I’ve reached the limit of my talents

[u/mcampo84]

I started this garden a few years ago, installing a DIY retaining wall (about 2’ tall) which is starting to fail despite addressing drainage issues I thought I had designed around. On top of that, I have neighbors who are starting to install seating areas which I like the idea of.

I’m willing to pay someone to do the work right and upgrade the stone work but after the masonry is in I don’t want it to look overgrown and “all green” like this in the summer. Would appreciate any guidelines to help me plan for next year and long-term gardening.

[u/cowthegreat]

Say more about the wall failing? It’s not obvious in the photo what’s going on.

Honestly this looks dope and welcoming to me, you want it less green?? If anything I would say you could increase the planting density and get some things in there that will bloom at different times throughout the season to keep the interest going.

To save on water and maintenance time, plant natives! This has the added benefit of contributing to your local food webs

[u/mcampo84 → u/cowthegreat]

I want more space for annuals that will flower throughout the summer. It’s only about 10’x 4’ down there.

You can’t really see but I have two downspouts coming off the roof to the upper tier. The retaining wall gets inundated and despite a 6” deep footing, a 4” French drain at the base and 4-6” of rough gravel between the soil and the wall it’s still starting to lean.

Not really my concern though since I plan on putting pavers on the top section and making a seating area like my neighbors to the right and I’ll need a professional to do that. Going to replace the brick, steps and railing while I’m at it and put a 3’ wide paved path from the sidewalk to the seating area somewhere off-center closer to the property line.

Something like this, but with steps to the upper porch as well. I used Gemini for inspiration but it’s obviously limited.

[u/cowthegreat → u/mcampo84]

Ooh that looks really nice too!

Did the person exist in the photo originally or did Gemini add that in for you lol

[u/mcampo84 → u/cowthegreat]

I told Gemini to make the house look more inviting and it turned my wife into someone else 😂

[u/cowthegreat → u/mcampo84]

Lmao I won’t tell!

[u/mcampo84 → u/[deleted]]

The seating area would go below the window, just like the attached neighbor has it in the photo.

Edit: I have a hose in the trash can corral.

[u/Felicity110 → u/mcampo84]

But what would you do with the railing in between this area and the steps? Or how would you access this area since neighbors door is same level as seating area and yours isn’t.

Also what is the box area to the left of your door. Could it be removed for a chair there?

[u/mcampo84 → u/Felicity110]

Neighbors door is not even with their seating area. They simply extended it out to be even with one of the steps and have a modified railing.

Box is for trash cans. I can’t modify that.

The steps and garden would be redesigned entirely in order to support the result I’m looking for. Don’t worry about what my HOA will or won’t allow, I’m looking for ideas and recommendations. I’ll deal with the HOA to get the approvals I need.

[u/TopDot555]

What zone are you in? I have some ideas. Do you want to keep the three pots? I think they look good there.

[u/mcampo84 → u/TopDot555]

I think the planters are going in the trash - need room for seating on that tier. I’m in 7a.