Blacktop........like asphalt? You could try raised beds although raised beds over a petroleum based paving material like asphalt would not be my first choice! I would remove from areas that I really wanted to plant in and use the rest as a patio or sitting area. You could cover with artificial turf if the surface is level enough and in good condition but it is expensive and I wouldn't waste the cost unless the results were close to perfect. You could use a small outdoor carpet instead or wood patio tiles that snap together to disguise the blacktop.

thank you! I am considering anything, because the sun beats down on it and it is extremely hot so you can't even sit out there!

wild idea, but if taking up the asphalt is impractical what about pea gravel contained in bed made of landscape timbers (lined with landscape fabric to help contain the gravel). Then potted plants on the gravel. It would be a lighter color than black asphalt, which might help.

Build a pergola over a section of the black top with potted vines to give a shady retreat. My son has some raided beds on legs that he grows his little garden in--tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and some herbs. They are about 4 ft x 2 ft and can move to another home in the future.

It wouldn't be a good idea to "cover" asphalt. As Gardengal suggested, figure out what areas of it you want to preserve for walking on, sawcut the rest away and remove them/it in order to re-expose the earth for gardening.

I bet not only do you have to remove the asphalt, but also a bed of stone under the asphalt that is a base material for the asphalt. Your probably better doing raised beds and covering the asphalt than the cost to remove it all and bring in soil.

Correct, the base would be part of asphalt and need to be removed.

A better way to approach this problem is to show pictures of the overall area. Someone might see a better way of resolving it.

If you do opt for raised beds, make sure they are fully contained, like metal stock tanks. Or elevated on legs. You do not want your soil or plants growing directly on the asphalt.

You can also create a very pleasant garden area by growing whatever you want in a collection of containers. Will take more time and attention than being able to grow directly in the ground but will also avoid the need to remove any of the asphalt.

thank you

I learned a lot from all of you, have to make some decisions now....but thank you so much!

thank you! I definitely will start this in the spring! At last, I see a light that will take away this

ugly blacktop without the huge expenses involved otherwise! Happy New Year!

Hey, you will never have to worry about gophers burrowing into your garden with asphalt as the base, I think it's a great idea!