How do you create a great outdoor space when you have no landscaping?

[Linda3273]

Firepit

So I need some help here in creating an outdoor space for my customers that is not expensive but looks inviting?

We moved into our home in April and since it was a new build there is no landscaping, just a lot of dirt.

We put together this temporary firepit and then in British Columbia, Canada, they have now banned all fires - so this is not permitted.

I just need to make this a more private space on a temporary basis, as the landscaping will start in the new year.

Looking forward to hearing all your great ideas as this space is quite sad. 😔

Thank you so much 🙏

[Laura2592 · Accepted solution]

@Linda3273 It looks cute! I would suggest putting up a divider of some sort for privacy. Perhaps a lattice screen or a few trellises. They usually have them at big box hardware stores in the garden section. Or invest in some screening trees that are about 5 feet tall and plant a row. Hang some string lights-- they always make the place look festive.

[Elizabeth1028 · Accepted solution]

@Linda3273 I agree with @Laura2592 however why do you need a “private” space outdoors? Curious if there is a near by road or neighbor. I ask because my outdoor space is not private but we have no neighbors for 10 miles and some guests may find the open outdoor space more pleasing. But @Laura2592  had some great ideas that I guess I would not have thought of. Next question to ask your self is since this is “temporary” what’s your vision for permanent space and what can be used from the temporary set up into the permanent one with out buying something you may not end up using in the permanent space? Those planters and trees I saw would like great as and outdoor border maybe adding more depending on space and we too have a burn ban in ND so can you switch to a gas firepit? I ask cause we can use gas firepits in the burn ban because there is no popping wood that will create sparks. I have a gas firepit on my deck when the ban is on when they can not use the actual firepit we have in the back yard.

[Laura2592 · Accepted solution]

@Laurelle3 REALLY cute idea! I am going to do this at our cottage. There is an area I would like to screen for more privacy. 

[Max144 · Accepted solution]

I think definitely screen the road, and i have in my back yard which guests enjoy sitting/relaxing under a free standing covered pergola which comes in 4 big boxes from Costco and made in Canada or could replace fire pit with nice water feature.

[Linda3273 · Accepted solution]

Hi Max144,

I have been looking at a metal gazebo top (Costco) that could be moved once the landscaping starts up in the spring of 2022. The firepit is a challenge right now because there is a fire ban on so I love the idea of a water feature in that space that I will check into. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to help out. Warmly, Linda 😎

[Linda3273 · Accepted solution]

Hi Elizabeth1028,

Since Seagull Studio is on the second floor, I want to provide a space for my guests to lounge around outside.  The firepit area borders on the road the driveway and the neighbour's driveway. We live just steps from the most active dog walking, running, walking park in Sooke that people love to do, so from dawn to dusk there is always someone around.

The land was cleared to build the house and now we have to get a road grader to level the property before we landscape - nothing is easy. We have a gas firepit but with all the wind would it really make a difference?

Thank you so much for those great suggestions as it helps me improve this space.

Warmly, Linda 😎

[Linda3273 · Accepted solution]

Hi Laurelle3,

Well, your privacy looks simply amazing and wow your passionfruit grows so quickly in beautiful Australia. Great suggestion on the pallets as we are currently using them for other purposes. We do have an issue however with deer as you can see - as our yard is their garden and they devour everything. We have up to 20 deer on-site daily so plantings will require some serious thought. Until the property is fenced 8 feet plus high, there will be no flowering plants, unfortunately.  

Thank you so much for reaching out. Warmly Linda 😎

[Helen427 · Accepted solution]

A little background to the area you now live @Linda3273  that may add enchantment to the character of your listing.

Vancouver Island - Sooke History with Deer, the Indians and surrounding locations from 1865

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18650727.2.17

The new Goldfields in Vancouver's Island also from 1865

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18650102.2.13

Ancient finds - keep us posted @Linda3273 when they do the grading for any interesting finds..

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310721.2.120

The Empire Holds them All by John Y Margison, Sooke

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19190125.2.77

Cult on Island collapses - this is an interesting piece about who built cheese making factories etc in the area of Sooke

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH19271018.2.20

Maybe incorporate some of those aspects of History into your new Garden area...and inside your ABB in a booklet format..

query=Sooke+Canada

[Linda3273 · Accepted solution]

Hi Max144,

I have been looking at a metal gazebo top (Costco) that could be moved once the landscaping starts up in the spring of 2022. The firepit is a challenge right now because there is a fire ban on so I love the idea of a water feature in that space that I will check into. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to help out. Warmly, Linda 😎

[Sally221]

So many clever ideas & elegant solutions in this thread & I'm compelled to add my own!

4 or 5 foot forming stakes can be pounded into the ground to provide a reasonably sturdy bracing system for pallets, the stakes have piercings so a 2by4 can be attached using wood screws. I use lots of tall pieces of driftwood in my garden anchored by a  well embedded forming stake, many of these tall pieces of driftwood are used in ways that help keep the *&$#@!!%*&%$$ deer out of my garden so I can actually HAVE a garden.

An 8 ft fence is a training fence, once you plant a garden worthy of a snacking spree think 10 ft & that's only sufficient if the land isn't sloping in bottomless Bambi's favor. The top half of the fence doesn't need to be & shouldn't be, solid, a couple of strands of wire per foot of height running on the horizontal & enough vertical support to counteract sagging works quite well.  I use speaker wire because it doesn't rust & I like the bright copper color. May your weather be reasonable and no deer chomp your plantings.

[Linda3273]

Hi @Sally221 

Oh, so you know what it means to have many cute little deer in your backyard just munching away on all your hard work. I love the idea of driftwood on the fence but unfortunately, it is illegal to remove it from the beach in my area. The speaker wire is an excellent idea and I am certainly going to try that once we get some height of some kind.

Thank you so much for sharing those great suggestions.

😎

[Helen427]

oh no @Linda3273 , if there's a Fire-ban  due to dry weather and water supply issues then a Water Feature is not such a wise idea, is it??

Maybe create a garden featuring dry weather condition plants...like they used to for the summer months..

All the best

[Linda3273]

Thank you @Helen427 

We are looking and doing a lot of research for water-tolerant + deer-resistant plants and it is a challenge.

Great ideas that I will certainly keep in mid.

With gratitude,

😎

[Helen427 · Accepted solution]

A little background to the area you now live @Linda3273  that may add enchantment to the character of your listing.

Vancouver Island - Sooke History with Deer, the Indians and surrounding locations from 1865

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18650727.2.17

The new Goldfields in Vancouver's Island also from 1865

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18650102.2.13

Ancient finds - keep us posted @Linda3273 when they do the grading for any interesting finds..

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310721.2.120

The Empire Holds them All by John Y Margison, Sooke

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19190125.2.77

Cult on Island collapses - this is an interesting piece about who built cheese making factories etc in the area of Sooke

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH19271018.2.20

Maybe incorporate some of those aspects of History into your new Garden area...and inside your ABB in a booklet format..

query=Sooke+Canada

[Helen427 · Accepted solution]

Feel free to share this one with those building your new fence @Linda3273 

Your Guests may also enjoy, and appreciate.

I'd be inclined to print this one out and frame it inside your Guest Bedroom - bear in mind those who will be undertaking your new fence project also have contacts who may be potential Guests so it's great to share these stories, nothing bets Bush Telegraph!

Maybe also print it and frame it and attach it as part of a Historical Trail on the outside of your new fence for the Dog Walkers and others to read......

Rich Goldfields discovered on Vancouver's Island - price of Carpentry in 1865...

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18650208.2.18

[Linda3273]

Dearest @Helen427 

Well, I am very impressed with all this history of Sooke that you have graciously shared with me.

I love the idea of posting it so the community can learn more, and we have a Mini Library in front of our house that is a replica of 'our house' and I think that I will post these articles that you have kindly shared with me. I will also include them in the book that I provide for my guests as they might also find the history of Sooke very cool.

We were in your neck of the woods a few years back on a cruise and fell in LOVE with New Zealand. It truly is god's country and we hope to return in the future. With much gratitude, 🙏