I forgot to add the yard was trimmed that day. We get a lot of weeds otherwise, so that's one of the main reasons I was considering mulch aside from an aesthetic point of view.

Thank you!

That's a great idea to decide on a style first and I like how you outlined it as bones, it gives me to built a blueprint. I was lost because I kept searching garden images and all styles came to mind. But giving it some thought, my house is a cottage and I def love cottage style gardens based on photos I just saw online. Maybe a little more tamed, instead of wild cottage -if that makes any sense!

It seems that cottage is gardening with no rules, informal and allows a blend of different flowers and plants, which fits my style because I have a love for a little bit of everything. I would like to stick to perennial type flowers because I live in cold area and would love to wait for spring and see those types bloom year after year again. One thing I've always wanted is a hydrangea bush, rose bush and a bird bath fountain so let's see how I am able to add those in :D!

All I can say from coming from a country property is to cover the areas you want to put flowers etc until you decide.

This looks like a fenced backyard area, so weedcloth, cardboard, just don't let those weeds get in there! They'll take over!

Now being in a city area we can pick or spray a little bit at a time. Nancy

Pinterest has great garden ideas Several things I would suggest are--make planting beds larger than you think you will need and add some curves to the beds. Then add your large trees or shrubs and work down to smaller ones. (I'm going through the same process as you.) It can be overwhelming to plan an entire yard. Sometimes working in sections is easier.

Thank you Nancy! That's very true, I live in a 'rural' city and my yard def has all sorts of weeds, even poison ivy growing, so that's one thing I will try to tame!

Thanks Jansgirl! I will check out Pinterest! It sure is overwhelming, fun but overwhelming especially for me because we only get a matter of time to enjoy gardening season, then winter hits and everything is done lol - so I'm trying to take advantage and hopefully finish so I can enjoy. The photo you posted is nice! I like curved beds, I tried to do something similar to my front yard with mulch but it was tricky because we wanted it to be the same exact angle size. I think for the backyard I'll probably just work with two curved angles on each side! :D

Also, look at the potager, cottage and garden junk/art forums here.

I've gone from an acre+ at the end of a lane(kinda wild/crazy plant whatever) to a very formal area and am having a rough time making the transition. I had gnomes hidden everywhere and other oddities, now I have to be a bit more conservative (but I might hide some stuff in the front yard to surprise those who notice!) Nancy