I didn't even know this topic for a board existed. Someone at the budget board graciously directed me here.
Well, after many years of our backyard being ordinary (mow strip, play structure, sandbox, play house, grass, digging areas in the dirt!), I think we are ready to redesign and landscape our backyard. Our kids are now 8, 10 and 13, and don't use the backyard much.
So, I want to pull out the current shrubs and bushes, take out the mow strip and patio, transplant our rose bushes and start over.
I'd like to lay a new patio.....either those big tiles or concrete where you dye and stamp it, so it looks like tile. We'll put grass close to the fence line, with some kind of border (maybe river rock, which I love, or some kind of border plant.) Also, we'll need a dog run. (My dog digs, so he can't have full run of the backyard anymore!) I also want an outside heater and a hot tub.
While I will contract out some of the work, I will need to plan it out, and know what I want. Does anyone have recommendations for books or websites for information? Do you have any suggestions for me, having done it yourself?
We live in California, so this will be an entertaining area for us, that we can use most of the year. Our area gets so hot in summer (we don't have air conditioning), so we'll use it alot in the evenings in summer.
Any suggestions are warmly welcomed.
Well, after many years of our backyard being ordinary (mow strip, play structure, sandbox, play house, grass, digging areas in the dirt!), I think we are ready to redesign and landscape our backyard. Our kids are now 8, 10 and 13, and don't use the backyard much.
So, I want to pull out the current shrubs and bushes, take out the mow strip and patio, transplant our rose bushes and start over.
I'd like to lay a new patio.....either those big tiles or concrete where you dye and stamp it, so it looks like tile. We'll put grass close to the fence line, with some kind of border (maybe river rock, which I love, or some kind of border plant.) Also, we'll need a dog run. (My dog digs, so he can't have full run of the backyard anymore!) I also want an outside heater and a hot tub.
While I will contract out some of the work, I will need to plan it out, and know what I want. Does anyone have recommendations for books or websites for information? Do you have any suggestions for me, having done it yourself?
We live in California, so this will be an entertaining area for us, that we can use most of the year. Our area gets so hot in summer (we don't have air conditioning), so we'll use it alot in the evenings in summer.
Any suggestions are warmly welcomed.
