The familiar, traditional backyard generally contains a grill, swing set, maybe a pool, jacuzzi, hot tub, and miles of lawn. However, there are exciting ways to make a backyard unique to you and your family.
If you are a nature lover you might replace some or all of the grass with large beds. Plant trees and bushes that produce berries and seeds. Some choices for our area are wax myrtles, holly trees, fig trees. Savannah hollies bring in Cedar Waxwings every year. Some bushes that are easy to grow include American beauty bush, Parsley hawthorn, Hamelia patens fire bush, and  blueberry bushes.
Be sure to provide a water source such as a bird bath, bird feeder, and hummingbird feeder to draw nature’s winged creatures to the trees and bushes to make the area more enjoyable. Entice butterflies and bees in your garden as well. In a sunny area, bring in quality soil and plant various milkweed plants, lantana, salvias, coneflowers, coreopsis, fennel, dill, zinnias, and sunflowers. Flowering vines like the Maypop passion vine, coral vine, jasmine, trumpet vines, and wisteria make a beautiful addition and draw bees and butterflies. Make sure to provide a trellis or let them climb on a fence.Â
Start a square-foot garden and try your luck at growing some vegetables for your family. You will need a sunny spot and elevated beds that can be sectioned off into square foot areas like 3×3 feet or 4×8 feet. Get some tips online or pick up Mel Bartholomew’s book on square foot gardening. The Extension also has a free flyer on when and what to plant. Vegetables can be grown year-round in our climate. You can even grow vegetables right on your patio!
An herb garden is another area of interest. Provide a sunny location and elevate the bed by making a little hill. Herbs like it on the dry side. Add some rocks, fairy houses, and fairies for interest. Some choices to plant are basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, cilantro, and parsley. Add mint or spearmint in a pot because they are a bit invasive. Watch out! Your little girl may find this a magical place to play!
The ideas listed above can be incorporated into an average-size backyard. Welcome to your special place that is also a refuge for the birds, bees, butterflies and small animals.
