The Backyard "Death Zone"

Here is a photo of our backyard when we first moved in. The "landscaping" included a clump of ugly aloe, three grapefruit trees, a fruiting olive tree, and miscellaneous parched weeds. We ended up removing one of the grapefruit trees that was beyond saving and we thought we would need to remove another one but once we started watering the trees all of them perked up and now look full and lovely. The grapefruit trees provide delicious fruit and there are usually olives on the olive tree although we don't use them. The trees provide great shade and create a little "outdoor room" for seating during the heat of summer. Since I enjoy gardening I have added a vegetable and herb garden and have created a "barrio garden" under the trees for container plants. Since this area is shady and cooler during the hot months I have added houseplants and succulents as well as herbs such as ginger, bay, and cardamom. I enjoy using "found objects" as accents in this garden. The photo to the right shows the backyard as it now stands but, of course, we have plans to change things in the future. We will build raised garden beds (it gets harder and harder to bend over as I age), an outdoor kitchen, and also to plant an orange tree. I'd also like to cover a portion of the wall with a tile mosaic. This yard is quite large so this photo is only of the western end. Notice that the clump of aloe is also gone. It was so hideous and unfriendly. A person could have been killed tripping over it in the dark!