Hey everyone! I'm thinking about purchasing a home that has a gorgeous but massive backyard garden, and I need some advice. It's multi-level and currently looks more like a jungle than a garden! I enjoy gardening and want to clean it up, maybe put in some grass in flatter areas, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the size of the project. I'm also worried about potential issues with snakes and mosquitoes since there's a creek running through the backyard. I love gardens, but is this going to be a massive undertaking? I want to find a balance with maintaining it while also enjoying the beauty it offers. Here's a video of the backyard for reference: https://imgur.com/a/Q3x240J.
3 Answers
Taking care of a massive garden is no small feat! I love gardening too, but it can be a huge time sink. I've been working on my garden for four years and I'm still tackling cleaning and replanting. If you love it and are ready for the commitment, go for it—but be prepared to spend a lot of time maintaining it!
As a native gardener, I can tell you that this garden looks like someone put a lifetime of work into it! It would be such a shame to strip it down to just grass. Instead, try to keep the unique plants that support local wildlife, especially pollinators. If you decide to purchase, think about incorporating native plants—they're usually low maintenance. Also, snakes and mosquitoes aren't as big a deal if you know how to manage them.
Honestly, it sounds like this could be a lot of work. If you just want a place to relax, consider hiring a landscaping company to help manage it. I’ve done a lot of weeding and even put in a drip irrigation system, which saved time! But if you want to jump in and tackle it yourself, definitely take it one section at a time.
Exactly! Managing a big garden takes lifestyle dedication. Just make sure you’re ready for the upkeep, or like you said, get some professional help!
I totally agree! You'd be surprised how manageable it can be when you focus on native plants and smart landscaping. Plus, keeping the existing garden intact will definitely help your local ecosystem!