No privacy. Ideas?

[Anonymous]

Bought a house on a double yellow lined road expecting to be here less than 8 years...

Prices went up, rates went up, inflation went up. Now we couldn't afford even a nice-ish house in a place we'd want to live. We're stuck here unless we want to move really far out and commute... or move out of the DMV entirely.

Our family has so little privacy here (three kids under 10) and I didn't realize how much it would bother me. We spent money planting trees and bushes in some spots, but they're not growing fast enough and at this rate it'll be another 10 years before they're even halfway grown in. Teeny little back patio. All of our yard space is in the front

Any ideas on how to create more privacy? Should we invest in more landscaping?

[Anonymous]

Landscaping is really your only option in the front yard.

[Anonymous]

Louvre fencing with vines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bought a house on a double yellow lined road expecting to be here less than 8 years...

Prices went up, rates went up, inflation went up. Now we couldn't afford even a nice-ish house in a place we'd want to live. We're stuck here unless we want to move really far out and commute... or move out of the DMV entirely.

Our family has so little privacy here (three kids under 10) and I didn't realize how much it would bother me. We spent money planting trees and bushes in some spots, but they're not growing fast enough and at this rate it'll be another 10 years before they're even halfway grown in. Teeny little back patio. All of our yard space is in the front

Any ideas on how to create more privacy? Should we invest in more landscaping?

It does take two or three years before new plantings really take off.

[Anonymous]

Buy larger, fast growing trees. They're expensive but you'll get the instant privacy screen you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

How much space do you have for a hedge?

[Anonymous]

Can you fence the front yard and then add plants on both sides to improve the height? I'd do a dense multi height garden in the setback.

What are you seeking privacy from? Car, sidewalk, neighbors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you fence the front yard and then add plants on both sides to improve the height? I'd do a dense multi height garden in the setback.

What are you seeking privacy from? Car, sidewalk, neighbors?

+1
Are you out there nude or something? By “privacy” do you mean noise?

[Anonymous]

Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

What is the hedge made of and when did you plant it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

[Anonymous]

You mean visibility, traffic noise, or safety?

I would come up with ideas for how your kids would really use the space like rooms - ie, tree swing area, chalk area, rock garden area, wildflower garden, veggie box. Then section the yard off accordingly, I would not do a wall of evergreens along the front-that generally presents security issues and just diminishes curb appeal - but you have your zones you can do some strategic mix of sound and or vision screening of the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

What is the hedge made of and when did you plant it?

They were here when we moved in four years ago. Looks like a mini Laurel of some kind all along the front. DH is convinced they're not growing taller because of the lack of light due to the massive oak trees overhead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

I wanted to do that. We planted some arbovitae last year and they haven't grown at all in a year. Not at all (I'm measuring). We spaced them three feet apart. How long will it take for them to actually grow? Maybe I should post that question to the lawn and garden board. I'd like to enjoy the privacy now, not 10 years from now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You mean visibility, traffic noise, or safety?

I would come up with ideas for how your kids would really use the space like rooms - ie, tree swing area, chalk area, rock garden area, wildflower garden, veggie box. Then section the yard off accordingly, I would not do a wall of evergreens along the front-that generally presents security issues and just diminishes curb appeal - but you have your zones you can do some strategic mix of sound and or vision screening of the road.

I like this a lot. I'm going to give it some thought.