Side yard

Consult a reputable landscape contractor regarding any drainage issues. Here are a few ideas once your drainage is remedied:

I'm in SoCal, and I can advise going onto your Nextdoor and looking for a landscape designer, or a landscape architect.

You didn't mention what your budget is, but assuming that budget is a factor, I can share how we re-did our front yard.

Found a good and reasonable landscape "designer" (not an architect, because I didn't feel we needed that, and also for budgetary reasons).

She designed a Mediterranean-style yard that kept our trees (to save $$) and fulfilled my desire to get some color out there. She gave me access to (I think it was Monrovia's) interactive website with the entire photograph-heavy "plant palette" listed under my name, and I could read about each plant (eventual size, use, water requirements, and everything else), and I could add in a few of my own choices, or nix a couple of her choices based on my wants.

And then she had a professional plan drawn up (which was required because I'm in an HOA).

Here's where I saved a lot of money: just had our regular gardener install all of it. I know enough about irrigation and mulch and fertilizer (and so does he) that I didn't want a design/build team coming in. I purchased the plants mostly in 1 gallon containers, with my gardener so he could get the 10% discount.

Installation took two weekends.

We did this about 6-8 years ago, so prices would vary, but in our very HCOLA the whole thing was under $11,000 or so (our front yard looks to be twice the size of your backyard, btw), whereas my neighbor had a design/build team do their front yard and it was $60-80,000 for pretty much the same thing. Sure, they had special soils trucked in, and 3-4 mature olive trees installed, but man, I think mine looks better.

Well, that's the story. You didn't mention budget, and if budget isn't a factor for you, then I suggest you just find yourself a landscape architect who has an installation team of their own.

Also, fyi, I'm in Zone 9A and we are closer to the coast than high desert, but 9A isn't a desert. (well, I'm no pro but I'm not in what is commonly thought of as the desert).

Thanks for your detailed response. Budget is a consideration mostly because this is not a forever home. We just want the yard to be functional and look decent.

Our Nextdoor is mostly filled with lost pets, sob stories asking for money, and complaints. I'll put something in there but I don't have high hopes.

We are definitely in the high desert and definitely a 9a according to the hardiness maps. Approx 3,000 feet above sea level, North of the San Bernardino mountains.

To find someone who would be knowledgeable about drainage issues, should I look for particular professional designations? I searched around and didn't see any helpful info.

Personally, I just looked for a landscape designer who had great reviews on Nextdoor.

I called and spoke to her about our budget, and she agreed to come and look things over and give me an idea of what we could do within our budget. She spent about an hour with me, going over general ideas and what other services she could offer (that I did not need: things like choosing a paint color for my home exterior; choosing special pots; ideas about changing up the hardscape; thoughts on trimming trees or removing them).

I hired her because she was very willing to work with the limited things I needed: a space plan (required for the HOA); a willingness to help me save money, plant selection and overall design, and a great knowledge of mediterranean and drought-tolerant plants. That's what I needed, and I made sure she was on board before hiring her.

As far as drainage, it's a great idea as a homeowner to understand the drainage patterns on your property. Where the roof gutters empty to; how the yard slopes, where the drains are and where do they empty out to (in my tract areas, they funnel to either side of the property and out to the street through holes in the curb). I am NOT an expert, however, if you have a good gardener, that person can help you identify where things drain.

Other ideas for finding someone to help you: ask your neighbors, esp the ones with yards that appear professionally designed; ask at local nurseries; call your local Garden Club and try to get on the mailing list or join if you can, just to network. You may be able to call the phone number of the garden club and ask for personal recommendations. I am sure someone there could help you.

On my Nextdoor, there are interest groups, and one of them is Gardening. Check to see if your Nextdoor has such a special interest group. Your post requesting a recommendation may get more traction in there.

Hi, thanks for your response. As mentioned above, my local Nextdoor is not a good resource. I did find a link to our county licensing board for concrete and landscape contractors so that should help me narrow the search.

Call some garden clubs next, and ask for referrals.

More option to go with

I love the way the light reaches the ground through your trellis.

If it were my space, I'd do a combo of Japanese Zen, Italian ceramics and let the cosmos (are those cosmos?) and lantana creep in for fun

Victor Valley College might be a good place to start. They have a Landscaping Certificate so I'd ask the instructor it if they would recommend anyone.

It looks like you have a great space once you clear out all/most of those rocks.

Don't put in plastic turf, Please -- and you will hate it when it gets hot.) Don't paint the dirt green either lest somebody give you that idea. For now I would put the rocks in a corner in case you want some for later.

I'd rearrange what you have and have fun with it. Try not to buy anything expensive you can't take with you. I don't think you need $11,000 to do this. If you don't like the honeycomb pavers, offer to donate them to someplace for free if someone will pull it all for you.

Do you care about cooking herbs? I'd grow a ton of them in that raised bed by the white fence, but no doubt you'd need to remediate the soil first.

https://www.bloomingbackyard.com/drought-tolerant-herbs/

@aziline - Thank you for that idea, the college is just down the street, it could be a great resource.