Need ideas for makeover of small backyard area

Question

I’m looking for some advice I have this small dirt area in my back yard behind the clothesline next to the cubby house that could really do with a make over.

I been trying to think of ideas as you can see from the pictures there are a lot of weeds as well that keep popping up from time to time that are annoying and pain to maintain we would like the area to look  some what nicer then the weeds.

So if we could get some help on this that would be great.

Thanks.

Dave-1 · Answer

Good Evening @EmmayatesDIY

And my apologies for missing your post as well :/

The first thought that went through my head was digging out that dead stone laden clay/soil you have and replacing with some topsoil and grass (It feels like the area needs a softness to it) Yes you will have to maintain the area but a cheap electric whipper snipper will handle it ok.

I was also thinking of high thin pots, 3 or 4 of them along the fence line. With some posts into the grand and a bracket facing into the yard at the top (looks like a hangman post) these are to carry vines and also fairy lights if you want.. The tall thin styled pots re to give height and extend the area for your eyes.

Vines, I was thinking grape vines more than passionfruit or you could go with a mix of rose styled vines and something else.

String wire between the posts and the arms of them so you can train the vines, also you could add some extra brackets to either side of a post to carry pot plants. I do think it would be worth the effort to get some hardy grass down for the area.

Painting the cubby house, even giving the inside a makeover would really lift the whole yard :) (For some reason I can see a rooster wind van on top of the cubby house)

Whoops one last thing you could use the posts for (always like multipurpose infrastructure) is for some water misters for the summer peak.

Dave

EricL · Answer

Hello @EmmayatesDIY

My apologies for the late reply. Nothing compares to a blank canvas, it can be a small vegetable garden, it can be a small relaxation area, and you also have the option of just keeping it simple with pavers or turf. I'm not sure how much sun gets into this area, but it will dictate the type of plants you can put in there. Poor sunlight means you'll need to look for shade tolerant plants, if you are after something that does not require a great deal of watering you can get draught tolerant plants.

To change the look and feel of your backyard garden, I suggest covering the Colorbond fence with some bamboo slat fence covering to soften the look and feel of the fence. I recommend installing a raised garden bed to create a border that will display the plants and not get accidentally run over. I propose installing wall hanging plants to add even more greenery in the space. You even put in a

https://www.bunnings.com.au/mimosa-450-x-465mm-green-low-smoke-fire-pit_p1018372

which is a small compact fire pit. Add in some compact wicker seats and you have yourself a nice easy space to relax in.

Should the budget allow it, I propose paving the floor and re-staining the cubby house/shed.

Here are some discussions of proposed garden makeovers we've recently answered:

* How to design native garden bed? by @GivingItAGo 
* Need garden ideas for small side yards by @harlyr 
* How to improve look of new timber fence? by @Rachel46 
* How to landscape new build house? by @louiselily

Let me call on our experienced members @mich1972, @myprojectresto, @Graeme50, @Gerber, @jh27, @Dave-1 and @KoalaRetreat_21 for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Jason · Answer

Hi @EmmayatesDIY,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Our apologies, it looks like the team might have missed your question during a relatively busy weekend.

Before they get back to you, could you please clarify how you might like to use this space? I think it's always the most important first step in a project like this. The guide How to plan a garden makeover might assist you.

It would also be helpful to know where you are based and whether this area gets sunlight and how much.

Thanks,

Jason