// Ashley Coon
Crevice Garden & Misc.
// Ashley Coon
Crevice Garden & Misc.
PROJECT
When my mother moved to the Tri-Cities area in East Tennessee, I was determined to renovate both the front and back yards specifically to help her stay active through gardening. Starting with the back yard, the major design challenge was a steep slope that caused erosion issues, shed water too quickly to soak into the dense clay soil, and was a dangerous walking liability especially for the elderly.
The solution was to create a framework of planters and edging that are built on top of the existing slope and backfilled with either new healthy composted soil or woodchips, depending on the function. This creates a terrace condition without compromising the existing slope and allows for the control of water runoff to slow and sink down into the soil. Raised vegetable garden beds form the focal point from the existing back patio, reducing the need to bend. Flat woodchip pathways allow for access on all sides and ease of maintenance.
Each planter provides an opportunity for a theme driven by distance from the back door and available light. The sunniest spots support sun-loving crops, wildflowers, and herbs while the furthest area is mostly part to full shade supporting fern/woodland species. An area was seeded with Dichondra repens (a low-growing non-invasive and hardy groundcover) that serves as a low-maintenance "lawn" for her small dog.
Another major design challenge was the lack of neighbor privacy due to the narrow easements along the side property lines. The solution was to build a privacy screen 2' from the existing fence to maintain side access and to provide scaffolding for vining species to grow up and along it, filling the visual gaps over time. Additionally, pavers were added to visually extend the patio down into the pathway and extend the more stable walking surface.
Materials selected took their cues from the local neighborhood vernacular.
Construction Process