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Yard & Garden Design Suggestions Needed
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Posted by gymnast_gal Zone 6 (My Page) on Tue, May 6, 08 at 0:22
| Hubby and I are trying to help our daughter with the yard/garden surrounding her first house. We are from New England and are not too familiar with NYC, Brooklyn, Bronx, etc.
Situation:
Houses on street very close together.
Very small back yards.
Low chain link fences.
No privacy.
Other yards seem to be full of junk.
Some are completely covered with concrete.
Wish list:
Privacy via shrubs, trees.
Low maintenance.
Perennials, shrubs, some vegetables.
Winter interest.
Thank you for any help!
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Yard & Garden Design Suggestions Needed
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| Hi I put some fencing in the back of my garden and it came with old, tall Yew bushes that were very large and shielded my garden from the gardens behind me. So far on the sides I am putting up with the semi-mess to the right and left. I don't want to block my view of the great rose garden two houses away on one side and the interesting garden three houses away on the other side.
Climbing roses, moonflower vines and cypress vines have worked well to semi-block the messes. How about a few fast growing evergreens? I keep my tomatoes and basil in pots. |
RE: Yard & Garden Design Suggestions Needed
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| My experience based on Brooklyn's size backyard with like your daughter's home neigborhood. First, my suggestuion would be to understand where is her East and West sides. That is important for growing up blackberry and grape. She can do what I did: erect 3 standard wooden poles(Home Depot's $2.99 a piece) and hang up as cheap as possible electric cable(not a BX)along on adistance 1 ft between lines. Such "fence" will comply with NYC Buildings Department being considering as "temporary" and can be as high as your daughter want ( solid fence without permit should not be more than 6'). After that I would suggest to plant such grape as NIAGARA or Candice below her west fence and blackberry on east wall(fence). One year is enough for such plants to make your backyard pretty private. Another advantage coming from balckberry( I have planted 2 varieties) they produce many juicy berries from June till late September. Grape Niagara is most vigorous and provide good crop for eating on a second year after planting. All these benefits are extra to your full privacy. At least I cannot see my neighbors fighting every day any more( but unfortunately can hear them... still) |
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