Lawn Goodbye 2023: Hello! Time Flies, Life Goes On

Since completing their Menlo Park front yard January 2019,

WordPress Lawn Goodbye 2019: We’ve Got Palms! Frequent Visitors & Low Maintenance

Time flies, life goes on.

Fall 2023 project Rose contacts me for enhancing the backyard to be enjoyed from the inside looking out, as well as transforming the outdated backyard spaces.

“R and G, Menlo Park: Our back yard was in need of some serious attention.
A few years ago Kim designed our front yard and did an amazing re-creation.

I contacted her once again to ask if she would have an interest in transforming the back yard, she agreed and I now have a beautiful back yard to enjoy from inside and out, I am looking forward to having a lot of fun with my Doberman puppy and relaxation for myself.

So grateful to Kim and Jose E. for your expertise in creating our beautiful back yard paradise. And thank you to Jose and crew for their hard work.”

Priorities for this renovation included utilizing the large space for year round dining with family and friends, comfortable seating areas, repurposing the trellis and adding raised boxes for growing edibles. 

Dog-friendly, non-toxic plants, many drought tolerant were chosen in reds, orange, white and purple for all year round enjoyment not only by Rose but butterflies, hummingbirds and birds welcomed in her backyard.

Additionally, incorporate the special garden mementoes from their many decades of living here. 

Their friend Oden showed up with his friend who both felt The Bear statue was right at home in Mike & Rose’s backyard. The various gnomes collected or received as gifts added over the years have found new or familiar spots among the rearranged pots on the patio.

The real looking yet not real artificial turf was added to mirror the front yard green grass effect, acknowledging drought awareness and low maintenance. 

Extending the existing Flagstone created a perfect covered patio Dining Area.

Gracie, Rose’s 20 month old Doberman dog, loves running tirelessly around the new turf, and for the most part seems to try avoiding trampling over the new plants when chasing and fetching the ball. She also loves soaking up the sun now in “her” backyard.  For her frequent thirst quenching, her water bowl is now conveniently located next to the hose.

For adding a vertical gardening element to the bare wall near the new patio seating Reusing and repurposed one trellis with three newly added colorful pots. 

The remaining 2 trellis were used to create a new entrance of the new raised box area with Jose’s creative new Arbor design he built an Arbor using these for the sides combined with wood to grow a ‘Tangerine Skies’ climbing rose over the sides and top.

To visually balance and enhance the overall landscape under the established very tall 50 foot tall Palm Tree Adding 3 Very Large Boulders. The boulders instantly provide a resting perch for people, birds and Gracie! 

A welcome relocation spot created by moving the floral motif metal bench from the front porch actually never utilized for a comfortable seat. Now looking like it was always here under the Palm tree. Updating for contrasting the trunk of the tree, spraying in new color black to coordinate with the nearby black trellis.

This project has significance for Rose tackling this project solo. 

Life is a journey – full of ups and downs. And just as in life, garden renovations can be a journey of personal growth with a sense of pride when the project is completed. The satisfaction of creating a sanctuary for one’s self is accepting we have to be the ones to initiate change. To take the risk. The unknown is tough at times. Living an indecisive life of regret is tough too. Once we make our unknowns known, we’re already making progress on improving our life.

Magical Collaboration combining Jose E. and his hardworking individuals.

Joining all of our skills, ideas and shared goals and objectives has been such a rewarding and wonderful creative backyard oasis.

Gratitude to one and all!!

Kim Beber 

INVITING SPACES BY KIM

invitingspacesbykim.wordpress.com

650.776.6123

Creating Inviting Spaces For Anytime of Day