67th Street Backyard
You have to start somewhere. This is my back yard. It went from a boring path, dead fruit trees, and patchy weeds to a place to dine, a coffee patio, a tomato and strawberry patch, and a place for all the water that used to flood my garage to sink into the ground. Sages waft their fragrance into the air on hot nights. Sulphur Buckwheats bloom in February, heralding the impending Spring. Hummingbirds zip from the verbenas to the penstemons, filling the air with their high pitched chirps.
3 Years After Planting: Sages and Buckwheats bring fragrance and beauty throughout the year, while a patio and pergola provide space to enjoy the plants, and some shelter from the sun.
Before Planting: A sad expanse of weeds and grass, and a walkway that led to a patio that had no shade or shelter.
3 Years After Planting: A grape vine crawls along the garage and a small concrete patio under the tree provides space to enjoy some shade and the views of the yard.
Before Planting: A sun baked, shade-less patio and path are overtaken by Bermuda grass. There is no place to enjoy the shade of the single living tree in the yard.
3 Years After Planting: A shady respite under the tree is achieved with wide pavers. To the right tomatoes flourish. In the mid ground is the swale, which absorbs run off from the garage and the side yard, keeping the house from flooding. The swale will slowly fill in with grasses and filter the water, allowing it to percolate into the top soil for the plants to use in the dry months.