Landscape and planning

My main objective this year is to learn more about the type and quality of the soil, and see where the sun hits. I'd also like to discover what I've already got on the site, further my knowledge of the trees, and hire an arbourist to help prune/explain about said trees.

Our house grading is poor and needs improvement all around. Our roof, soffits, fascia all need replacing, and we'll add eavestroughing at selected locations. I also want to add as many rain barrels as I can afford. Other than the grading, most of our effort this summer will have to be directed towards the house itself.

I do plan to try tomatoes and herbs in a couple locations. We've also order a free tree through the city's Tree program. It is going to be a small native tree, such as a Serviceberry. So I'll need to decide on a site for that.

We're moving from a city rowhouse, and I'll be cutting grass with a mower for the first time in my life. And learning how to care for the lawn.

I also plan to do a pruning regimen where I can to tidy up the trees, especially the overgrown cedars. And I'd like to put railings on the deck.

In general, I need to keep an eye out on drainage patterns and runoff. We have a complicated sloping site, a wet basement, and a ravine... plus the soil may be expansive clay... I may consider weeping tile/ french drain/ dry well/ dry river bed if needed.

In the future, a vegetable garden, lots of shrubs, and a garden bed along the steps are in the cards. Depending on the mowing, I'll probably consider ways to reduce the size of the lawn. I'd like to see a woodland garden at the back/by the ravine.

I would like to retain the woody- ravine feel, and the indoor/outdoor aspects of our ranch house. Privacy and beauty. Horizontal accents to compliment the house. I'd like to improve the "curb appeal" in general. The rear of the house should be an enclave, welcoming. The path to the back needs improving too.