I need to make over my backyard into an oasis where my family can have fun.
by
JULIET
+44
Can anyone give some ideas, since florida is mostly warm through the year it would be nice to have a nice backyard to relax and enjoy the outdoor
45 answers
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Hi Juliet, If it weren't for those pesky fire ants, I would say a sand box, but maybe a small swing set? How big is the yard? From the picture it looks short but wide? Perhaps a small in ground pool? Or maybe one of those exercise pools, that doubles as a jacuzzi?
Dan's of Central Florida, Inc.
on Oct 17, 2011
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I dont have any small children so a sand box would not be needed. I was looking for something where my husband and I can enjoy and extended families. pool is not in my budget
JULIET
on Oct 17, 2011
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
JULIET
on Oct 17, 2011
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Hi Juliet! Yes, your backyard can be so beautiul! I would add 2 shade trees and have large scalloped beds along the peremeter of the yard. Taller shrubs in the back,and shorter shrubs in the front. I would mix in a few of your favorite fruit trees and to conserve space maybe a grafted cocktail tree with 5 kinds of citrus. These can be ordered from our nursery. Also, Im a big believer in privacy so selected shrubs can be allowed to grow taller to block out homes as well as sound. i would use a very small amount of grass in the center or expand a patio or if budget is a concern just mulch in the center with an umbrella table.Fruit, butterfly plants, fragrance,and a small water feature and you will have your very own private resort.
Garden Rebel / Sims Landscaping, Co.
on Oct 17, 2011
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
JULIET
on Oct 17, 2011
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Very nice Belle...How about a Pergola Juliet!? Some even drape with sheer fabrics to obscure the direct sun! Let us know! JL
JL Spring & Associates
on Oct 17, 2011
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I was thinking about a Pergola and extend it from my patio. I also like Belle's idea about the seating area with stone and plants. very nice ideas thanks everyone
JULIET
on Oct 17, 2011
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I will welcome any other ideas out there
JULIET
on Oct 17, 2011
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Juliet, Pergalos, trellises and arbors are all great ideas for Florida. When instaalled correctly, they give great shade in the hot summer afternoons, but still allow for the breeze and natural light for a relaxing afternoon spot. Good Luck
Courtier Construction
on Oct 17, 2011
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Belle. that photo looks so relaxing, they did a great job and it is very low maintenance.
Garden Rebel / Sims Landscaping, Co.
on Oct 18, 2011
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Juliet, here are some photos from a relaxing area I created in my backyard. I purchased the chaises on Craigslist for 20 bucks each and had my local patio furniture place make new slings for them. And the area is simply mulched because that's all the budget would allow. A small fountain helps the cares of the day float away.
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 18, 2011
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We did this to our back yard but the cost wasn't too bad because my wife and I both did this project.
Frank C
on Oct 18, 2011
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This is what finally came out after we finished. Most of the expence was getting out the trees. Total was 3000.00
Frank C
on Oct 18, 2011
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I would start with the patio area, when a customer is looking for areas to spend time and relax the patio is the first thing in one of my designs, we do a lot of paver patios, if you have room 300 sq. ft. is the smallest that will give you the room you will need then comes the correct shade for the area and customer, many times I will use Queen Palms ( 4-5 of them) they are places around the patio, this will give the shade needed, then comes the center piece,s and shrubs. A great landscape design will give the outdoor area you are looking for and be low maintenance, it is all in the proper plants in the proper place. hers a link to a utube video we did that will take you through a landscaping project with patios landscaping, it could give you some ideas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2235n5AmUg
Hoffner Nursery & Landscaping
on Oct 18, 2011
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Here are some more
Frank C
on Oct 18, 2011
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Juliet, If you want to create a simple water garden in a pot check out my post http://www.ericaglasener.com/articles/create-a-water-garden-in-a-pot
Erica Glasener
on Oct 18, 2011
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@ Frank C- The UGA cover on the grill is the finishing touch! You did a wonderful job on your back yard. Kudos!
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Oct 18, 2011
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Douglas your backyard looks amazing, thats exactly what I am looking for with a little more shade. koodos to you I will use your design along with others to make my unique design.
JULIET
on Oct 18, 2011
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Erica great ideas , Frank your yard looks nice overall everyone did a very nice job with their yards. Kudos!
JULIET
on Oct 18, 2011
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Let us know how it turns out Juliet.
Erica Glasener
on Oct 18, 2011
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I will let everyone know how it turns out
JULIET
on Oct 18, 2011
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Good luck with your project, Juliet. Post some pictures when you're done!
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 19, 2011
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Lets us know how it turns out, I would love to see how it comes out too. Good Luck
Frank C
on Oct 20, 2011
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Do a patio, with a Pergola as JL suggested. Make some planted beds around it. I've said this before on Hometalk, make your patio is twice as big at you 'think' you need; trust me. You can mark it out, but once you actually did out the grass, it wil look much smaller. You will need room for the furniture, plus room around them, for extra chairs for parties, and grill space if needed. Think about how the sun travels, and observe shade patterns, and where the Pergola would be most effective for shade. Leave openings to get from patio to other parts of the yard. Get the furniture first, or borrow it from neighbor, and lay it out in the area to give you a better idea. I always suggest patios as they are much less maintence then wood decks. Plus if you want it bigger later on, it's fairly easy to add on to it.
Clay B
on Oct 20, 2011
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You could create a whole area around a fire pit, I have seen this done and it is a usable space year round that provides lots of fun at night too!
Terry Haas
on Oct 20, 2011
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or you could cover your back yard up with pavers for extreme back yard social area as this customer requested...1800 sq ft. She had a river going through the back yard down the middle. They had built a platform deck on the far side near the fence to gain some entertainment space, but it was not enough. She wanted it all covered! We had to install a rather large drain pipe underneath to ensure that all the water would be caught.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Oct 20, 2011
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WOW, them folks hate to mow!
JL Spring & Associates
on Oct 20, 2011
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Why have a back yard when you can have a basketball court?
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 21, 2011
- See 1 previous
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The Gray rounded area? Is that for the Heli-Pad....LOL Great job Four Seasons. Bet that took a few days. LOL @ Doug and JL.
Frank C
on Oct 21, 2011
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lol...bottom line- we aim to please the client.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Oct 21, 2011
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That is indeed the bottom line.
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 22, 2011
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Draw out, measure, find out your zone and go to your local nursery and ask for help. Buy lots of gardening/outdoor area books, or get free from library. List the activities you want to do out there and go for it. Do one project at a time. Hard scape, patio areas, stonework, add florals and decor around that. Take lots of pictures and take your time, it's a never ending process.
Faidra at CA Global Inc
on Oct 23, 2011
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I guess maybe if they do a ton of outdoor entertaining with dancing or something...otherwise, not sure I get it?
HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC
on Oct 23, 2011
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That is beautiful, Belle. What a wonderful space to experience in person.
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 26, 2011
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That is a very nice back yard!
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Oct 26, 2011
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Very nice indeed, Belle.Did they do the work themselves???
Frank C
on Oct 27, 2011
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And the result is good advertising for that pro!
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 28, 2011
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How is the Behr Deckover holding up?
Gerie Elliott
on May 15, 2013
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it is a great yard to make an oasis. 1st i would make it more private , like either planting tall bushes or trees along the perimeter..or make yer own privacy fence with old doors or whatever catches yer eyes. 2nd, i would start on the sitting area, u can make the "flooring" yourself out of all kinds of diff, materials, then work on the seating, and of coarse...add plants and flowers and yard art. keep us posted on what u do do. :-)
Marcella Hazelwood
on Aug 21, 2014
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I like all the suggestions and look forward to seeing what you decide. From all the HGTV I watch(I'm an addict) I think you need to first figure out what activities you want to take place in the yard, as they each need a 'room' or space.- visiting/socializing, cooking/eating, kids playing, sprinklers, or what?Then spend your time , energy and money on one activity/room at a timeMaybe in a few years, if the budget allows, you can have it done.
Polly Zieper
on Aug 28, 2014
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Can you afford a canopy or awning? I know here in s FL, our back porch and yard are not usable much of the year without some shade.
Polly Zieper
on Aug 28, 2014
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living in south florida i am well aware of our hurricane issues as well as extreme heat and fire ants....one of the best pergolas i have found is pergola joe's and these are hurricane rated do it yourself kits many different styles available, by mistake i have found that LP tank firepits draws biting noseeums so i won't do that again, best deal on curtains i found were through IKEA and they have a sheer panel that can be ordered online for a couple bucks a panel...i bought 20, figuring when they get mildewed i will just pull them down and put up new not wanting to splurge for outdoor drapes as they are so $$$, if you think about where you get any natural shade from your home or where you want to place your shade structure, plan your walkways and perhaps a small waterfeature to drown out the noise of the neighbors a few plants in pots and a few planted around the perimeter of your fence for privacy and i think you are set....my tropical landscape here near Ft Myers is ever evolving....it takes times to get things the way i like them and sometimes mother nature takes its own toll on things and plants must be relocated or die out....even with years of experience its still fun to learn and see each day what is going on out in the garden...best of luck to you, you have a clean slate and can do what you want, Saturdays on HGTV and DIYTV are great for landscaping ideas as well as their websites, i'll be watching for your updates, i am excited to see what you decide to do, check out Pergola Joes...you will love it !!!!
Jean
on Aug 29, 2014
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Perennials and flowers for your area help give beauty and privacy. Put taller items by the fence and medium plants in the middle with small flowers in front. A brick paver patio with patio stones going to your shed and around to the front would look nice. The great thing with landscaping is it can be done as you can afford it. Farmers markets are a great place to get affordable quality plants. We sold our home, by the time we sold I had added 5,000 perennials and bulbs that return every year. I took what I would put into annuals and invested it into bulbs etc. holland bulb company has great products at a fair price. They give you which zones the bulbs are good for. I don't recommend buying perennials on line. I did that too with many not making it out of the gate. Glow in the dark paint can be bought and you can line a walk way to add evening interest.
Ros577080
on Oct 03, 2014
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Beautiful backyard which you have shared with us. Nice tips.You can turn your yard into beautiful retreat by having a beautiful flower thatadds an exquisite feature to your yard and can give a fresh look to your home landscape.
Monday West
on Oct 12, 2014
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The surrounding fence would be a lovely trellis for vines, like honeysuckle, grapes, passionvine, etc. The honeysuckle would also attract hummingbirds. They grow fast and you could still plant trees which takes years to create a bit of privacy. As far as the top, a fabric shadecloth might be pretty.
Connie
on Nov 19, 2014
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