Backyard Landscape Nightmare

Grass is going to be hard in that garden nj so have you thought of bark chippings, I don't know how to include photos like you've done so I'll just have to link it http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gardenaid.co.uk/gareths%25204.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gardenaid.co.uk/small.html&h=288&w=384&sz=38&hl=en&start=5&tbnid=wncgxr3t_siglM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbark%2Bchippings%2Bgardens%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

once you've got the chippings down the addition of a log path, the inclusion of plenty of tubs with your favourite shrubs/flowers, a nice table and chairs etc in will make it colourful and 'gardeny' and bark chippings are low maintenance

Only $1000 ??!!!

Yikes!

That barely covers your patio furniture, let alone plantings and structures.

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If I were you, I'd approach it on a step by step basis. In other words, instead of trying to do the WHOLE yard for $1000, I'd spend $1000 on something really meaningful in the backyard -- something that would dramatically improve the whole flavor and usefulness of the place.

And then, when everyone is thrilled, and when they've recovered from the first expense, I'd "sell" them on the NEXT project.

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In this yard, I'd forget about "doing" the perimeter at this time. Instead, I'd concentrate on the pool area.

I don't know the general layout of the yard, but it seems to me that the "edge" of the concrete is a bit abrupt. What I would do is create a decorative "edge" to the pool area -- a small wall (added bonus is that a small walls serves as extra seating if you're throwing a big party), or maybe brick or stone edge around the concrete, or flower beds or cypress trees or something of that nature. Something to define the pool area.

Fake white wood fencing is GREAT because you don't have to paint it -- yay!!

You could even "checkerboard" stuff around the patio perimeter --

- 4' of fence -- tree or stone bench -- 4' of fence -- tree or stone bench etc.

If you're feeling artsy, concrete can be painted. This dramatically improves the appearance of concrete. A nice peachy color would be nice. You can also create borders, outlines, paint fake bricks, etc. etc. Maybe even create a "hollywood" walk of fame with your favorite penii from LPSG... (just kidding!)

Meantime, I'd scour the Recycler, estate sales, and yard sales for new patio furniture. $50 of paint (spray enamel) can give even ratty stuff a brand new lease on life.

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When you're on that limited a budget, there's no way you can do a whole yard. The improvements would make very little impact.

But if you focus on the pool area, you might get somewhere with the money.

Good luck!

Re concentrating on the pool area: Think "oasis". It doesn't have to be Sahara like -- but it CAN be the "jewel" of the backyard, whatever style you decide to do it in (miama vice, sahara, Las Vegas, english country, whatever)

I like "hidden" yards as well for the privacy. I picked the lot I own specifically because of its privacy. And, yes, I do go nude frequently in my hot tub.

Njqut, your parents' yard has got a hell of a lot of room but, regrettably, not much privacy. Frankly, its going to take a lot of money and/or sweat equity to adorn it with anything other than grass.

I haven't sunk a lot of money into my yard but I have done a lot of work on it. I purchased and planted rows of arbor vitae, planted lawn, edged it with bricks, used gravel as a ground cover. Pretty standard stuff. Its not breathtakingly creative but it wasn't expensive either. And it doesn't require a lot of maintenance because I enjoy doing things like hiking on most of my weekends rather than extensive yard work.

I agree with the idea of starting around the pool area. Any screens or plants that would create privacy there would help.

Just my .02. Good luck.

I agree $1,000 is not going to go far with that big a yard. If you have friends who are handy and wouldn't mind helping out some kind of structure would look nice, like an arbor.
Planted with roses and clematis would be beautiful. If you go with the old garden roses they aren't as picky as the new hybrids. Clematis are not difficult either if you plant them deep. Even with water restrictions, once they are established they do fine. I'm a fan of vertical structures, can you tell?
Garden rooms are also nice and can give some sense of privacy. They can be as simple as planting a few shrubs and tall grass or putting up a screen/lattice and planting vines on it. Beware of grasses though, make sure you don't get anything that spreads! You can get a lot of good ideas on the BHG or any of the gardening magazine web sites.
As for your soil, think compost, compost,compost!!! Buying bags of garden soil or potting soil is not a good thing they are expensive and don't do well. Around here we can buy a pickup load of compost from the electric company for $5, it will help your soil a lot. So check with them, they might even deliver.
Another money saver is if you or your Mom have friends who garden most of them don't mind giving starts of their plants. Universities sometimes have plant sales, plants can be expensive so check around. Do your homework on what will grow in your soil and climate.
Some no fail perennials for me are Daylily, Stokesia, Rudbeckia and Penstemon. Perennials are great but a few annuals will give you color all year too and perennials also take a few years to get established and fill in their spot. Some annuals will reseed which can be a plus.
Container gardening is great too but involves a lot of watering.
Whatever you do it takes a lot of time and work initially but it's worth the effort in the end. Good Luck!

In California, many counties offer free trees for residential planting. Have you tried contacting the city government to find out if they have free shrubs, trees, or plants?

Most plants can be grown from seed at home and then planted. I buy seeds from Burpees, but Target usually has a good selection as well. Be careful with daisies, though. They grow like weeds.

If I may suggest, please purchase a few composters (these may be free or discounted from the city) and plant a veggie garden if you're feeling "green".

Sorry, nj, no help from me. I bought a townhouse to avoid exactly these types of entanglements! I can barely keep my houseplants alive.

Hi NJQT: I couldn't tell you how to do the entire yard, but I can offer a few ideas that worked for me. I love gardening. My tree roses are my favorite, but they are a lot of work. Here are some plants that thrive with little to no maintenance.

TREES AND SHRUBS
Mimosa trees (20')- there was a huge one in the center of our front lawn in NJ where I grew up. They have pink and white flowers in June.
Star Jasmine (10' - 12') - I bought 2 of them 5 years ago and put them on a trellis in front of my bathroom window for privacy. They smell great and are full and green all year. They flower just about all year, yet more heavily in the warmer months. They would fill in nicely along the fence at the back of the yard.
Salvia aka Mexican Sage (5' - 6') - Olive green leaves with huge vivid purple spears. Blooms year round in cycles. This is a perennial that will live for years. Just cut off the spent flowers for quicker repeat.
Europys aka Australian Daisy (3' - 5') - Bushy green plants with yellow daisies with darker yellow centers. Once established, needs very little water. Needs very little care, but will repeat faster if spent blooms are removed.
ANNUAL FLOWERS
Marigolds - great bold color from March until November. Keep the snails away, otherwise no problems
Nasturtiums - my neighbor gave me 3 plants a few years ago. They are all over my garden now. They grow as a perennial in California. Generally, they are 12" -18"; mine are 2' - 3'. They must like my soil.
Allysum - a great border flower. Full white, yellow or lavender flowers that grow 8" - 10".

These are the first ideas that I came up with. It helps to work the soil before you plant so your investment will grow well for years. Good luck with the project!