My Spring Project

[Oak Kitten]

It is still below freezing outside, but Spring will be here soon, and I spent the morning conceptualizing the project I want to do this year to enhance my backyard and block the view of my annoying schizophrenic neighbor. I refuse to spend another summer not being able to enjoy my own back yard.

Since local zoning laws limit the height of fences to 6 feet max, I am going to build a series of trellis/planter boxes 4' wide by 8' tall and stagger them as pictured below. I get around the fence height prohibition that way. I plan to put fast-growing flowering vines, like morning glories and clematis in the planter boxes. The way stuff grows down here, they should be covering the trellises by May (at least the morning glories will, I have never planted clematis before).

I already have the birdbath. The Green Man sculpture will cost about $80. The privacy trellis panels (vinyl) cost $30 each. Will build and paint the trellis panel frames and planter boxes myself (with help from Mr. Oak) and I figure I can do the whole thing for less than $500.



http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c70/rbalano/GardenPrivacyScreenJPG.jpg

[DaveM]

You really should put some bright reflective pinwheels on top--facing toward the neighbor's house of course. Some old satellite dishes would be cool, too.

Oh, and when you're out in the back yard.....always wear large mirror sunglasses.

[Eva]

And a helmet where he can see you! :p

But seriously... I think your solution is elegant. Of course we want pictures of the result. And in case Rude Girl picks up a paintbrush to help out, we'll want pictures of that too.

Eva

[mixtymotions]

Some municipalities allow for a 6' fence, plus a 2' trellis atop the fence. Bamboo is very fast growing and would do well in your climate. Grapevines also grow very fast and are less expensive than bamboo. Clematis is lovely, but it takes a while to get established. I have several of the deep purple - they like full sun, with their roots shaded. Honeysuckle is also a fast grower. The fastest growing vine I've planted so far is the Silver Lace - it covered my entire porch in one season. Good luck with your project - I especially like Green Man and have one in my house and one in my backyard.

[Oak Kitten]

Mixty,

Thanks for those suggestions for other flowering vines. I will check them out.

Oak

[DaveM]

Wear coveralls and black aviator sunglasses while installing these. And a hard hat.

[Oak Kitten]

I already have a six foot privacy fence - it is not tall enough, and my neighbor has nailed sheet metal to the side of the fence facing his yard to keep out out our "transmitter beams."

I figure this arrangement will cover about 20 feet across, which will effectively block him from staring at us over the fence and since it will be inside our yard, a few feet away from the fence, he won't be able to do anything do it - not unless he wants to face a tresspassing/vandalism charge.

Oak

[Eva]

Also wear big black rubber gloves and big steeltoed workingshoes. As if you are working with hazardous material, possibly even radioactive. Wear black, orange and bright yellow. Looks very impressive. And don't forget the hardhat! Fence off the area you are working in with red and white tape. And borrow a metaldetector to work with within that fenced off area. Of course throw some coins on the ground so it humms like a geigerteller. Place warningsigns all around in your garden where he can see them. Would a gasmask be too much...?

Eva

PS: Oak, I am taking your problem seriously. I am just being bad. Sometimes that Pirate in me acts up...

[DaveM]

Eva--flawless.

[Oak Kitten]

Gee Eva,

I am really glad you clarified that for me, knowing how I am absolutely devoid of any sense of humor. . .

Oak

[Eva]

Gee Eva,

I am really glad you clarified that for me, knowing how I am absolutely devoid of any sense of humor. . .

Oak
But you are straight... You are allowed to have a sense of humor! ;)

Eva