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And to add on to Jim's comment, now there many varieties of dwarf fruit trees that people with smaller yards can plant; even some that you can grow in containers. Check out the columnar apple trees that are planted in front of Portland City Hall.  They take up very little space.  I have a couple in half-barrels in a corner of my yard.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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Penny - does the duplex have a shared yard at all?  Perhaps you could convince the downstairs neighbors to join with you in creating a garden!

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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Here are some photos of last year's back yard garden:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4486815997_4d2fb64b2f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4486816297_80fac94cd5_b.jpg

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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My husband and I moved into our home in Ladd's Addition about 8 years ago.  At that time, the front and back yards were given over entirely to grass.  Since moving in, we have removed more and more lawn each year, replacing the grass with vegetable and flower gardens.  We no longer have any grass in the back yard - instead we have raised beds, arbors and berms in which we grow beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, peas, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, onions, garlic, kale, collards, salad greens, peas, strawberries, blueberries, currants, and grapes.  This year we removed all the grass on one side, and are planting potatoes, horseradish, and more strawberries.  We are down to one small patch of grass in front, under a large shade tree. It is small enough to "mow" with an electric weedwhacker, and next year it will also disappear.  We won't miss it at all.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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