How can I best transform a small fenced yard into a courtyard?

http://www.finegardening.com/seating-areas-made-simple

Start by laying down cardboard over the area, then approximately 3-4 inches of sand, levelled and tamped down (if you want to avoid weeds in the future use polymeric sand) this will give you a good base on which you can use whatever material you like, pavers, flagstone, coloured rock, river rock etc or any combination thereof. As you are on the St Lawrence, flagstone would be a very natural medium to use. If you choose pavers or flagstone, you will need to brush more sand/polymeric sand over the surface once laid to 'set' the stones. You can determine through your local greenhouse what planting zone you are in and landscape around your courtyard using perrenials and shrubs to suit (I was zone 5 when I lived in Quebec, near Cornwall, Ont) additionally, you could get plants/colour through the use of planters...they would mostly be planted with annuals and planting zone space I said less of an issue, lighting conditions would dictate your choice. Good luck and show pictures once finished!

Just remember...no run-off =flooding

Used cardboard than put down mulch and stepping stones.this was a mess after sewer pipes were repaired.

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