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6 steps to a successful backyard transformation
 Diana
Balazs
After nearly 18 years in my Mcshack of a 1959 California ranch,
I took the plunge.
I updated my circa 1961 swimming pool. A leaky kidney-shape monster
that in recent years ate chlorine 24/7, it produced algae of all
colors and had stained and chipped plaster.
My pool is rejuvenated with new quartz-embedded plaster, new tile
(I chose Gothic blue) and a few artfully arranged dolphin-themed
tiles.
It's gorgeous, but now, my patio and yard need a serious face-lift.
The stained white resin chairs have to go. The only landscaping
on my patio is a bougainvillea up against one wall and an equally
hardy rosemary bush on the other end. The rest of the yard consists
of an Arizona Sweet orange tree, a lemon tree, a bottlebrush tree,
assorted pyracantha and other bushes, lots of weeds, and patchy
Bermuda.
But where to begin? Here are tips to start the process:
Take inventory. List what you have in your yard. If you can't afford
a landscape architect, draw a rough diagram of your yard and its
contents.
Decide what you want to keep and what you want to remove.
Make a dream list. This time, jot down what you want to add to
your yard. If you have young children, a pool fence or cover is
a must. For landscaping ideas, flip through home and garden magazines.
If you already have a theme in mind, go with it. Because my house
today would be the size of someone's new garage, I want to go with
a cozy cottage theme. White wicker chairs and settee for the patio
with soft, comfy pillows in floral prints, a bistro-style white
table and chairs for alfresco dining, lots of pretty containers
with scented geranium and colorful annuals that won't shed into
the pool, maybe a garden bench or two facing the pool, along with
a small gazebo, some garden cherubs and other statuary . . .
Come back to Earth. Figure out a realistic plan and budget and
stick to them. You may have to finish your redo in phases if you
want it all, or do without, such as the gazebo. Sigh!
Get at least three estimates from landscape professionals. Ask
for references from neighbors who have had poolscape work done.
Be prepared for sticker shock. In addition to the plants, irrigation
must be installed, as well as pathways, curbs, fountains, electrical
and other improvements.
Do it yourself. Take a class on creating planters or installing
drip irrigation (you even can install emitters for patio containers),
and prowl pool, patio, thrift and even grocery stores for outdoor
furniture, pottery and accessories.
For my front porch I found a small wicker chair and table for $40
at a Scottsdale thrift store. I'm looking for similar bargains for
the back patio. Shop summer holiday or end-of-summer clearance sales
for best buys on patio sets and accessories.
Be practical. Visit your nursery or home-and-garden center and
ask which plants would work best for your poolscape.
Although shade is desirable, stay away from trees or bushes that
shed, such as citrus, sweet acacia or ash. If they are planted too
close to the pool, litter will end up in the pool.
Also, if you have young children, don't plant cactuses and other
spiky desert plants unless they are well out of reach.
Virtual garden: Gilbert's water-conservation home page at www.ci.gilbert.az.us/water
is loaded with great tips, including a section on water conservation
for swimming pools. Click on "landscape tips."
A greener thumb: Here's one of the tips from the Web site: Backwash
pool filters only as needed and just long enough for the water to
run clean. The best place for this water is on your landscape, where
it can be directed onto lawn areas or other landscape plants.
Constructing shallow basins around trees and shrubs will keep the
water from running off.
Personal note: The only consistently green patch of Bermuda in
my backyard is the area that the backwash water reaches.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/home/articles/0715swgarden0715.html
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