Outdoors
Steps w grass
Wood sides for raised beds
Raised beds - use same outer wall as for pool area
Raised beds
Raised beds - guards
Raised veggie gardens
Fountain in place of pool
Gate for East side into yard
Vine across top of fence
Gate
More native, natural plantings around pool
Pond
Pond
Make water feature into pond
Water feature and gardens
Waterfall
Waterfall
The front yard area comes alive in late spring and early summer with a carpet of aromatic wooly thyme in full bloom.
A native herb garden allows one to experience the garden through smell and touch. Two pathways of different materials allow visitors the consideration of either an efficient or meandering experience.
Lawn - more naturalistic meadow Turn a Lawn Into a Naturalistic Meadow If you’re considering eliminating a traditional lawn or reducing its size, look to this naturalistic meadow designed by Ari Tenenbaum of Revolution Landscape for inspiration. The design incorporates many of the ideas we’ve already discussed — using native plants, including pollinator-friendly plants, keeping rainwater on site and reducing the need for supplemental water and maintenance — for a beautiful backyard design. Tenenbaum regraded the yard, which had been a neglected traditional lawn, and installed boulders and rocky basins to catch rainwater from the client’s roof. Next he planted sanddune sedge (Carex pansa) with a mix of flowering lavender, verbena and sweet alyssum, which benefit birds, bees and butterflies. “I would estimate this meadow will use about 30 to 50 percent less water annually, as compared to a traditional lawn,” he says — not to mention it will cut down on maintenance.
Capturing rainwater can help save water on a small scale. A rain barrel connected to a home’s downspouts allows one to capture the runoff from the roof for use in drier months. In this garden in San Luis Obispo, California, designed by Gabriel Frank, an attractive terra-cotta-colored rain barrel with a handy hose attachment allows for easy water dispensing to use on garden beds in the dry season. Tip: Before you purchase or install a rain barrel, be sure to check local laws. Certain states have issued rainwater-harvesting restrictions.
include some plants that are friendly to birds, butterflies and bees for a planting scheme that supports local wildlife. When planting pollinator-friendly blooms, mass them in clumps or bands so they can be spotted from a distance.
Layered plantings
Q