Our too-short summer season in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County and the Edmonton area means we have to take every opportunity to get outside.  But what if your back yard is not exactly an inviting space?  How do you go about creating the oasis you desire if your backyard looks like a prison exercise yard – bare dirt or scruffy grass surrounded by chain link fence, no vegetation, no privacy?  Where do you even begin?

Check out “Squeezing the Most Out of Your Backyard”, published in the June 14, 2011 edition of The Edmonton Journal.  In this article Lisa Kadane of The Calgary Herald reminds readers to begin where they are and plan carefully based on that reality.  Consider the size of your yard and which direction it faces, as this will determine its ultimate design.  Think about how you intend to use the space:  kids’ playground vs. patio party, for example.  Consider how you can maximize privacy through strategic use of fences, screens, trellises and the like.  Something a lot of backyard enthusiasts don’t think about is adding a heat source so the space can be used on cool evenings and later in the season.  Think about how you’ll deal with what Kadane calls “nuisances”.  She was referring to wind, but you can probably think of others in our part of Alberta; mosquitoes come to my mind!  Add utility and atmosphere with lighting and greenery.

For more details and practical examples, as well as some great ideas to get you started creating your own backyard retreat, read the full article.

Let me help you find the property that has your ideal garden space.  Give me a call at 780-910-9669, email me at btwynam@telusplanet.net, or contact me here.