Backyard remodel

[LiberalEsto]

9. What about creating a central patio with pea gravel or mulch?

Then you could put in a variety of native plants around the sides of the patio area, adding to them every year or two. A local plant nursery could recommend natives that would survive with minimal watering.

If it's not prohibited in your area, you could recycle "gray water" from laundry, showers or dish washing to water the new plants until they're established.

You could also think about getting some large stones to add interest.

If there are walls surrounding your back yard, see if you can get permission to paint a mural on at least one wall. You could paint green plants and flowering vines, for example.

I mentioned the pea gravel because it would let water drain through when it does rain.