DIY Network

The Sarvis-Conlon's: Their Plan, Costs and Products From "Garden Sense" episode DGAR-213

Meet Patrick Conlon and Melanie Sarvis-Conlon. Patrick works as a sales training executive. Melanie is a retired teacher turned massage therapist.

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They have a beautiful backyard with an equally beautiful lawn, but the yard is extremely steep. Patrick has bad knees from his days as a high school football player and has a difficult time cutting the grass so Melanie usually takes over the job. They would like to get rid of some of the grass and plant trees in the area.

They feel the trees would add some privacy from the neighbors and finish the landscape. The drainage system for the roof runs off the hill to the far right side of the yard so that area stays moist all the time. To create a barrier for the water, Melanie hauled hundreds of pounds of rocks to the area.

Gardening Challenge

Before

After

Required Project Time
The Branching out the Backyard project took six hours to complete.

Project Details

• This episode is all about trees. We wanted to create privacy and give polish to a steep hill.
  
• A weeping willow was planted at the base of the rock "garden" because it thrives in plenty of moisture.
  
• The trees we selected require easy care and do not mind moist conditions. The Eastern redbuds and crabapple, in particular, offer beautiful blooms in the spring.
  
• Junipers were added to the rock "garden" to add interest.
  
• Color also was added in the form of pansies and chrysanthemums.
  
• Only a little of the grass was removed.

Gardening by Zip Code If you're looking to start a gardening projectbut don't know your gardening zone—visit the National Gardening Associations's USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. Enter your Zip Code to identify the proper zone.

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