for Small Backyards

Small Backyard Landscaping

Before you start landscaping the backyard, check it out from all angles. Write down the features you want to get rid of and the ones you want to showcase. Here, you also need to take into consideration the architecture of your home, so that you plant shrubs and flowers that complement the style and design.

Relaxing Backyard

Even if you have a small backyard, you can still install a pergola. Get a customized DIY pergola kit that comes with precut parts and all the hardware and instructions you require to set it up. This is perfect for homes that want to have a place for entertaining without using up precious space to installing an outdoor patio. If you are building your own, consider using Western Red Cedar, as this wood is durable, gorgeous to look at, and naturally repels pests. Once the pergola is up, you can decorate it with flowering pots, have a portable barbecue and a few cushions and pillows where you can sit and relax. You can paint the pots with glow-inthe-dark paint and get the illumination you seek. Install a hot tub under your gazebo. Make sure you have a privacy fence around the backyard.

Family-Friendly Backyard

If you have kids and an active family life, such as barbecues, you could choose a pergola with a retractable canopy. This way, you can enjoy your garden, even when the weather is not your best friend. Use this space to add a portable barbecue, music system, and a few strategically placed outdoor furniture pieces to ensure adequate seating. Focus on planting perennials in flowerbeds to enjoy vibrant colors and a relaxing fragrance. A small backyard actually gives you many opportunities to showcase your taste and personality. It hardly takes a couple of weekends to get the landscaping done and you will be able to enjoy your handiwork for years to come. Use these tips to make your small backyard into a haven where you can create outstanding memories and increase the value of your property

Ground Covers

Sloping Land

If you have a sloping area to fill in, you know that not all your favorite plants will grow well on the side of a hill.

Creeping Juniper

Size: 10 feet spread

Full sun

Plant Zone: 3-9

Dianthus

Size: 6-36 inches tall

Full sun

Plant Zone: 3-9

Creeping Myrtle

Size: vines up to 18” long

Full or partial shade

Plant Zone: 4-9

Shady Spots

Do you have a shady corner in your yard where nothing grows?

Evergreen groundcovers are well-suited to soil conditions in the shade.

DRY SOILS

Carpet Bugle

Cotoneaster

Bigroot Geranium

Bellflower

AVERAGE/MOIST SOILS

European Ginger

Sweet Woodruff

Wintergreen

Salal

Foodscaping

Fill in the blank spots in your garden, while providing some beneficial edibles at the same time: from herbs to flowers and fruiting plants!

Nasturtiums - flowers and leaves have a peppery taste

Alpine Strawberries - easy maintenance with no runners, delicate fruit continued from page 22

Oregano - Bees love the clusters of delicate flowers! Flowers make a fragrant garnish for soups, salads, and other dishes.

Personal Loan

Best for: A larger project with a specific end date, such as a roof replacement or kitchen renovation.

Cash-Out Refinance

Another option for homeowners is the cash-out refinance. Typically, with a cash-out refinance you replace your current mortgage with a new, larger loan. The difference between the new mortgage amount and the balance on your previous mortgage goes to you at closing in cash, which you can use on home improvements, debt consolidation, or other financial needs.

Focal Points

Good design can be used in both home & garden spaces. Just like in home design, good garden design directs the eye.

Focal points are plants or objects that stand out from the background: a water feature, garden ornament, or weeping tree can be the basis to build garden around.

TIPS:

• Choose a proven performer.

• Make sure focal plants have long peak period of growth.

• Change it up with colorpots, updated seasonally.

A personal loan is another lending tool that can be used for financing smaller home improvement projects. With a personal loan, you’re not using your home as collateral, so it’s considered unsecured debt. One of the big benefits, as compared to other options discussed, is at some financial institutions (like WECU) it can be approved in as few as 24 hours. Your terms are be determined by your income and credit score.

Interest rates: Fixed.

Best for: A smaller project with a specific end date, such as a household appliance or windows.

Credit Card

While we wouldn’t normally recommend using a credit card for a large home improvement project, it can be great for short term borrowing. If you use a cash back credit card and pay off the balance in full each month, this could help with the cost of the project.

Have Questions?

If you have more questions, our team at WECU is here to help. As a not-for-profit credit union that has been around for more than 85 years, you can rest assured knowing that our team will always have your best interest at heart. Visit wecu.com or call us at 360-676-1168.