Dead space! HELP!

Martha
by Martha
I have this dead space between my house and garage that I have no clue what to do!!! I thought about putting like a wishing well and bench... maybe some bird feeders and bird bath? Would birds even go there since it's such a small space? Any idea what to do... or what could plant? I hate this!!!
  24 answers
  • Suzette Suzette on Jun 13, 2017

    Hi Martha, How about an intimate field stone patio! It would look great with the stone already on your house.

    • See 1 previous
    • Noreen Hitchcock Noreen Hitchcock on Jun 13, 2017

      I like this idea since it would give her a covered area to get from the garage to the house. She could grow all kinds of things in there and put a little table and chair set there, too. Gravel would be all she needs on the ground.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 13, 2017

    Make a portable garden with different size pots ,use a bench as a focal point,add different garden decorations.

  • Bruce Smith Bruce Smith on Jun 13, 2017

    We have a similar problem with the. Side of our home that gets no direct sun ned the grass won't grow. weput down landscape fabric and gravel, some pavers for a walkway, and raised planters for some dwarf evergreens. Now our eyesore is a very attractive zen garden

  • Judy Roberts Judy Roberts on Jun 13, 2017

    I initially thought of a great space to sit aka what Suzette mentioned above. Then I saw the trash can. How about a trellised off area to hide your trash can. You could also use it to hold other outdoor things.

    • San1665880 San1665880 on Jun 25, 2017

      Great idea. I ordered these panels from Home Depot and stained them to hide my ac unit

  • Martha Martha on Jun 13, 2017

    love the ideas! thank you all

  • Ellis Ellis on Jun 13, 2017

    I love the patio and zen garden ideas. Also, depending on sunlight there, maybe a small clematis vine on a trellis?


    I would stay away from bird feeders. The dropped seed and bird droppings could become a nuisance in an enclosed area like that. Also, rodents will be attracted to spilled seed.

    • See 1 previous
    • Ellis Ellis on Jun 26, 2017

      A neighbor has feeders. The rodents love them. Fortunately, the neighborhood cats keep the rodents in check. I love cats, but, now, I just need a cure for the neighborhood cats wrecking my garden!

  • Martha Martha on Jun 13, 2017

    ooo good idea ellis i never thought about the rodents!!! i have a black metal arbor pretty big... would that look stupid in a spot like that?

  • Zoe Emiko Zoe Emiko on Jun 13, 2017

    That's a lovely small contained area to put in a wildflower garden. Given it's located off the garage without direct access from the house I'm not sure a patio setting would get as much use as it should for the cost involved. Create a border like you did elsewhere to contain the garden and keep your look consistent. A pretty splash of color is just what that small space needs. It helps that wildflower mixes are incredibly easy to grow, that you can get mixes specific for your hardiness zone, are easy to plant and grow quickly. If you want you could build your border to curve inward leaving space for a pretty birdbath as a focal point with it's splash of color behind. If you have flowers, you'll get butterflies and hummingbirds! How special is that? You can get wildflower mixes that are combined specifically to attract each of those. Get one for butterflies and one for hummingbirds and mix them to get your own custom look.

  • Martha Martha on Jun 13, 2017

    yea we wouldnt use it as sitting... we have a back deck this is just for looks only reallly... how do you plant wildflower mixes? i have weed cloth down then rocks on top of that. of course weeds are growing there as well.......

  • Key cottage michigan Key cottage michigan on Jun 13, 2017

    Add red shutters as shown on right window. Place a white window box below with coleus plants in lime green and red and a sweet potato vine. Place the bench at an angle and paint it red.

  • Marianne Perry Marianne Perry on Jun 13, 2017

    I love shrubs, so I would put dwarf azaleas or forsythia or dwarf burning bushes, all can be trimmed right to bottom of window; you can add a bird feeder from your window above (birds love bushes to hide in). I have forsythia on all 3 sides of my yard for privacy, excellent without saying anything harsh, like a wooden fence does!

  • Caseyem11 Caseyem11 on Jun 13, 2017

    Sun flowers come in an amazing assortment of colors and heights. They would look great against your house color. Also coneflowers.

  • Sheryl Cowherd Turner Sheryl Cowherd Turner on Jun 13, 2017

    A cute little gazeble for hiding out with a book and a glass of wine would be my choice. 😄

  • Jenn Cunningham Jenn Cunningham on Jun 13, 2017

    Plant in a little herb garden with pathways and you can stick your birdbath or sundial in it.

  • Rhonda Atkins Rhonda Atkins on Jun 13, 2017

    Pergola and Patio

  • Tami Stade Tami Stade on Jun 13, 2017

    Do a fairy garden! There are lots of plants that are shade loving plants that you could do with a fairy garden...

  • Andrea Jackson Andrea Jackson on Jun 13, 2017

    It could be screened off with a trellis and used for your trash cans or someplace to repot plants, paint small things, as a small run for a dog, as an outdoor exercise area, or...

  • Judy Judy on Jun 13, 2017

    Perhaps a climbing rose, or a colorful plant. You would have to get one that doesn't need alot of sunshine. Best wishes, J.

  • Misty Joy Misty Joy on Jun 14, 2017

    A small pond with stone would look really nice. Then a small bench to sit and see the pretty fish.

  • Zest it Up Zest it Up on Jun 14, 2017

    Hi Martha!! I came across this same issue with my front yard! I wanted something that felt welcoming while looking aesthetically pleasing! Check out what I did below:

    Hope this inspires you!!

  • Zest it Up Zest it Up on Jun 14, 2017

    Another idea is adding a Japanese Inspired Garden:

  • Eleanor S. Young Eleanor S. Young on Jun 17, 2017

    Martha, repeat what you have then plant a row of Hostas for the shade, that is what I use for my shaded yard.

  • Vde15984209 Vde15984209 on Jun 18, 2017

    how about a small patio table with an umbrella and chairs? Add potted plants that attract birds butterfly's ! Add bird feeders too! It's going to look great!

  • San1665880 San1665880 on Jun 25, 2017

    A private zen garden with rocks and pavers would be a great idea. I have a small backyard behind my townhouse.