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kell765

Fix this view?

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

I'd like to do something to create calm, relaxing greenery. The space between the trailers is only about 6-8 ft, and my yard ends halfway.

Some things to keep in mind:

1) I'd love to get the neighbors to plant climbing jasmine, but we don't have the best of relationships so it's best left alone.

2) Running down the halfway point in the yard are electrical lines underground so it's not a good idea to plant anything with deep roots - or maybe anything at all in the ground.

3) It's on the side of the house so a window box might look funny, and our house does not have siding so it might be hard to install

4) Would want to do it in a way that would not be jarring to the view in front - so it would blend into something and not just be some floating fence or something - actually I"m not sure if the community here would allow fences because they keep it pretty strict to keep things nice.

5) Already considered decorating fixes like adjustable blinds, window film, sheers etc. I'd still like to create something open


and airy and sunny. Am considering also some inside house plants on the sill but it still won't block the trailer. As you can see, there's not a lot of room and it's very neat and clean inside. You can't see it but there's a bed I'm sitting on, three feet from the window - and a tall desk behind that guitar - the crates are in a corner. So very small, neat space.

Suggestions welcome! Not sure if I should have posted this in the decorating forum - will move if need be. Thank you! =)

Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I suggest one or more tall pots outside the window w/a 3' trellis in each, then grow your vines on those. If you weight the pots w/bricks in the bottom (or get clay) they'll be pretty heavy. Several years ago I bought pots like this (mine are 30" tall) for plantings with height on either side of our walk. Pink jasmine is growing in them remarkably well.

    K S thanked melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Since this looks like we are talking about between the sides of trailers, not between the ends, I would question the reliability of the information about the "electric lines." It is not likely that they would be placed alongside and between trailers. Then, if we are talking about 220/110V, it will surely be buried at least 30". It's doubtful that you would run into them by planting a 3-gallon or less pot. The roots of typical plants are not going to do anything to buried electric lines ... unless you're planting a major tree and we are talking 12 years down the road. It is likely that you might run into shallowly buried telephone, Internet or TV cable. So you'd want to dig carefully as those cables wouldn't be in a conduit.

    If you're trying to screen just 4 or 6 linear feet, I'd go with a trellis 6' to 8' height that you construct yourself out of a couple of 4"x4" treated posts installed as close as you can to the "lot line." Span the post tops with a treated 2"x4" so the posts won't pull toward one another with the weight of a vine. Drive stakes into the ground at 12" intervals and run twine to them from the 2"x4" so the vine has something to climb on in order to get to the top. Plant some moonflower vine or Heavenly Blue morning glories. You'll get screening in only a few weeks. Also plant the start of a drapey perennial vine (Clematis ...?) so that eventually you'll have something permanent on the trellis. If stakes and string is too el-cheapo looking for you (it will be covered quickly) then create a lattice of 2"x2" treated wood with fairly large openings (10''-12"-ish.)

    K S thanked Yardvaark
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Where are you? What will grow will vary according to location.

    My thought was just the same as Yardvaark's - a trellis with vines set a bit closer to the boundary than midway so that you have room to walk between the trellis and the trailer, but the vine will stay on you side of the boundary. Use either Yard's trellis suggestion or use wire mesh with large openings attached to strong posts with the top support that Yard described.

    K S thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH
  • 9 years ago

    Until you can get the trellis put up you could install a hanger for a basket of philodendron or pothos on the INSIDE of your window.

    K S thanked junco East Georgia zone 8a
  • 9 years ago

    NHBabs we are in Central Florida.

  • 9 years ago

    In Florida you have quite a few tropical vine choices with which I would not be familiar. Think about the height you need and whether evergreen is important to you and then ask for suggestions on the Florida Gardening Forum. Then you can research the suggestions to see which would best fit your needs.

    K S thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I think some jasmine or climbing roses or any colorful flower would be nice. Not sure if the community would be okay with putting up a trellis or a fence. That would be my first preference, so I'll start there - the pots or the trellis divider - and see if they allow it. I am looking at alternatives also, like maybe attaching a window box to the bricking beneath since it goes up to almost below the window. Or doing a little half-circle garden outside up against the window but it would have to have pretty tall plants or trellises in order to be able to see them.

    The community might allow the pots idea. I was also thinking of some potted citrus trees there but they would take awhile to grow and the trellis is probably a lot prettier. Also, it's the only sunny window in the house so I want to make sure whatever goes there allows light in as well. And also creating a view from inside might help. We have a beautiful backyard with big oak trees, but during the day this spot gets more sun, so this is my morning spot, think cat in sunbeam.

    This is a corner window that continues the view into the front yard. I wish I could create a barrier or something that would block the view of the neighbors - without blocking the southwest sun.

    I'm not sure this is fixable other than blocking the front window with the curtain and putting a trellis on the side =( - what do you think?

    You can see from the laptop in the corner that this is my real "desk." I just wish I could look out on greenery instead.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow those are interesting - thanks - never would have thought of that. http://www.hometalk.com/post/9730173/media?id=2957340

  • 9 years ago
    I have bedroom windows off center and too high that I asked advice on on this site also. The least construction and cost for me would be a faux window or two. We are also in North Central Florida and I have worked for a deed restricted community so there are so things that I would factor into your decision.
    1) safety concern ** you live in a tinderbox ** please don't install or place anything that might slow or impede a quick escape in case of a fire. At least the windows looked newer? and nice and big and two of them!
    2) who maintains the yard? because when you have only a few feet between units it might be just enough to get the mower between them so putting anything outside the passageway window might be best but the trellis idea sounds nice if a few feet away from the rear facing window like maybe along a little sitting area if you have that option.
    3) So how about a faux scene window film that allows light through and then sheer curtains (so it doesn't look so fake, ha) and then curtains to your liking. Why not a beach scene so it looks like you are on your ocean deck when working at your computer!
    4) Sounds like you already know to clear everything with whoever oversees your deed restrictions when it comes to any changes to the outside of your home and especially verifying how far away from the house you can plant. Speaking of plantings, I noticed your photo from an earlier post and your landscaping looks so good!
    K S thanked Angela Acrivos Harvey
  • 9 years ago
    Sorry, need to make correction on 2). I meant to say it would be best to leave the passageway between the units clear of obstacles.
    K S thanked Angela Acrivos Harvey