Now it’s just a hammock and some wildflowers—way less stress.
That’s basically where I landed, too. When we finished our place, I had this whole Pinterest board of raised beds and fancy compost bins... reality check came fast. Between work and just settling in, I barely managed to keep the grass from turning into a jungle. The only thing I planted that survived was a patch of sunflowers my kid brought home from school.
I do kind of miss the idea of homegrown tomatoes, but honestly, having a simple yard has been a relief. We ended up putting in a fire pit and some Adirondack chairs—way more use out of that than any garden so far. Maybe one day I’ll try veggies again, but for now, I’m just enjoying not having another chore list outside. Sometimes less really is more, especially on a flat lot where you can see everything at once.
FIRE PIT WINS OVER GARDEN BEDS EVERY TIME
I totally get where you’re coming from. I went down the same Pinterest rabbit hole—dreamed up all these elaborate veggie beds, but after pricing out lumber and soil, reality hit hard. Ended up just mulching around the trees and calling it a day.
If you ever do want to dip your toe back into gardening without making it a huge project, I found that doing a couple big pots near the patio works way better than trying to manage a whole bed. Tomatoes and peppers do fine in containers, and you can move them around if you need more sun. Plus, way less weeding.
Honestly, a flat lot is perfect for keeping things simple. I’m all about low-maintenance now—some gravel paths, a few solar lights, and a spot to sit with a drink. The fancy garden can wait until I’ve got more time... or maybe when the kids are older and want to help dig.
BUILDING ON LEVEL GROUND: STEP-BY-STEP TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF A FLAT LOT
Totally hear you on the fire pit vs. garden beds—sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle (or cost) to go all-in on raised beds. A flat lot really does make it easier to keep things chill.
- Gravel paths are a game changer for low-maintenance and they help with drainage, too.
- If you ever want to add some structure, edging with bricks or pavers can break up the space without much effort.
- I’ve seen folks use modular seating around a fire pit so you can rearrange as needed—super flexible for gatherings or just hanging out solo.
- One thing I’d add: even a small patch of wildflowers or native grasses can look great and basically take care of themselves. Less mowing, more color.
Honestly, sometimes less is more. There’s something nice about having open space to just relax... or chase after kids when they’re little.
BUILDING ON LEVEL GROUND: STEP-BY-STEP TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF A FLAT LOT
I’ve worked on a few flat lots where the owners wanted to go all-out with terracing and retaining walls, but honestly, sometimes it just complicates things for no real benefit. One project stands out—family wanted a big veggie garden, but after a season of fighting weeds and hauling soil for raised beds, they ended up scaling back to a couple of simple gravel paths and some native shrubs. Way less work, and it actually looked better.
Gravel’s underrated for sure. It’s not just about drainage—it also gives you that satisfying crunch underfoot (maybe that’s just me). I’m with you on the modular seating too. Had a client who used those lightweight concrete blocks and wood planks around their fire pit so they could move things around depending on the crowd. Super practical.
Wildflowers are great, but I’d say don’t underestimate how much even a small patch can spread if you pick aggressive varieties... learned that one the hard way. Sometimes “less is more” really does win out, especially if you want space to just hang out or let kids run wild.
BUILDING ON LEVEL GROUND: STEP-BY-STEP TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF A FLAT LOT
I get where you’re coming from about keeping things simple, but I’ve actually found that a little bit of terracing—even on a flat lot—can make a big difference, especially if you’re thinking long-term. Had a client who wanted to keep everything low-maintenance, so we just did one subtle step-up with some reclaimed timber. It wasn’t about fighting the slope (since there wasn’t much), but it helped define zones and made the space feel less like a big blank field.
Gravel’s great, but I’ve seen it get messy if you don’t edge it well or if you’ve got kids who love to kick it around. Sometimes a mix of gravel and permeable pavers works better—less migration, still good drainage.
And about wildflowers... totally agree they can take over, but if you pick the right mix and mow once or twice a year, they’re manageable. Plus, pollinators love them. I guess for me, it’s less about “less is more” and more about “right plant, right place”—sometimes a little structure up front saves headaches later.
