Suggestions for backyard landscaping

[forereal]

I am looking for suggestions on what I can do with my backyard. The area is about 50x25. Also I have a large dog that is outside unsupervised a majority of the day. So that takes sod out of the picture. (Actually I would like a little patch of grass for the dog, just not the whole yard where it can be destroyed) I would like to keep my budget under 1k and I can attempt to do all the labor myself. Any ideas?

[jkason]

Under 1K?
Paint it green and forget it.

Seriously, fertilizer grass seed, mulch, a hose & sprinkler, spreader and other misc tools shouldn't be that much.
You will just need to keep the dog inside for 3 weeks, or the effort is wasted.

[jkason]

Looking at the pictures again, a nice bench made out of hardscaping materials would look really good around that tree.

And you really, really need to have a place for the dog to get shade.

Where the hell is "nor"?

[forereal]

Looking at the pictures again, a nice bench made out of hardscaping materials would look really good around that tree.

And you really, really need to have a place for the dog to get shade.

Where the hell is "nor"?

There is a large kennel with a roof for the dog, not in the picture.

[Newt*]

Forereal, how about a combination of pavers and groundcovers that are stepable? Here's dwarf mondo grass either between pavers, between two different hard surfaces or as a lawn substitute. I prefer the dwarf for it's ease of walking on and for my dogs.
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=524
http://www.botanicaatlanta.com/Stone%20Patio%20with%20Mondo%20Grass%20in%20Alpharetta%20GA.jpg
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=JollyRoberts&aid=5059237987167737393&iid=5059238609937995490
http://img.timeinc.net/southern/images/gardens_ss/landscape/1583955/p_promo_l.gif
http://heartgarden.com.au/images/dwarf_mondo_grass.jpg
http://www.mayberryassociates.com/Images/Mondo-Grass_dwf_edit.jpg


Planting shrubs will help cool the yard as well. Take a look at a few of these pics for ideas. You can always do it in stages, installing the hardscape first and then the plants. Purchasing shrubs in 3 gallon containers is less expensive then in 5 gallon containers and they reach the same size in 2 or 3 years anyway.

Some of these pics are yards smaller then yours, but they are meant for ideas.
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=510
http://www.gardenviews.com/proj_urban_04.html
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=540

You don't have to make raised beds as in this pic, but you can see how the shrubs border the paved areas and have the fence as backing. You could even plant sod in part of these.
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=422
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=420
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=248

This is the sketch for the last one above # 248.
http://www.keithdavitt.com/portfolioview.php?id=10

These four are the same garden.
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=310
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=449
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=310
http://www.keithdavitt.com/getimg.php?id=307

You might want to consider using some of that cash for a consult with a garden designer for layout that you can install yourself. That way you won't be making costly mistakes you might have to rip out. They can do as little or as much as you want. Have pictures of what you like from magazines. Do your homework and make a list of everything you want in your yard. Designers can even charge you for a plant list. If you don't need a plant list, then just get the basic design. Here's some ideas on how to start.
http://www.gardendesigner.com/exp-fir.htm
http://www.garden.org/articles/articles.php?q=show&id=1362
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/design/articles/a-room-with-a-view.aspx?nterms=74892
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/design/articles/expansive-soloutions-small-gardens.aspx?nterms=74892

There are groundcovers called stepables.
http://stepables.com/
http://classygroundcovers.com/

I know I threw alot at you, but take your time and look through it to see if any of it is helpful.

Newt

[tallguylehigh]

Wow, that was an awesome post!!!

[Marcos]

Put in loads of pyracantha, and meanwhile, send your dog to obedience school. :rolleyes:

[Newt*]

Put in loads of pyracantha, and meanwhile, send your dog to obedience school. :rolleyes:

Marcos, why would you plant something with thorns where you would have a dog and possibly kids?
http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/pyra_coc.cfm

Maybe you mean Pachysandra as a groundcover? That would be difficult to walk through with it's shrubby-like nature and wouldn't do well in full sun.
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=E430

Why send the dog to obedience school? There was nothing said about any negative behavior, or did I miss something?

Newt