Crazy or no?

[Sheherezade]

We have a small yard on the side of our house. Our backyard is virtually non-existant. There is a steep ravine that is heavily wooded. We are trying to cut some steps in to it like a woodland trail so that we can safely get to the bottom. There's a stream there. We have some deck and patio with retaining walls that jut in to the ravine area. It's nice and private. Our front yard is a tiny patch of grass with two towering trees and a hammock. We front on to a busy village street. The entire yard is fenced.

So....lately, I've been entertaining the idea of ripping out all the grass in the side yard (it doesn't grow well-too shady) and making it more of a garden instead of a yard. Of course, the kids would have less "open space". We couldn't grow many things, due to the shade. We have hostas like you'd never imagine, though, and a small fountain area under another towering tree.

Am I crazy? I'm not the greatest gardener, but I can't help but think that I could have a big garden or this small grass space. The big garden holds more appeal to me. Would I be killing resale if we ever did sell? Would my kids hate it - or like it since it would be interesting? Any ideas about what could be done with a space about 50' by 70' with lots of shady trees surrounding it? It's an unlevel area with perrineal border gardens right now.

And where the heck is Arborea? I miss her!

I've been meaning to PM her and see what is up.

I don't think you would be crazy. I hate, well dislike, grass and prefer gardens or beds to it. So I'd go for it. You could also grow lettuces and cooler weather plants there or have a little space for a coldframe.

Do you kids have any other grass to play on and do they use the side yard that much? What about the dog?

[Sheherezade]

The dog. Forgot about him.

Well, he could roam around on the paths, couldn't he?

I take him to the woods everyday for a nice long walk. He gets lots of wilderness time. (Terror to the squirrels.) Now, the kids are a different matter. My daughter just likes to swing, and we think we could handle that with one of those giant trees I keep mentioning. My son likes to kick the soccer ball and throw the baseball. More and more, those are ending up beyond the fence and in the street. I'm thinking he may have to confine that to a ball field. Maybe that's not fair to him, though.

Did I mention that it's very ugly grass?

I'm not saying a dog needs the grass but if you want him to do his business there rather than off the paths sort of thing. The back area sounds like it gives him plenty of room to roam. My kids play off the grassy areas as much as they are on it.

Dig up the ugly grass! See what happens (easy to say when I don't have to do the digging ).

[PrincessFiona]

My late vote on this matter is for the garden! Perhaps...pictures would help us all decide for you :>

kris