Backyard Bliss

TAKING YOUR YARD FROM ZERO TO HERO

Photography by Tim Pilgrim of TP Gardens + Fan Club Brands

Many people struggle with where to start when it comes to fixing up their backyard. There are so many options and endless inspiring spaces online and in our own communities that it’s hard to choose a direction. We’ve gathered the knowledge of our Nest agents, combined with some advice from professional gardening experts, to give you some guidelines for where to begin. Soon you’ll be on your way to creating an outdoor space to enjoy with your family—to entertain, to reconnect with nature, and to soak up some Vitamin D.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE

When you close your eyes and envision your perfect backyard, what are you doing in that moment? In other words, how do you want to spend your time? You could be working on the lawn or in your shed; gathered around a firepit, surrounded by friends; sitting in a lounge chair, or on a bench, overlooking your xeriscaped gardens; or commanding over a grill. Think about the specific ways you want to use your outdoor spaces.

When starting from scratch, Tim Pilgrim, designer and founder of TP Gardens, suggests first determining what you want out of your space. “I like to work out what I like to call the ‘places to be.’ That might be an alfresco area, a firepit, or simply a nice spot to watch the sunset in your garden each night. Identify these places first, and then move into connecting them.”

Below are some key questions to get you started. Based on your answers, create a wish list of specific zones that you’d like to incorporate into your new oasis.

• Will you need a dining area? Outdoor kitchen or bar area?
• How many people will you be entertaining and how often?
• Do you need turf for toddlers or a dog run? A chicken coop? Firepit?
• Outdoor spa? Sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, outdoor shower?
• What kind of hang-out spaces do you need for you or your guests?
• Do you see yourself watching TV or movies outdoors or just enjoying music?

RECORD YOUR DETAILS

Take stock of your current situation. Backyards are a lot of work! What existing structures, hardscaping, fences, paths, trees, plantings, or other existing features do you need to take into consideration? You’ll have to assess what’s staying, what’s going, and whether or not you are doing this yourself or bringing in the pros.

Are there electrical outlets? Where are the spigots located? Also, is there a sprinkler system? Take detailed notes and measurements of your entire yard and sketch out a basic map. Make copies of this yard plan, so that you can work out various configurations when you reach the flow state, farther along in this article.

This is a great time to think about privacy and noise restrictions. How close are your neighbors? Will you be entertaining late into the night? This will affect your overall hardscaping, fencing materials, privacy walls, and costs. You might want to incorporate some of those discreet speakers, disguised as rocks. Don’t make lighting an afterthought either—will you need uplighting for aesthetics, cafe lights for entertaining, illuminated pathway lighting for safety, or motion sensor lights for security?

GATHER INSPIRATION

Here comes the fun part! Scroll through Instagram or Pinterest to find yards that make you happy. Check out your neighbors’ outdoor spaces on your dog walk or go for a drive. Take note of the specific elements you are drawn to. Is it the color palette of the landscaping or a Koi pond? Is it the way the dining area sits adjacent to the herb garden? Is there a winding path that leads to a spa area? Does a modern, zen-style yard with clearly defined pathways make you feel rested and relaxed or does a whimsical English-style secret garden with winding brick paths awaken childlike dreams?

Are there things you want to avoid? Consider the level of upkeep that each style requires. Are you willing to make that commitment for years to come or should you slightly adjust your end goal?

With a clear vision in mind, narrow down your inspiration images to a few that speak to your specific style and wish list. Choose elements that will work in harmony and enhance that style.

SET A BUDGET

Be realistic about how much you are hoping to spend up-front—and in the future. Will you be doing the installation yourself or hiring landscapers? Will you handle the ongoing maintenance or will you hire a monthly or seasonal landscaping service? Again, it pays to be realistic here.

You might need to break up your plan over a few seasons, and that’s okay. Start with the hardscaping budget, because you might be shocked at the price of seemingly simple things like retaining walls and patios, then move on to landscaping. And lastly, add in the finishing elements like furniture, projector screens, and lighting.

Hired services can range from design to installation to ongoing lawn care (fertilization, mowing, edging), as well as weeding, leaf removal, gutter cleaning, snow and ice management, electrical maintenance (including lighting, internet, flat-screen TVs, water features, and spa equipment), and sprinkler maintenance. Even the best handywomen and handymen need a little help sometimes.

FIND YOUR FLOW

Using the overall yard plan that you created earlier, it’s time to play around with zones. Grab a pencil and begin sketching. Think about how each of your wish list zones (garden, dining, lounge, firepit) could fit together.

Pilgrim advises, “I like to keep the productive areas like vegetable gardens and sheds slightly out of sight—or maybe have a beautiful gate or an arbor framing the entrance—but still close enough to the back door or kitchen for ease of access. The outdoor dining and entertaining areas can be closest to the home’s main entrance so that the flow between them is seamless.”

Once you’ve decided on how many zones you can fit (and afford), start mapping out paths to connect each space. Take the position of your home and the direction of the sun into account—and work with, instead of against, any large shade-providing trees or your neighbor’s towering garage. Really think about how each space works in tandem with the next and consider your pathway materials carefully as they greatly impact the style of the yard.

Also, when creating your map, don’t forget about your side yard or front yard. Perhaps an entire cozy spa zone could live discreetly beside the home, tucked away from neighbors. And depending on your situation, the front yard may be an ideal spot for a shady pergola. Some like to connect the side yard for a dog run or other functional, but not necessarily beautiful, space.

HARDSCAPING

Whether you are working with a professional or installing yourself, ensure that you have a clear plan established, measurements checked and rechecked, and a timeline and budget written out, not just in your head. The timeline and budget will, realistically, need to be a little bit dynamic—these projects always take longer and cost more than you think they will.

While it’s tempting to jump right into the beautiful landscaping, buying plants that look good in the nursery, it’s crucial to get your hardscaping established first. “I know it’s hard when you just want to get planting instead of the hard work of moving soil, making paths and building pergolas, but it’s worth it in the long run,” Pilgrim says. “Working out the bones first makes the whole process of filling it in much more impactful and enjoyable.”

LANDSCAPING

Now it’s time for the backyard bliss to commence. This is the moment when we allow natural beauty to take over. Pilgrim suggests using your favorite plants to create a scene, instead of just going wild at the nursery, because you’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop once you start looking. He also suggests creating micro-gardens in large pots, experimenting a little bit, taking notes, and then installing them in the ground when you’re ready.

Work with a local nursery to find the plants, flowers, and trees that best suit your zones, style, and vision. Choose your favorites, keeping in mind a general color palette that suits your home and your chosen yard style—spiky ornamental grasses planted in a row will work well for a modern garden, while evergreens manicured into geometric topiaries feels more Italian-inspired.

Remember that flowers bloom at different times throughout the year. Try staggering your plantings so you can enjoy your yard all season long. “Form and contrast in foliage are just as important to consider as floral blooms,” advises Pilgrim. “The challenge is getting it all working well throughout the seasons, layering and staggering your planting and timing these moments throughout the year.”

MAINTAIN

Congratulations! You’ve taken your backyard (or maybe your entire property) from zero to hero. Pat yourself on the back and take a moment to relish the tranquility you’ve created.

To enjoy this space for years to come, keep up a regular maintenance schedule, but also take note of what is thriving and what could be tweaked. Those weeds aren’t going to pick themselves, that’s for sure. Keep an eye out for shady spots you didn’t anticipate. Maybe next year, you will finally get those backyard chickens.

Gardening, and landscaping in general, is an involved and rewarding process. There is always room to improve, always work to do, and there will always be surprising delights.

 

~ This Backyard Bliss article was excerpted from the pages of NEST Magazine…To subscribe to NEST, click here. For the full Winter 2023 issue, click through here.