A backyard should be a place where you can unwind and relax. Most of the time, there’s not a lot of shade for this area because of its openness. Without any shade, it would be difficult for you to relax and you probably wouldn’t be able to do most of the activities that you want. There are a lot of ways to add shade to your backyard. However, all of the options come down to your personal needs and preferences. Some homeowners use covers and extended roofs to help lessen the area exposed to sunlight. Since this can be a hectic process, we have decided to list down different ways you can add some shade to your backyard.
Ways to Add Shade in Your Backyard
Plant trees
Planting trees is one of the most eco-friendly ways of adding shade to your backyard. The cost of planting trees can either be cheap or expensive, depending on their species and the labor cost to have them planted.
The best kind of trees that you can choose are evergreen trees which can remain green for more than one growing season. Some of the evergreen trees that you can plant in your backyard are Douglas fir, White pine, False cypress, Leyland cypress, and Yew.
You can also opt for deciduous trees. These usually shed their leaves during the autumn and winter seasons. The downside with deciduous trees is that you’ll have to clean your backyard by the time the colder season rolls around.
Besides these options, you can also choose trees that bear fruit. In most markets, you can buy either seedlings or matured trees. The problem with seedlings is that it can take years before they provide shade to your backyard. On the other hand, buying a mature tree can cost quite a lot but at least you won’t have to wait as long for it to grow.
Install a pergola
This is one of the most affordable options you can use to add shade to your backyard. A pergola is a walkway that has vertical pillars on the sides that support cross beams and open lattices. A pergola can also act as a gazebo.
Most of the time, these are used by landscapers and gardeners to create a more natural and aesthetic look to your backyard. Pergolas only give partial shade to your garden since the cross beams and lattices have no roof above them. To mitigate this, most homeowners get aerial plants or vines to create more shade. You can also use fabrics to cover the top area of your pergola.
You can buy pergola kits at most home improvement stores or if you’re a bit handier, you can make one yourself with some wood and other materials. Another option is to look up pergola designs online if you want to get some possible design ideas.
Plant tall plants and bushes
Getting tall plants and bushes for your backyard is a cheaper alternative to planting trees. Like trees, these plants provide shade because of their height and also act as another design for your backyard. If you combine these with pergolas or gazebos, it can really liven up your backyard area and help make it look less plain. Some of the tall plants and bushes you can plant in your backyard are hydrangeas, arborvitae, bamboo, and bougainvillea.
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