Backyard Dilemma

[domesticdiva]

I realize there are other more important issues in this world but my backyard gets me down...way down. One problem...I have zero shade. ZERO. Im begging hubby for a pergola but he's not interested. One way to fix that problem would be to plant shade trees. Heres the bigger problem....My stupid septic tank and field lines take up nearly the entire yard. From what Ive been told...you cant plant trees anywhere near the lines due to agressive roots. So what CAN I plant? Can I plant any shrubs? My yard is so bare!

[Marlingardener]

Honey, don't worry! Think trellises. They provide shade and you can have either lovely flowers or vegetables, or both, on trellises. You can also do a zig-zag fence with flowering vines and pockets of flowers along the fence. Container plants tucked into the inner part of the ^ can be changed according to the season.
If you could post a photo of your backyard we could give you better advice.

[domesticdiva]

Thank you! That does sound lovely however...it also sounds out of my means Forgot to mention that I am on a limited budget. Which is the main reason hubby hasnt built me that pergola. Im keepnig my fingers crossed for a good tax return I don't have a picture. We live out in the country around alot of farm land. Our lot used to be a tobacco field so there are big fields on all but one side of our house. No established trees. In the summer there are tall stalks of corn but its flat and boring all other times. Ive landscaped along the house and patio and it looks acceptable. But I'd like something to look out at while I sip lemonade on that patio I begged for. Its a pretty big yard...to me. The border that defines our yard from the field needs something! I just feel like its a giant canvas waiting to be painted.

[Marlingardener]

Buy a trellis? Perish the thought! Go to a scrap yard (or the town dump) and find old metal porch railings or anything that looks "trellisy". We used the safety bars from an old tavern (the tavern was being demolished) and have tomatoes supported by cattle panels. Be inventive, paint them a bit if you like, but don't PAY for trellises!
I love your comment about a canvas waiting to be painted--that shows you have imagination and are willing to try things. Don't worry, your yard will shape up for your enjoyment. It just takes time.
We, too live in the country and are surrounded by pastures. It's not a bad thing to be surrounded by fields and even corn has a certain beauty to it!

[tomf]

You can get a good sized umbrella for not a lot of money, just get a base to hold it. You can use a short section of black plastic pipe stuck in the ground, I do this when I go to the beach.

[rainbowgardener]

I've never had a septic system, but here's some articles on landscaping septic system with suggested plants, etc:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distributi ... g6986.html


http://mistkits.com/Blog/2009/safe-plan ... c-systems/

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-617/426-617.html

[Dixana]

MARLINGARDER PICTURES!!! It sounds pretty.
Someone on a gardening show I was watching the other day took an old metal corn crib a neighboring farmer wanted to get rid of (they no longer use them), cut it so it was only about 6 or 7 feet high, then plant climbing vines and flowers lake morning glories around it. Inside she had a small table to sit in the shade it provided and it was decorated with old farm equipment like spades, etc. She even hung corn planters and used them to hold flowers.
It was amazing and completely made out of things that would have been thrown out.

[tomf]

Septic systems run about 3 feet down. You could do trellises with climbing plants.

[domesticdiva]

thank ya'll for all the ideas! I think Im gonna look around for some items around the farm that I can "borrow" Im all for repurposing old items! Im currently collecting a few old wooden pallets to make a screen to cover my AC unit! YAY!