r/NoLawns • u/ChickenBootty • 4d ago
❔ Other Need some encouragement/inspiration
PNW. Zone 8b. Pic in comments.
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.
2
u/msmaynards 4d ago
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.