My Back Yard Makeover

I live in a townhouse that is blessed with a back yard – it’s not huge but it’s large enough for me and my budding gardening ambitions. I haven’t touched the backyard for a couple of years because I’ve just had other things that were higher on the “to-do” list. But this year I felt the urge to get out there and finally put my stamp on this yard. “English Cottage Garden” was the theme I went with (surprise, surprise). I adore roses so I knew I wanted to plant as many of those as I could and I also wanted to put in some edible plants especially to help teach my daughter how we can grow food to eat. Visually, I wanted to add a little bit of drama and symmetry to the space as well. These were at least some of the ideas in my head and here’s how it came out. There is still work to do adding borders, continuing to grow grass and learning to care for all my new plants but I'm very happy with how it's coming together! You can read more and see more photos on my blog!
This is my townhouse backyard BEFORE...
And here's the AFTER!
I've added Willow Trellis's for interest and structure for my David Austin roses.
Jennifer Carroll
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Kenyetta Kenyetta on Jan 24, 2018

    Hi, Im in a town home also. Ive been looking for a project also. I have a lot of red clay, should I do planter boxes for flowers or mix together soil and clay. Also did you put down grass seed or sod as mine currently looks like your top picture.dry grass. When you layed the rock did you put the black tarp under to keep grass from growing . I want to extend my patio area out toward the right and not sure should I put the tarp and fill in the space with sand. My area is long and narrow so some sun spots some shade . Sorry for all the questions just haven't found anyone who had a town home who could help. Thanks in advance. Email is kengriff@hotmail.com

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  • Jennifer Carroll Jennifer Carroll on Jul 14, 2016
    Thanks so much C! I've sold that house and don't have more photos but it really did mature nicely!! I was sad to leave all that hard work (and my roses!) behind but I will say it helped the value of my house quite a bit!! :-) Now I have to start planting at my new home!
  • Anoli Anoli on Oct 13, 2019

    lovely.. greetings from the Netherlands.. Am a transformer have green fingers too.

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