Need inexpensive ideas for my yard
by
Kini
+6
Here are a couple of pics of my backyard in AZ. The metal shed has been removed and a new red barn style shed will be going in. The problem is the yard is nothing but dirt. I have a dog and I'm looking for inexpensive ideas to cover the area.
No I do not want real grass. That's expensive to water and maintain.
No I do not want real grass. That's expensive to water and maintain.
6 answers
-
https://www.google.ca/search?q=drought+resistant+ground+covers&biw=1173&bih=616&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiWhpfP_ZTLAhUIbR4KHYXGCW4QsAQIQA
Duv310660
on Feb 26, 2016
-
Check with your local county extension agent to see what will grow in your area besides grass. He/she can tell you which plants are hardy for your zone and then you can check with a greenhouse to see which ones will fit your budget. You might inquire about a xeriscape...that's using local plants that are hardy and require little to no maintainance and/or water. I would however, as an owner of 3 dogs also, put in at least a small area for your dog to use as his/her potty spot. He'll really love you for that and it won't be too difficult to maintain.
CK
on Feb 27, 2016
-
Perhaps a combination of mulch and stone...maybe you can find some you can have for hauling...you could also look for plants that are good for your area that creep and cover on their own for selected areas....maybe pallet walks or homemade pavers; bottle art all items from reclaimed materials plus a little (nails, cement) perhaps container garden from used buckets/containers to get multi heights, water feature with cheap pump and dug in bucket with cover and a few rocks (some of these are really cool); people do cool stuff with old tires and you have that fence you could hang things from, tie to, etc. I think it all depends on how you want the space to feel and what you like to do when you are there..keep your eyes peeled...things will show up that with a little creativity and elbow grease you can make it the have you want on your budget! Good luck, enjoy the process and show us pics when your done : )
Moxie
on Feb 27, 2016
-
My sister lived in Scottsdale for quite awhile and her yard was designed with desert landscaping. The yard was cut into zones, and she had an area of fake grass, then the large smooth river rocks creating a pathway (you could do that out to your new shed). There were cactus plants as well, but she also had bougainvillea plants, which were bright pink flowering shrubs, that bordered her fenced in areas. They were gorgeous and added some pops of color in the otherwise desert style landscape.https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/BOUGAINVILLEA_RASPBERRY.htm
Country Design Home
on Feb 28, 2016
-
Ask neighbors who have larger well established plants for cuts. Their plant may need a little haircut, and they can be great starters...especially succulents. You already know they can live there, and you can get them started for free. That gives you some green with little water....I love the idea of adding curvy areas filled with recycled rubber mulch and stones (in separate areas obviously) and paver paths.
Lucy Nunn
on Feb 28, 2016
-
You need shade!! SHADE for you and your pet and a place to entertain - relax & outdoor kitchen grill. You might consider building a large pergola or covered patio for shade. You will need some type of hardscape for a patio floor & walkway to shed & other traffic areas. This can be easily done by mixing individual bags of cement and pour directly on the ground - in 2X4 wood frames as large as you want to make the squares or rectangles for your patio and walkway - to dry before removing the wood frames. This can be done as your budget allows. You can fill in between the concrete slabs with pea gravel or aggregate rock. Another option will be to check with your local rock quarry to see what is available in slab stone! Once your traffic areas are defined, you will know where to start your landscape beds & defined the beds with mulch and plantings of drought tolerate grasses, succulents and maybe a couple of trees, a few boulders and other visual interests such as large pottery, etc. Hope this helps!
Sherry Renfro
on Feb 28, 2016
Sign Up to Answer
