Building a Year-Round Backyard in Colorado?

Building a Year-Round Backyard
Landscaping can keep your garden visually appealing all year round. The first step to designing a year-round backyard is having a vision of what you want it to look like. Then, patience is required. Whatever landscaping is done in the yard this season will typically manifest in the following same season. However, it does mean paying attention to what you need to plant and what accessories can be used to create a weather-proof, comfortable, year-round backyard space.

Building a Year-Round Backyard in Colorado?

Have a Plan

Create a planting chart. Once you do some research online and chat with your neighbors and local nursery, put together a planting chart. Divide the chart into seasons and months. On the chart list the things that need to be done and the dates by when they need to be finished. This can be a great way to get the kids involved. It can help if you have pictures of the flowers and vegetables you expect to see growing. Assign important jobs to the kids to keep them enthusiastic about what’s to come.

Plants, Shrubs, and Tree​​

Different climates and different seasons mean growing a variety of plants and seasonal vegetables. Different types of flowers have their best time blossoming at different times of the year. When creating a year-round backyard it is important to consider a mix of flowering plants, vegetables, and ornamental grasses. In addition, thought should be given to berry-producing flora for the little wild critters and birdlife to feed on. Part of the joy of a year-round yard is seeing the variety of wildlife it will attract.
While many evergreens don’t flower, they add a splash of color and dimensional height to a garden. Factor height and color into the year-round garden planning as well. The trick is to know what can be planted all year round, or in just a fall and winter, such as wild garlic.

Plant In Order

Planting plants in line with when they are expected to blossom helps with time planning. It is a good idea to start with the plants that take the longest to grow. Then, plant the quicker growing plants if you want them to blossom at the same time. With regards to planting vegetables, follow the seasons as well as growing times. It will be exciting to see more than just one salad ingredient at a time ready for harvesting, and more than one vegetable ready for roasting. Extend the harvest and vegetable growing season by planting in raised beds. Be sure to include herbs in the plan too.

Accessories

The purpose of building a year-round yard is to be able to enjoy it as often as possible. Some accessories and features will help offset the colder and windier weather so that you can do just that.

Build a Firepit 

A firepit is not just for sitting around in the colder months. They are a great place to socialize on summer nights as well. A fire pit is not only a nice backyard feature, it is also functional.

Light Up

Make use of spotlights and string lights as the nights get darker quicker. Consider focusing a spotlight on a particular feature or flowerbed.

Windshield

In the early spring and even in warmer months, the evening breeze can be chilly. A windshield made from natural materials like wood can be placed strategically to guard against the breeze. It can be permanently fixed or mobile for when the wind changes direction.

Relax and Enjoy

Invest in weather-resistant cushions and seating for the patio and around the fire pit. These are easily cleaned and don’t retain moisture. Consider installing a hot tub to soak in and soak up the year-round view.

SOLMAUNA Creations & Landscaping Designs in Colorado

Our team of landscape designers brings a unique combination of landscape architecture education paired with extensive knowledge of plants to the table. Contact us Today.

Building a Year-Round Backyard in Colorado?

Building a Year-Round Backyard
Landscaping can keep your garden visually appealing all year round. The first step to designing a year-round backyard is having a vision of what you want it to look like. Then, patience is required. Whatever landscaping is done in the yard this season will typically manifest in the following same season. However, it does mean paying attention to what you need to plant and what accessories can be used to create a weather-proof, comfortable, year-round backyard space.

Building a Year-Round Backyard in Colorado?

Have a Plan

Create a planting chart. Once you do some research online and chat with your neighbors and local nursery, put together a planting chart. Divide the chart into seasons and months. On the chart list the things that need to be done and the dates by when they need to be finished. This can be a great way to get the kids involved. It can help if you have pictures of the flowers and vegetables you expect to see growing. Assign important jobs to the kids to keep them enthusiastic about what’s to come.

Plants, Shrubs, and Tree​​

Different climates and different seasons mean growing a variety of plants and seasonal vegetables. Different types of flowers have their best time blossoming at different times of the year. When creating a year-round backyard it is important to consider a mix of flowering plants, vegetables, and ornamental grasses. In addition, thought should be given to berry-producing flora for the little wild critters and birdlife to feed on. Part of the joy of a year-round yard is seeing the variety of wildlife it will attract.
While many evergreens don’t flower, they add a splash of color and dimensional height to a garden. Factor height and color into the year-round garden planning as well. The trick is to know what can be planted all year round, or in just a fall and winter, such as wild garlic.

Plant In Order

Planting plants in line with when they are expected to blossom helps with time planning. It is a good idea to start with the plants that take the longest to grow. Then, plant the quicker growing plants if you want them to blossom at the same time. With regards to planting vegetables, follow the seasons as well as growing times. It will be exciting to see more than just one salad ingredient at a time ready for harvesting, and more than one vegetable ready for roasting. Extend the harvest and vegetable growing season by planting in raised beds. Be sure to include herbs in the plan too.

Accessories

The purpose of building a year-round yard is to be able to enjoy it as often as possible. Some accessories and features will help offset the colder and windier weather so that you can do just that.

Build a Firepit 

A firepit is not just for sitting around in the colder months. They are a great place to socialize on summer nights as well. A fire pit is not only a nice backyard feature, it is also functional.

Light Up

Make use of spotlights and string lights as the nights get darker quicker. Consider focusing a spotlight on a particular feature or flowerbed.

Windshield

In the early spring and even in warmer months, the evening breeze can be chilly. A windshield made from natural materials like wood can be placed strategically to guard against the breeze. It can be permanently fixed or mobile for when the wind changes direction.

Relax and Enjoy

Invest in weather-resistant cushions and seating for the patio and around the fire pit. These are easily cleaned and don’t retain moisture. Consider installing a hot tub to soak in and soak up the year-round view.

SOLMAUNA Creations & Landscaping Designs in Colorado

Our team of landscape designers brings a unique combination of landscape architecture education paired with extensive knowledge of plants to the table. Contact us Today.