DIY Network

Site Assessment and Layout Site Assessment and Layout From "Weekend Gardening" episode WKG-302

Don’t let your neighbors keep you from enjoying your yard! In this episode of Weekend Gardening, host Maureen Gilmer gives friendly garden solutions to help privatize your property. Learn how to turn an overgrown backyard into a beautiful sanctuary.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

A lot of homeowners don’t enjoy spending time outdoors because neighbors can watch their every move (figure A). You could build ugly concrete walls to keep the peering eyes out, but why not create a beautiful garden that obscures the view from the neighboring homes?

In this episode, plants that are well suited for the southern region of the United States will be used (figure B). When Maureen is finished, an old southern hideaway will be created.

This project will take about 14 hours over the course of a weekend. It's rated a level 3, for intermediate gardeners.

The best place to start is with computer software that allows you to download a digital picture of the area, then click and drag images until you've created the perfect area -- before you even lift that first shovelful of dirt (figure C)! Be sure to get all of your supplies together in advance so you'll be ready to start work bright and early on Saturday morning.

Tools and Supplies
Plant material
Pre-fab arbor
Large pole
Bark mulch

Plant Material (Southern Region)
Southern magnolia
Spartan juniper
Winter gem boxwood
Gardenia
Chinese wisteria
Mandevilla
White and red rose

Steps

1. First, Maureen addresses some vines that are encroaching on the yard. The vines on the fence will be left because they cover the ugly chain length fence, but the ones growing on an old bench will be removed (figure D).

2. Next, she marks where the arbor’s post holes need to be dug by measuring the arbor’s dimensions and marking them on the ground with spray paint (figure E). The holes are then dug with ordinary post hole diggers (figure F).

3. The arbor is then placed in the holes (figure G). Most arbors need to be set in concrete. Pre-fab arbors can be found in local home improvement stores. Our arbor is plastic, light and moisture resistant. It is virtually maintenance free!

Expert Tip: (Kate Karam, garden designer) Height is often difficult to meet in a garden. An arbor takes care of this problem. An arbor draws the eye upward to the sky and to the top of the garden.

Time Spent: 4 hours

RESOURCES :

Fairfield's flat-top pergola
Spirit Elements
Website: www.spiritelements.com

Large planter with flowers
Asian Ceramics Inc.
Item # 5-2207-W
Website: www.asian-ceramics.com

Mulch
Whitney Farms
Website: www.whitneyfarms.com

Plants
Simply Beautiful
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com

Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Website: www.monrovia.com

Maureen Gilmer, Horticulturalist & Author
Website: www.moplants.com

Suggested books/design software:
Gaining Ground by Maureen Gilmer
The Budget Gardener by Maureen Gilmer
Maureen Gilmer's Garden Maker Software

GUESTS :
Kate Karam
Garden Designer
Los Angeles, CA
E-mail: gardensla@aol.com

Nicholas Staddon
Azusa, CA
Website: www.monrovia.com

Frank McDonough
Horticulturalist
Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Road
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Phone: 949-640-5800
Website: www.rogersgardens.com