Low Maintenance Landscaping

| Wednesday, November 20, 2013
By Stephen Garcia


Ideas for small backyard patios are endless! Don't be discouraged if your backyard is tiny and you think it cannot accommodate a hard surface seating area. A patio can be constructed in a corner with ease. Just think about how nice it would be to escape to an outdoor oasis in your own backyard.

Some things to consider when deciding where to locate your patio is what you are going to use the space for. Take note of where the sun is during the day.

Going Up! If your small backyard doesn't provide the space to expand outward, try expanding upward. Vertical landscaping lets you make use of your yard's vertical space, giving you a way to fit in your favorite flowers, ornamentals and even vegetables. Placing your plants on the vertical plane is also handy if you dislike bending or kneeling to tend low-growing plants.

Tiered potted plant stands and hangers make it easy to get started gardening upward. For more vertical options, try installing a trellis against a sunny wall, an arch or arbor over your entryway, or a pergola over your seating area. A bench with a trellis on each side or arch arcing over the seat does double duty to provide a rest stop and space for more plants. These benches works especially well for aromatic plants, bringing the plant close to nose level, where it's easier to enjoy.

Pea gravel is easy to install and is great to create a cozy sitting area. It is a little harder to walk around on so if your intent is to use the patio for entertaining, it would be wise to put in a static hard surface patio. Pavers are very versatile as you can create many shapes and patterns with them. They also come in a variety of colours.

Water features are a great addition to any garden, but have you ever thought about building a small pond which would also function as an outdoor aquarium? They're brilliant and you would enjoy spending your evenings next to the fish. You could even build them a nice marine environment and convert your garden into a sought of water park.

For more detailed small patio ideas visit Small Backyard Patio. A great resource with step by step instructions and many patio ideas for small backyards.

Use trellises or plant screens to section off one part of the yard from the rest, then design each section for a particular use. In one "room" you might create a partially paved dining area with a table and chairs, pots of aromatic herbs and efficient outdoor lighting for evening meals, while another other room might serve as a reading nook with a chaise lounge or hammock, rustling bamboo and small waterfall to create a relaxing ambiance.




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