Side Yards

Side Yard Garden

Photo:  Kristi Clemmer

By Debbie Roland and Emmy Ulmschneider, Master Gardeners

If you live in a newer development in West Texas you may have a very small space between your house and the next, known as a side yard.  However, if your home is older your side yard may be fairly spacious.  Lately several people have asked what they can do to make this space more usable. 

First, you need to sit there and see what your needs for that space could be.  Draw a map of the area showing exact dimensions of usable space.  Walk out at different times of the day and see how much sun the area actually gets.  Is one part in the shade part or all the time?  Is there a reflection off the neighbor’s metal roof that could cause even higher heat in July and August?

Do you want roses, vegetables, flowers, bushes or a mix?  A side yard is a perfect place to add a curved pathway or patterned brick walkway to make the space feel less like a tunnel.  An arbor or gate is a good choice and can be focal point making the area seem more spacious.  A bench or chair with a favorite statue can draw the eye and create a resting place.  Any hardscape such as a tall arbor will draw the eye upward.  Using hardscape also means less maintenance which in our opinion is a win/win situation.

Drive around and look at side yards that appeal to you and search the internet for inspiration.  Use the map you have prepared and draw to scale what you think you might want.  Be sure your ideas are to scale with your house (and your neighbors) and the area itself.  The materials you use should fit in with the style of your house. 

We have one Master Gardener who has converted her side yard to a vegetable garden using raised beds.  It is very attractive and provides needed space she couldn’t find anywhere else.  The area does not get full sun which is perfect when raising vegetables.  Most vegetable packets say they require full sun but here that is only about 6 hours a day and still may require shade cloth during the high heat of late summer.

An added pathway will keep the area from being muddy or getting worn down.  Pavers are available at big box stores in interesting shapes and sizes.  Add ground cover down the edges of your pathway to soften the edges of the path.

Cute planters mixed with string lights can make it interesting and help with trip hazards since these spaces tend to be dark and narrow.  Vines growing on a trellise are easy options too.  Consider Passion Vine or Purple Hyacinth Vine since both grow well in our area. 

Use your imagination and create a space you have dreamed about and can enjoy. 

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information, and our blog for access to past articles, is available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources”.