Comments on: The Long-Term Backyard Plan http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/ A design blog about living a stylish life and transforming the so-so. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:37:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cynthia http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-16825 Cynthia Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:20:54 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-16825 How do you do these nice sketches of your lot? Do you measure the boundaries first, and then draw it to scale? Or is it an estimate? My husband and I bought this old house in a nice neighborhood and completely remodeled the inside. But the outside has really bad curb appeal. The house placement is so odd on the lot that I can't even see how I can make it nice. But again, the neighborhood and surroundings are lovely and the price was right. Now, I'm trying to do some drawings of ideas for the front of the house, including a potential porch, walkway, lighting, etc... but I don't know how to make it to scale which makes it hard to see what it will look like. Just wondering if you could share how you make your lovely drawing plans. I'd like to put together a master plan of what I hope the house can look like and slowly work on bits and pieces as finances and time permits. Thank you! How do you do these nice sketches of your lot? Do you measure the boundaries first, and then draw it to scale? Or is it an estimate? My husband and I bought this old house in a nice neighborhood and completely remodeled the inside. But the outside has really bad curb appeal. The house placement is so odd on the lot that I can’t even see how I can make it nice. But again, the neighborhood and surroundings are lovely and the price was right. Now, I’m trying to do some drawings of ideas for the front of the house, including a potential porch, walkway, lighting, etc… but I don’t know how to make it to scale which makes it hard to see what it will look like. Just wondering if you could share how you make your lovely drawing plans. I’d like to put together a master plan of what I hope the house can look like and slowly work on bits and pieces as finances and time permits. Thank you!

]]> By: Leah http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-8084 Leah Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:45:17 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-8084 I agree with Lora. We went to a landscaping company and their landscape architect drew up plans for our front yard for FREE! We just bought some stone from them. His drawings were frame-worthy and he gave suggestions I hadn't thought of. He focused on the non-fun stuff like drainage and soil temperature. I tend to forget that stuff, my mind going soley toward, color, texture, form. Lu-huv the red-bud. they self-sow here in Iowa. giving you free baby trees. bonus! I agree with Lora.
We went to a landscaping company and their landscape architect drew up plans for our front yard for FREE! We just bought some stone from them. His drawings were frame-worthy and he gave suggestions I hadn’t thought of. He focused on the non-fun stuff like drainage and soil temperature. I tend to forget that stuff, my mind going soley toward, color, texture, form.
Lu-huv the red-bud. they self-sow here in Iowa. giving you free baby trees. bonus!

]]> By: Darren http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-8008 Darren Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:48:51 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-8008 Love the tree Nicole and the whole plan, We have been working on the yard here...very slowly and you inspired me to make the plan a bit more concrete...because we are in Australia and the water restrictions mean we cant water at all unless it is with rain water, so we are planting all natives...besides being water friendly we have so many types of birds in the yard it fantastic. I cant wait to see your finished garden...and what happened with your stair case? I cant wait to see that too!!! Love the tree Nicole and the whole plan, We have been working on the yard here…very slowly and you inspired me to make the plan a bit more concrete…because we are in Australia and the water restrictions mean we cant water at all unless it is with rain water, so we are planting all natives…besides being water friendly we have so many types of birds in the yard it fantastic.

I cant wait to see your finished garden…and what happened with your stair case? I cant wait to see that too!!!

]]> By: Making it Lovely http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7972 Making it Lovely Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:02:20 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-7972 <p>Liz, I used Illustrator for the cleaned up sketch. </p> <p>Murray is indeed killing the grass. He tends to go in the area right at the base of the stairs. We don't really have <em>grass</em> in the backyard though… It's about 50 percent actual grass and 50 percent green groundcover weeds that give the <em>appearance</em> of grass.</p> <p>I have been having the nursery help me a lot. I like researching things myself though and trying to figure out what to put where – I've really been enjoying the planning process.</p> Liz, I used Illustrator for the cleaned up sketch.

Murray is indeed killing the grass. He tends to go in the area right at the base of the stairs. We don’t really have grass in the backyard though… It’s about 50 percent actual grass and 50 percent green groundcover weeds that give the appearance of grass.

I have been having the nursery help me a lot. I like researching things myself though and trying to figure out what to put where – I’ve really been enjoying the planning process.

]]> By: michelle http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7970 michelle Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:44:25 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-7970 erin, there are products like these supplements: http://www.terrificpets.com/pet_supplies/dog/travel-outdoors/lawn-care/ that are supposed to eliminate the problem of dog urine turning the grass yellow. I haven't tried any yet so I can't speak to thier effectiveness. erin, there are products like these supplements: http://www.terrificpets.com/pet_supplies/dog/travel-outdoors/lawn-care/ that are supposed to eliminate the problem of dog urine turning the grass yellow. I haven’t tried any yet so I can’t speak to thier effectiveness.

]]> By: patricia http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7968 patricia Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:15:38 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-7968 Planting a tree is a wonderful way to earmark a time. When my brother was little my parents planted a "Blue Spruce" and now that tree towers over him. It is amazing to see all the changes of the seasons and the years. Love you sketch, looks like a soothing oasis. Planting a tree is a wonderful way to earmark a time. When my brother was little my parents planted a “Blue Spruce” and now that tree towers over him. It is amazing to see all the changes of the seasons and the years.
Love you sketch, looks like a soothing oasis.

]]> By: M&Co http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7966 M&Co Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:23:30 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-7966 Beautiful garden plan, and what a cute husband to buy you that tree!! Beautiful garden plan, and what a cute husband to buy you that tree!!

]]> By: Erin http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7965 Erin Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:04:00 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-7965 I love the Eastern Redbud. Question: Does Murray, um...eliminate in the grass or do you have a special spot that he goes? We've been struggling with keeping our lawn looking good because our two dogs are creating dead spots because of where they...go. Does anyone have any good ideas? I love the Eastern Redbud. Question: Does Murray, um…eliminate in the grass or do you have a special spot that he goes? We’ve been struggling with keeping our lawn looking good because our two dogs are creating dead spots because of where they…go. Does anyone have any good ideas?

]]> By: elizabeth http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7964 elizabeth Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:09:57 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-7964 Talk to the tree guy at the nursery and ask him when the optimum time for planting your tree is. Most trees do best if you plant the root ball in the fall. If you can wait it also means the nursery can be the one watering, what could be depending on your weather, multiple times in a day. Talk to the tree guy at the nursery and ask him when the optimum time for planting your tree is. Most trees do best if you plant the root ball in the fall. If you can wait it also means the nursery can be the one watering, what could be depending on your weather, multiple times in a day.

]]> By: Jennifer http://makingitlovely.com/2008/08/06/the-long-term-backyard-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-7963 Jennifer Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:50:00 +0000 http://makingitlovely.com/?p=706#comment-7963 Lora has a great suggestion. My parents did the same thing when they moved into a new house several years ago. The nursery gave them credit in the amount that the landscaping plan cost. Lora has a great suggestion. My parents did the same thing when they moved into a new house several years ago. The nursery gave them credit in the amount that the landscaping plan cost.

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