First time home owner - front yard update

Ashleigh
by Ashleigh
This past winter I purchased my first home and unfortunately gave up a beautiful yard in exchange for bigger bedrooms. This is the front of my home, I HATE the pine straw half dead Bush look. I plan to rake up all the pine needles and toss them and then would like to do an outline with cement bricks and a small garden out front. I need tips where to start what flowers to plant etc. it’s shades all day basically. Any tips for a new first timer to get an inexpensive pretty front yard is greatly appreciated !! i would like to go around the mailbox and tree as well and there is also a small Bush on the other side of the garage that needs updated. any links to other DIYs or just comments would help!
  6 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 20, 2018

    start by discarding what you do not like.Browsw through here for a wall sign,once you have chosen and but it ,search native plantings for NC.https://www.pinterest.com/wwwdreamyardcom/retaining-wall-ideas/?lp=true

  • I picked up a cute lil bird bath at Wal-Mart for 15 bucks

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Apr 20, 2018

    Your location is not shown. Google your town along with "growing zone" to find out what flowers, etc. are native to your area. USE THOSE! Don't waste your time or money on things that won't do well. Do things step by step - using perennials will let you continue to fill in your garden. Look at other gardens you like before just "digging in". Have fun!

  • Congratulations on your first home! There are always compromises to be made, but I think you did the right thing for your first home.


    If it were me I would take all the bedding plants out and start fresh. The pine and straw was probably placed there as mulch over the winter to protect the plants. Get a good mower and edger to tidy that bit up. Next choose some edging for the beds and tree. Will give it a tidied appearance and make it easier to mow too.


    Hostas will do great in the shade, but you will need other plants for height, color and texture. Other Hometalkers can provide suggestions, but if you really get stuck, call B, B. Barnes (Asheville/Arden), or Jesse Israel (Asheville), to have them recommend someone in your area.


    https://bbbarns.com/


    https://www.jesseisraelandsons.com/


    Lastly, peruse Pinterest for ideas for a small front yard, you will find tons of ideas to incorporate when funds allow.


    And have fun! 🌞

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Apr 20, 2018

    Yes, rake everything up and get rid of it. Then decide where you want to put your gardens. You can use different color spray paint on the lawn areas to help you figure out a design. You can tear everything out and start completely over, or leave things you like and work around them. Start with some shrubs. I like a mix of evergreen and flowering shrubs. After you buy them, don't plant them that day unless you're positive you know where you want them. Move and adjust them until you get the look you want. Plant annuals this year. That way you have time to decide on perennials. As for the bricks, I would use garden blocks. Make sure to build up the garden near the house and slope the ground away from the house. Take your time and work in stages. Don't try to do everything at once. Go to you local nursery and look around. Talk to the people who work there about the plants you like. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy the process. Good luck in your new home.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Apr 20, 2018

    Unless you are familiar with gardening, I'd start with a small garden area and as you find you have more time, enlarge it. Every garden needs upkeep. Since this your first home, you may not have your time management down yet.

    Go to your local plant nursery. Not a gardening center in a big box store. The people in a gardening nursery know their plants and what grows in your area and soil in the shade. I'd use shade loving shrubs with variegated colored leaves in the background and annuals at the edge of the garden.