What is a Backyard?

  A rear garden is a type of outdoor space with greenery, flowers and vegetables located at the rear of a residential house. It differs from other types of residential gardens, such as those found in the front of a house or on the sides of it, only by its location. A lawn, rock planters, plant containers or trees, as well as flower or vegetable beds, can be part of a backyard garden.

The size of a backyard varies greatly depending on the property. Smaller gardens may have only a small area of ​​grass, while larger backyards may have large expanses of grass. Flower beds and rock garden sections can border a grassy backyard and form a feature near the centre.

Flower bed borders are often rectangular and located along a property line in a backyard, such as one marked by a fence. They may have rocks, bricks, or other materials for their borders, but rock gardens typically feature less soil and more stones, boulders, or even pebbles around the plants.

In desert locations where grass is not popular as it remains brown and dry most of the time, backyard rock gardens are much more common and cover a larger area that can also be combined with paving.

type of backyard garden

Cacti and other desert flowering plants can be part of this type of backyard garden. Backyard gardens in many areas and climates often feature walking steps in flower beds to avoid trampling plants. In addition to rock, brick or cement, steps can also be made of resin.

display of landscaping

Many backyards not only serve as a display of landscaping but are used by the families who live in the homes. The backyard space can include a trampoline, basketball hoop, or pool, as well as space for the family dog ​​to run. Back gardens are usually adjacent to a patio or decking area at the back of the house. The back door of the house usually leads to the patio or deck, then to the backyard. It is common for people to have chairs, a dining table, and an outdoor barbecue on the outside deck or patio overlooking the backyard.

 Back gardens are not always at the level of the house. They can be tilted down or up. Water features, such as ponds or fountains, can be part of a backyard. Some homeowners like to accentuate the garden with bird baths or statues, while others prefer a simpler look.

Helpful Tips for Designing a Backyard Garden

Many people have very beautiful gardens in front of their homes but have forgotten the backyard. The truth is that you can achieve an interesting landscape in your yard as long as you take into account some basic gardening issues. The first thing we need to know is that soil conditions must be improved before planting any species. We dig the soil to the depth required by each species and add compost and fertilizer. We mix everything and then add a little sand. Finally, we add a top layer of soil.

Most species of flowers and shrubs have special requirements for the amount of sunlight they need per day to thrive. However, some species also need moments of shade. A good idea is to plant against a wall or under a tree so that the cultivated species can have shade and lighting during the day. Regarding sunlight, it is important to grow deciduous trees. In this way, during the summer, we can enjoy abundant shade, and in the cold seasons, we will have the radiant sun that gives us a little heat.

Finally, a very important tip refers to the drainage system in the soil. Most plants can suffer serious problems if their roots become drowned. When the soil is very wet, the roots of the plants are deprived of oxygen. A sandy soil can be a good option for the drainage system to work perfectly.