening, you could get three metal horse troughs and set them side by side with about three feet between each and use the stepping stones as a path to get to them. Then grow colorful annuals mixed with herbs and vegetables. You have put a lot of work into this already. I'm sure with some more ideas given you will start seeing a vision of what you want.

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Comments (9)

Ben Hart
10 years ago
I agree with you. You have made the area feel a bit unwelcoming and "hard". If it were me, since it appears to be a sunny area, I would plant a lovely little garden there with perennials, herbs, and edibles. You could even put a small walkway to a cute little table surrounded by your herb garden.
Bev
10 years ago
That area definitely needs some flowers and greenery! It will be so much prettier and add curb appeal as well.
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Ceej Sharp
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you! Honestly, I kill plants...I don't want to but I have a true black thumb over here. When we moved here I drowned a beautiful perennial garden that the previous owner had (they'd won the town award for best garden) :/

I was thinking a hammock, cafe table and chairs, a colorful globe on a stand and maybe a "welcome" sign like the one attached....thoughts?
texasboykin
10 years ago
Well, we must have been typing at the same time. Sorry. I see you don't like gardening. If you group your stepping stones closer, maybe a two inch gap between each, and form a square or rectangle for your cafe table to sit on. A table and chairs. Maybe find a large colorful urn shaped pot and put a grouping of bamboo sticks in it since you don't want to use plants. Ornamental grasses are fairly easy to care for.
Ceej Sharp
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you! (I'm ashamed to discuss what I did to the woman's ornamental grass. It didn't send a chance)
augusttiger
10 years ago
I would get a few large planters, colorful, to go with the color scheme you choose. Go to a greenhouse and ask for a combination of plants that are hardy for your area.
einportlandor
10 years ago
Figure out the stepping stones -- they don't seem to have a purpose. Do you even need them? A cute little cafe table and chairs and maybe a colorful umbrella on the gravel section will look inviting. You could hang something decorative on the fence for added color. You can't kill inanimate objects.

Do you think you can keep one, drought tolerant, tough-as-nails plant alive? If so, get a tall, beautiful, colorful pot to go in the corner (in front of the downspout), go to the nursery and ask them to help you pick a slow-growing, evergreen, unthirsty, inexpensive shrub. Get a friend to help you plant it, put a thick layer of mulch, sea glass or rocks on the top and throw some water on it every so often. After it dies, yank it out and replace it with a new shrub. Or leave the pot empty. It will still look good.
auntthelma
10 years ago
I like it. You want to make it a destination. Perhaps use the stepping stones to lead from the door to the patio. Add a piece or two of comfy furniture and maybe a small bird bath or fountain.