> Gardens

Project:
Overgrown Yard Refurbished
Client:
Anne O'Shea
Site:
48th & Baltimore, Philadelphia, PA
Year:
2006
 

02 Refurbished Yard

After
Context:
A rental property backyard had been unmaintained for about 4 years. As a new tenant I was interested in the yard's potential for gardening. Five square "raised" beds were uncovered, constructed of untreated 2x4's that were in various stages of decomposition. There were various perennials along the yard's border including irises, peonies, liriope, roses, hostas, daylillies, wild morning glory, and 4 varieties of mint.
Idea:
First the yard was cleared by hand so that the invasive weeds and vines could be pulled up and disposed of and the perennials could remain. The majority of beds were removed, and a new vegetable garden plot was sewn in mid-July. I re-landscaped the perimeter border and added an herb garden against the house in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. I also prepared a shady area against the neighbor's wooden fence to become a woodland garden.