Backyard a Blank Canvas - Looking for ideas

[McReidy]

We have bought a house in Ridgehaven, SA and want to spruce up our backyard, which at the moment is all grass and fences. We are thinking about putting some kind of garden bed along each fence (maybe 2 sleepers high), but are looking for any ideas on how we can improve the look of the yard without spending a fortune. We would like to keep as much grass (or prickles at this time of year) as possible for the kids to have a play area. Any advise/ideas would be very much appreciated.

Note: The clothesline pictured is no longer there - we just installed a brand new foldable Hills Hoist in the bottom left corner by the retaining wall (next to teh cafe blinds.. There is also now a wall where the end blind is and a spa...

[REAO.com.au]

Welcome to the forum, I removed the block on your account to allow you to upload photos.

[Jimbo]

Yes welcome to the forum , please upload some photos.

[McReidy]

Welcome to the forum, I removed the block on your account to allow you to upload photos.

Thanks for that Mod.. Photos uploaded. Hopefully now the ideas will come flooding in :)

[Jimbo]

I note the slope of backyard , do you know if you have any trouble with water running towards house, is there a drain near path area?

[McReidy]

I note the slope of backyard , do you know if you have any trouble with water running towards house, is there a drain near path area?

Hi Jimbo. Cheers for the prompt reply. The slope is not too severe but it does cause a little run off (especially down the ramp more than anywhere else). There is no drainage at the bottom as yet but we are considering installing grill type drainage at the bottom.

[DIY Renovator]

Welcome to the site .
The garden shed is a little scary for sure sitting out there by itself.
The rear fence would accept a garden bed running along it but the side fences would require to be stepped with sleepers.
Have you considered stepping/terracing the rear yard or are you happy having it sloped?
A terraced garden can help to transform a sloping hillside into an area which is suitable for planting. Terraces can also help to create an area of focus within a backyard.
What is your budget for such a project?

[McReidy]

The first plan of attack will be to paint all 3 fences the same colour (thinking a neutral creamy colour) and probably do the shed the same. The shed will be taken off the current slab and laid on a slab level with the lawn so it is not raised with a ramp. Just on painting the fences - the back fence was only installed about 16 months ago and I read somewhere that you can't paint galv fences for a couple of years. Not sure how true this is thogh.

As far as budget goes really have no idea as this is the first time we have attempted such an undertaking.

[Laurie]

When painting gal you just need to etch it or clean it well.
I used a water based paint that is for gal and it just required the steel to be sugar soaped before applying. 10yr warranty
The only real problem I have found coating gal is when it's very new it can have a light oil coating over it from manufacture. A 16 month old fence is perfect for painting, I suggest using an industrial two pack coating and apply it with a spray gun to get a good finish.

I'm not sure about a neutral cream as it tends to highlight your fence to much.
If it was me I'd consider one of the many greens that will blend with the garden and lawn and not stand out to much.

[heather64]

I agree I think a pale green would be a much better choice for the fence colour so it blends in. A cream would be fine for inside but outside it would stand out and give the feel of being boxed in. Maybe paint the rear fence first and decide but looking at the green like fenced already on one side it is much easier on the eye.

[Jimbo]

A possible solution for the shed would be to erect a garden with treated sleepers around the base of the slab two high and create a screen across the front.
Maybe erect some posts against the slab behind the garden bed and attach some wire mesh to it and grow a nice vine over it to screen the shed.
Once the shed was painted and had a screen to hide it I feel would be a much cheaper option then trying to move it.
You could screen the side and front and this would still allow you to store items behind the shed out of view.

[Jenny]

Confederate jasmine will cover a trellis (or anything in it's path) with thick vines that bloom profusely in the spring with incredibly sweet-scented tiny flowers. The leaves are evergreen, too, providing year 'round screening.

[McReidy]

I was actually just talking to my wife about putting up a timber screen on the front and side of the shed to avoid having to move it - I think a screen is the best option. Also re teh colour of the shed I have dummied up in Photoshop (very roughly) and I don't think it looks too bad.. Thoughts??

[Jimbo]

Honestly it gives the feeling of being enclosed and with so much open lawn area it stands out. Gives me the feeling of it was going cheap so we purchased it..lol
Just my 2 cents worth

[Mary]

Often a Reed or Bamboo screen can be a good option but at times it does look a little tacky when used by some people.
I like the idea of growing a nice vine , it's looks so much more natural and can give a warm feel to a home.