Shade for the Backyard

Trees

• Taking care of your existing shade trees or planting new ones to allow them to get established should be the first steps in creating a shady backyard. Hardwood trees such as maple and oak can take dozens of years to grow to shade-bearing height. Pine and spruce trees can reach that point sooner, but beware because these trees shed needles that will acidify the soil and kill your lawn.

Pergolas

• Pergolas are covered walkways constructed of trellises on either side with cross beams overhead. Pergolas are typically used as trellises for ivy or other climbing plants, such as roses and grapes. A pergola is a good way to rapidly create shade for your backyard as you can construct the structure over a weekend, and a grapevine can grow to cover the pergola inside of a season or two. Don't plant fast-growing invasives such as English Ivy to avoid constant pruning.

Arbors or Gazebos

• If you are intending to create shade for your backyard to accommodate a sitting area or an outdoor picnic spot, choose an arbor or a gazebo, which are freestanding structures that have a covered roof and can also be used to grow climbing plants or vines. These make good additions to an outdoor space and can be constructed over a long weekend.

Awnings

• If you have a patio attached to your house and you are looking for both a shaded outdoor sitting area and the energy savings inherent in keeping the sun off of your house walls, you can construct an awning. Awnings are made of canvas or metal slats and can run the length of your patio, creating a shady, rainproof sitting area while simultaneously reducing the temperature in the rooms across the back of your house.