Shade backyard

Question

I have a backyard that has a lot of trees & shade. I want to make it look nice with plants but only do it one section at a time. I had back surgery last year so this will be a slow process. I realize I have to clean this up but here is a beginning picture of this area. Any ideas?

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

I would cleanup the whole yard first. Pick one area you can see from your kitchen window or other window you always look out. Then work on that. It makes for happy if you have at least one pretty area to see. My yard had been 6 years in the making with the last 3 1/2 with physical limitations myself. Do not plant subverting may because someone gave it to you and do not plant anything invasive! They're is not enough time in the day to control it. Check out my profile for some pics. Especially my view our the kitchen window

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Loretta Draper first figure out how you want to use the space. Do you want a sitting area in the space? Sometimes nice to a little peaceful nook by the garden. If so then plan where it would be and how it would be accessed. As for plants google shade plants for your zone and it will come up with a list with pics and you can choose what you like or would like to try.
Once you plant an area it is a good idea to finish with some thick finely shredded mulch around the plants to cut down on the weeds and make the maintenance easier. You will have to add some each year - would start with 2 inches the first year and then add an inch each year. The fine stuff will decompose gradually.
You can even organize you clean up by which area you want to start with. Making a sitting area doesn't have to be labourous you can do that by leveling out the area and could be filled with pea gravel or wood chips. I sure hope you post update pics, would love to see the results which could take a few years. Good luck and thanks for posing the question.

Loretta Draper · Answer

I will take pictures of the progress that I make & post them. Thank you for the information.

Charlene S · Answer

Paint the side of the shed a pretty pastel color and plant a climbing vine in the middle. Stain the fence and plant a shade grass in the yard. Not a lot of work and quick results for beauty. Continue with shade gardens and mulch. If you mulch around your tree it will dress that up as well. Good luck and enjoy.

Roberta Eagleston · Answer

If that is a gate at the fence, use pavers or stepping stones as walkway with space between them and the shed.  Against the shed plant hostas and use mulch. They love shade and there are several varieties.

Teresa · Answer

I seen the building with all reclaimed wood around it for siding and then old signs put on top of that I don't know if that's your kind of style but I love that

Carole Pearson Watts · Answer

Yes I would clean it up first. Paint the wood..
Take one area at a time. Use pots for planting it easy with your back. Using mulch is also a great idea with stepping stones so you don't carry the mulch on your shoes. Go to yard sales to find pots or anything you need.

Nancy Bench · Answer

SO much potential out there. Have fun with it!

Leona G · Answer

Good luck with your project. I would say you need to decide what you want to use it for. Also having had back surgery you will probably want low maintenance. The UF has a lot of good info on plant selection at edis.ifas.ufl.edu Also Florida Friendly has it's own website fyn.ifas.ufl.edu Hope these sites help. I don't know if you extension office has a garden area but you might want to visit it and other public gardens in you area for more ideas

Patty · Answer

Make sure you prepare your flower beds the right way before you start planting, if you don't you are just setting yourself up for failure. Be patient, that is so important. What kind of soil do you have? Sandy or clay. Take your water hose and use it to design your first bed, since it is so late in the season I would then lay cardboard and/or newspaper down covering the whole area, that will kill all the weeds so come spring you can add compost and soil and peat moss as needed. Just remember you don't want to build soil up around your trees, After you plant you can then mulch, and remember to keep the mulch pulled back from the plant stems and the trees. When buying plants you will want to stick with native plants, your area has so many beautiful native plants. Go to a nursery that really knows the native plants and is willing to spend time with you selecting plants. Also go on line to some of the seed and plant catalogs and look at the shade flowers and they will tell you which ones will do well in your area. Sometimes ordering from the catalogs when just starting out is the best way to go if you don't have a lot of money to spend. Also be careful you don't want to plant invasive plants, if you don't know if a plant is invasive ask someone who knows. Good luck and keep us posted, I know it will be beautiful, I love shade gardens, they are so peaceful and look and feel cool in the summer. Help answer this question...

Loretta Draper · Answer

Thank you all for your fabulous ideas! I've been in this house since 1993 with not a lot of time to do anything. Now that I have time, I have to take care of my back.  My Grandson (Stephen) visits us a lot and does most of the heavy work me which helps a lot. I'll try to remember to post pictures. Please keep the ideas coming.

MaeGatineau · Answer

i would like a table built around the tree with a bench and some hanging baskets from the shed to cheer it up for a start

MaeGatineau · Answer

and paint the fence and shed a nice bright color

Becky · Answer

start with a clean yard then the ideas will flourish

Heidi · Answer

Paint the side of the shed in a soft, light colour and grow a shade-loving honeysuckle up and over it. You will have leaves all year round and flowers for 8 months of the year. A mahonia will love that shady area and give you evergreen leaves and flowers for weeks x

Logan wilhelm · Answer

With all the ideas here, can't wait to see what you do. Could be a very nice area to relax in and enjoy.

Sarah Tabor · Answer

Look up Funky Junk and look at her shed

Helen · Answer

If you've got back issues, seriously consider raised flower beds....then the sides can also be painted with a light colour.

Barbara · Answer

Great patio area next to shed.

CK · Answer

Too bad I'm here in ND. I'd love to help you make a beautiful shade garden. However, it does look like you have a wonderful area to work with. Maybe you can design your ideas on paper and get a friend or neighbor to help implement them. Then when your back is healed you can continue to work on special areas and enjoy the fruits of your labor and your helper's. Prayers for your back to heal well Loretta.

Songhope · Answer

I have a big shade area against my garage. I put in a 'landing pad' with 2' X 2' pavers from the local home improvement store and purchased several large pots over time. With the largest shade plants and ferns (be sure to check the Mature Height & Width on the tags) I made a shade garden. Hosta, Astilbe, Southern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris- not the other more delicate one). I'd start with some lovely decorative tall, shade plant back in the corner and sprawl out from both sides. Make an easy stone path up the middle that curves around, not straight. Never straight paths! :) Go to your garden center or nursery and ask for shade only, plants. I now have 6 different ferns, a variety of Hosta, and several other things back there. Everyone loves it! Takes a few years to fill in and . And wait for new varieties to come out, since nursery growers change it up every few years and offer things they didn't in previous years.

Crystal Main · Answer

Pergola

Eileen · Answer

a few shade loving shrubs and bushes would enhance your space without needing a lot of maintenance. Persian lilac, fringe-flower, viburnium (be sure it is one of the shade loving varieties) These pack a lot of visual impact without much trouble.

Kim Smith · Answer

I think you should check all around for poison ivy and poison sumac. Get that removed, if any. Then just clean and rake all around to make sure that all the area is clear from 'stuff'...like old junk, lost rakes, big rocks, etc. Meanwhile be collecting old cardboard boxes, as many as you can. Someone can rake for you etc. Flatten out all the cardboard and lay it all over the total ground area. Put a heavy rock, long piece of lumber on edges to make sure it won't blow away. Then sit in your easy chair and water it down. Do this every other day or so. That tree will lose leaves ( will it in Florida?) soon and cover all the cardboard. Just let this happen. Water it down every so often. If something starts to grow thru a crack, put more cardboard down and wet it thoroughly. Come spring, the cardboard will have rotted along with the leaves, maybe get a little mulch or topsoil delivered to spread. Delegate! And you should have a nice shade garden . Start with what you can handle. Small pots. A hosta or two in the ground. Japanese painted fern, and heuchera go good together. Any weeds come up, smother with cardboard again. Should be ship shape soon! ( I have used the Cardboard Smother technique many times.)

Rosanne · Answer

I'd even try some troughs or raised beds with edibles like shade loving lettuces

Charlotte Belange · Answer

If you have a lot of trees see if you can have some removed and get paid to do this.
Look in your paper for adds or just ask around. Good Luck Char B YELM,WA

Centrd · Answer

you could make that wall a great focal point with nice paint, shutters, outdoor artwork, hanging plants, a fountain. a potting bench, etc. You could get an old window with panes and put mirror behind it instead of glass to create a window effect on the wall and also reflect back more light. Since it's shady, you need to create points of visual interest. White flowers are spectacular in a shade garden. As well as layered shades of light & bright greens. Or you could go with bold paint and accessories and create a whimsical space. If this is on the north side of your house, you'll have extra challenges because for some reason, people are not naturally drawn to the north side of a structure...but it definitely does not mean you can't make it lovely and inviting. Every yard has its challenges. I can't find them now, but I've seen shady yards similar to yours where they've turned the wall into a stunning backdrop for a wonderful place to hang out. Have fun!

Katharine S · Answer

I have a shade garden too and just looked at Pinterest for ideas. Here is the link: http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=shade%20gardens%20ideas&rs=ac&len=13 I like the idea of a sitting area in the shade. My whole garden has huge trees and very few sun loving plants. As much as I love the shade I wish I had less of it in areas.

Susan Benjamin · Answer

Take it slow is right..ask for help..declutter all debris..eavestrough on shed should be installed..paint wall of shed a nice cheerful sunny yellow..build a plant\workbench..rake area..check soil..thats where it starts..nice glide swing or comfy chairs..happy gardening

Jean DeSavage · Answer

For help with your gardening because of your back, check with your area's Master Gardener program. Most of those programs make the students do volunteer work. Maybe they could help you do your garden. If nothing else they could give you ideas of what will work in Jacksonville.

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