Speaking of naked and exposed, I am assuming that there is a possibility that these people are – in addition to the BIG fencing – fencing that surrounds the lower part of their personal property. Yeah? Why? Do they not trust their neighbors, which are dependent on the division of community safety? Maybe you are not certain that the fence is really BIG big enough to do its job? Or maybe they want the privacy of their personal enclosure that really allow them to be … ahem … Not so naked and exposed in the comfort of your garden.

So we use fences for security and privacy. OK, realizing the necessity of all semi-adherent seven points more than three seconds to clear each and every one of them may not be all that effective in eliminating mischievous marauders. But what the hell, if you feel better …

Lawn Care – Your lawn is the key to a beautiful back-yard oasis. It is the foundation that ties together all of the other amenities in your yard. Start early on planning to grow a plush thick green carpet of grass. Preparation of the ground and soil is important as well as the choice of what type of grass you prefer. A maintenance program will help to ensure your lawn stays healthy and the investment in your lawn is enjoyed for seasons to come.

Landscaping – This is more than just mulching an area and putting in some potted plants. Landscaping is like jewelry for your backyard. You start off with a plan for the spaces to be used, to what types of plants and colors will complement your backyard. In planning you have a variety of options on design, materials, plants, colors that should be thought through.

Gardens – A more personal addition to your backyard is a garden. Gardens can be as regular or exotic as you want them to be it makes them almost an extension of you, the gardener. From what type of garden you choose; to the type of plant, flower, herb, fruit or vegetable you choose to plant and grow. Not to be forgotten is the pride showing off your healthy garden can give you.

When I was growing up, we had a metal garden gate around our house. We had it for security, not decoration. It always looked uncomfortable and foreboding. I know that it should have made me feel safer, but it didn’t. Instead, it made me feel locked in as surely as the world was locked out.

I thought that all metal fences and gates were like this ” that all they did was make the world feel divided and uncomfortable. It took me a while to realize how much of a difference design makes. A wrought iron gate has a much different feel than a simple steel one.

The first time I saw a really nice wrought iron garden gate was actually at the local cemetery. I had a friend who used to like to go down there to get away from everything, and one day he took me along with him. From outside, the wrought iron garden gates were foreboding and intimidating, but from the inside they made us feel protected and peaceful. The cemetery was a restful place, a place of perpetual peace, and the wrought iron railing that surrounded marked it as separate from the rest of the world.