The new homeowners of this small acreage property in a rural area wanted to update their landscape and add some fun features that accomodated their lifestyle. The foundational plantings had become old, overgrown, and some of the plants had died.
They also planned to make part of their home an air bnb, so they wanted to create access for their guests and a neat area they could hang out during their stay.
We began by addressing the existing landscape, which I call the foundational landscape that surrounds the home. First some trees and overgrown shrubs needed to be removed. I worked on designing the beds to be a bit larger with a nicer shape, adding a diversity of low maintenance native plants.
Our first step of the installation was to install a pathway from the front driveway to the airbnb. Because of the its length and to save on cost, we used a landscape gravel for the pathway. It was also easier to install due to the slope of the property. We also drylaid a small pathway through the front garden that reused some field stone found on-site during excavation.
For this front yard garden space, we extended the garden bed out to meet the pathway and create an ‘entrance’. Many plants including a dogwood tree had died in this garden. We replaced with hardier plants including a serviceberry tree.
In this area, we removed several large roses that had become very overgrown. We saved the birch tree by removing an invasive pear tree that was growing into it. We kept the large shrub next the house. All other plants and the pathway were added on this side of the house. What a way to great guests! This area used to be a construction zone with leftover lumber, compacted soil, and many rocks.
On this side of the side of the house, we exended the garden across the face of the wall and gave it a nice curve. Since the house is on a slope, I needed to add some taller plants to dive more height to the landscape and break up the large wall space. I chose plants with pops of color that will read well from a distance on the other side of the property.
These metal raised beds come in a few different colors and will last many years. It makes taking care of a vegetable garden much easier.
The most exciting space in this garden is the entertainment area with an attached raised bed space for growing vegetables. The first year in this garden the customers grew some amazing tomatoes and watermelons!
Within the entertainment area we added a fire pit and grill attachment which gives them a great space to cook for their guests while outdoor entertaining. They were able to harvest food straight from the garden to cook; a few zucchini and herbs thrown staright on the grill for a garden-to-grill experience! A sunsail added to the pergola added some shade when it was sunny out and created a sense of enclosure. Teak furniture will provide durable outdoor furniture that will last many years.
