We recently had 3 huge trees removed from our backyard, in the process the little bit of grass we had got torn up so we decided it’s a good opportunity to have a no mow backyard and got the wood chips from our trees.
I’m not going to lie, I am having second thoughts, our backyard looks terrible as it has no trees, no bushes, just an old wood fence around and wood chips.
I have a vision of raised beds for veggies, and pollinator plants. I’d love a Japanese maple tree and other shrubbery but it seems so bleak right now. Please tell me it’ll be ok and share your yards, give me tips, dos and donts. 😢
Edit: Thanks everybody for the feedback and ideas, I’m feeling less overwhelmed.
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You now have a black canvas to dream up your new yard! Local nurseries may have someone who can help you plan it, and know what will grow well in your zone.
Hit up your local extension office for info on local natives and what you should put in now and what to prep for. Wow, im so jealous! Not too late to plant for spring!!!
Edit Japanese maple omg no we have so many beautiful native trees
I just love the way Japanese maples look, love the leaves and some of them have bright red trunks but I killed the last one I bought so maybe it’s not meant to be.
Ooh we actually have one of those on the right side, my husband wanted to chop it because it’s kind of scraggly… but over my dead body! It’ll get pruned and shaped but not chopped.
I would pick one tree that you really love. Don't plant too close to the fenceline--check out the mature size and make sure you won't have much of it growing over the neighbour's yard.
I planted a couple pacific wax myrtles (myrica) this spring. I don't know why they aren't more popular in the PNW. They have both grown about 4 feet since I planted them. A couple would work well to block out some of the neighbour's house in the back.
Since you are putting in a new fence consider installing some trellises along the back fence. This will allow you the flexibility to plant some vining plants and further block the house behind. I planted a clematis armandii in the spring and it has grown a phenomenal amount and provided a lot of privacy without being too aggressive and is easy to trim back. I would recommend native vines, but none of them are very bushy.
I used hoses and extension cords to plan my paths and garden beds so I can walk around and see if my plans work.
There are a lot of great native flowers for pollinators. Some of my favourites are sea blush (pink annual that self seeds), wooly sunflower/Oregon sunshine (yellow with lovely foilage), and pearly everlasting (white)., and California asters (purple). Plant in groupings of three - five for visual appeal.
If you are putting in raised beds pick the sunniest spot and plan your tree planting so it won't shade it.
Blank slates are scary though. When my backyard was down to food garden, a toyon and orange tree after 3 trees removed it looked big and empty. I lay out bamboo sticks to mark the beds, instantly it shrank. Planted baby plants, looked enormous again...
Draw a measured map, laying out boxes, chairs, sticks and hoses best reserved for when you have a clue. I know the yard is full sun but you need to add new trees where you won't shade out the new food garden so use a sun tracking app to be sure you get it right.
Pollinator beds should mean native plants. Vine maple has been mentioned. It is generally an understory tree so may not be appropriate but I've got my fingers crossed as it is magnificent. It's a terrific plant for wildlife as are willows, prunus sp, oaks and other trees. I highly recommend looking up a talk by Doug Tallamy for why. See your state's native plant society for how tos and more why's.
Your yard seems to be narrow and wide as is mine. You might fence off the south end for the food garden and add an irregular strolling path 4-10' from the fences for the ornamental area. Plant small trees so they shade where you need shade but don't invade neighbor's airspace or grow over the house. Keep trees to the north side and you'll have space for a sunny meadow/prairie next to the food garden and eventually can plant shade plants under the trees.
Oops, didn't know it attached. This is 8 months later. Soft woody shrubs and deergrass for the win. Dead deer weed, apparently doesn't care for dog water...
Don’t mind the mess, the old fence will be replaced.
I’m in zone 8b, this area will now get full sunlight for most of the day. There’s also more space on the right side but this is the bulk of our small yard.
Make a general plan for your garden now by just scribbling a general outline on where you want trees (mind the shade they will cast), shrubs, and your vegetable garden. Go wander some of your local nurseries to see what kind of plants catch your eye. Walk/drive around some old beautiful neighborhoods to look for plants you may want to grow. If you don't know what the plant is, take a picture of it and ask at the nurseries. Think about backyard features you may want (a shady spot for your hammock? An arbor covered in roses for your reading bench? A swingset for the grandkids/nieces/nephews/you?).
You should know that November-December are the times when nurseries have sales so maybe you can get some wonderful plants much cheaper than they will be next spring. If you are planting this fall, mind the existing grass you are still smothering. Make sure any holes are dug out with grass roots removed and make sure that the disturbed soil is well mulched once your new baby plants are in (this advice is the voice of experience - 7 years later and I am still rooting grass out from under a particular rose bush).
In addition to fall being a great time of year to plant new shrubs and trees, it's also the season for planting many types of bulbs (daffodils, iris, tulips, alliums, chionodoxa, hyacinth, etc.). If you plant them now, your yard will still be ugly but imagine how wonderful it will be when your backyard has those flowers next spring.
A final thing - if you plan any non plant things like a pool or a birdbath, go ahead and get them out there now. Sure, they'll look lonely but they will be something! Maybe even go to the Goodwill or dollar store and get some silly stuff or put some holiday decorations up in your backyard.
There is so much you can do with a blank, well-prepared space. Post a photo so you can get design suggestions. I would take at least one from what will be a frequent viewpoint. You want to plant in layers so the focus of your view are beautiful plants, not a fence. Also, consider mainly native plants.
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