What can we do for a raised front yard?

Question

We live in suburban area in South Jersy. Our front yard is raised (about 5 feet above ground - see picture http://postthatpic.com/files/1583/housepic.JPG ).

We want to eliminate the "raised" front yard, and make it more a sloping yard, or some other option. Basically, the wood railings in the front destroy the curb appeal. Any ideas?

(The roof is being replaced next month, and the trees will be trimmed).

Answer 1

Wow, that's a tough one. You're going to lose that one tree closest to the front & possibly the ones in the back, too. The soil has to remain at the same level around the trees that they are now.

Next, you are going to have a huge problem with erosion. Our road in front is higher than our yard & I have fought for years planting stuff to decrease the erosion. In fact, my whole yard is sloped (we live in Virginia near the mountains) & we had to build a wall next to where the basement is because of the yard eroding down & having to hose the soil off the patio when it rains.

How about planting some flowing vines, something that can grow and flow down over the wall? If you get enough sun there something flowering would be nice.

Answer 2

The trees are the limiting factor. Without them you could terrace back in 3 steps using some of the more interesting interlocking blocks now available at home improvement stores. Going over 3 or 4 courses at a time requires some heavy duty foundation work which is why I suggested stepping back. The problems: One is the tree roots, you'd cut far too many in the process and the trees would fail. Second, the cost! You could buy me a new pickup, full size, for what it would cost to do that.

Instead, as others have suggested, plant weeping or trailing everygreen plants and let them hang over. You'll still need to do a pit of added retention above the planting bed just to make a nice area for the shrubbery. Don't go with all one type evergreen trailer, group them together in several sections and use other material inbetween, perhaps with weeping perennials here and there for color....plox?. Breaking it up with different color/texture will lmake it less like a giant green monster hanging over the wall.

Answer 3

It would be a boatload of work, but maybe you can eliminate the raise by arranging the yard in a series of terraces. I live near you and I've seen that done in our neighbourhood. I wouldn't go for a total slope because the next time there's a decent rain your whole front yard will be on the sidewalk and you'll have a walk-out basement.

Do you have enough room in front of the railing to put in some concealing shrubs?

Answer 4

Actually, the timber are there for the erosion factor. It will be a huge issue. They could be replaced with brick. It won't be cheap, even if you do it yourself.

You house is nice, but no one can see it very well and the trees do not frame it well. I think that is the issue you need to address to get for the curb appeal that you desire. I would remove them. They look overgrown for the scale of your home and are too close!

You could plant some flowering shrubs at the corners to frame the picture. Leave the shrubs by the house. They are nice. Some larger shrubs close to the curb could also help frame your picture.

Answer 5

If you eliminate the wood around the yard, you are going to run into a lot of problems. If it is the wood you want to get rid of, go with a stone wall. Plant a nice garden. You can have plants trailing over, I find this is very pretty. We have severe erosion problems and we did ours in boulders. I have no grass in front, I dug it all up and it is all garden, with a path, bird feeder, bird bath. We love it, after we did it, we were even surprised at how different it looked. I would definately keep some kind of retaining wall. Best of Luck.

Answer 6

You could terrace it down, but this would have to happen without disturbing the trees. The tree in front is going to have to be removed or replanted.

Answer 7

I agree w/ Calla