Landscaping for the country yard

by Christopher
(Big Lake, Minnesota, USA)

Nice site Susan.

Our dilemma is this. We have too much space!

We have a large several acre area around our home, and our problem is that it is difficult to determine how much to do and where to start with landscaping for this country yard. I grew up on a city lot with definitive boundaries, so I'm feeling overwhelmed.

I'd like to try and get a handle on it this summer. We have some good ideas that we'd like to try such as adding a pond of the west side as well as a garden railroad.

We are trying to compartmentalize the different sections so we don't get overwhelmed. We also converted about three acres into prairie grasses and wildflowers to reduce maintenance and increase wildlife.

My main question is, what is normally the best place to start when dealing with an oversized project? Near the home or other focal point such as drive, pond, retaining walls, etc.? I assume it's best to focus on one specific area and not work on too many areas at once.

Thanks in advance for any advice at all.



Some Additional Background:

The aerial photograph shows a few of the details that I mention. On the top/north side of the property, my father-in-law always plants rye grass. Last year I planted 150 pine and spruce trees. They were bare root and are represented by the yellow lines.

On the west or left side next to the home, we have a sunken patio surrounded by a boulder wall. This is hidden by the large shadow.

On the bottom or south side, you can see the area of wild flowers as well as the many spruce trees that look like "dots." The east side is very similar as well.

The driveway currently has a teardrop turnaround. I may replace it with a straight shot.

Is there hope for me?