The Beginning

Problem: No access to the backyard through the house, only access is through the garage or around sideyards. There is a grass alley that gives us vehicle access to the backyard. Virtually no existing landscaping. No plants. No style, no care, no nothing. Nothing has ever been done here.

There are two flowering plums in the front yard (on every lot on the street almost), the lawn is shot, the sideyard has a cyclone fence on one side, and on the other is a broken down fence. The backyard is often 2' high pasture grass. Not really a lawn though it can be tamed with a mower.

Ideas and Plans

In the beginning you have to assess your needs.
Access, trails & pathways, improve curb appeal, give the kids a "place," overall improve livability and resale value. Start with an overview - the skeleton (bones), paths, walks, define areas, and then fill in.

Here, plans include landscaping for privacy, camouflaging the cyclone fence, need a deck, a play area...

Sideyard - Step 1

Putting in the sidewalk and the gate to the backyard was the first step really. A step towards setting up the infrastructure, making a mark, and taking ownership of the place. New fence, new gate with trellis overhead... maybe for wisteria and clematis (ended up Iceberg roses and evergreen clematis) New walkway, weed barrier and bark. Started planting. First successes. Only drawback - now the kids can't dig here.