About a year and a half ago, my menfolk dug out a large island in our backyard.

I have a long yard that had some trees at the far end, but nothing near the house. My long, boring expanse of grass left the yard bare and devoid of interest. Plus, there was a lot of grass to mow, so an island was a perfect solution.

There are a few things to take into consideration before you start unearthing large areas of turf. First, assess the placement of the island. Consider the traffic patterns of your space. Will it obstruct any activities? For example, an area usually used for a volleyball court, where the kids practice soccer, or where rouge basketballs could crush plants.

Once you have designated the area, you will need to think about the size and shape of the island. A square island gives a more formal feel, whereas a curved, irregular shape (such as a kidney shape) gives the island a more natural appearance. Use brightly colored flagging tape or twine to mark off the area before you start to dig.

This will give you the ability to walk around the island and see how it will look from all angles. Take into account the mature size of the plants that will fill the space. A common mistake is making the island too small. The size should not only accommodate all the plants you have selected, but also balance the overall space.

Select the plants and features that will fill the island and make a rough drawing of the placement of each item. It doesn’t need to be drawn to scale, but you should make notations of the mature size of plants and the dimensions of other structures — yard art, rocks or trellises — you will be adding to the island. This will reduce the chance of either overcrowding or planting to sparsely.

This will also keep a vivid imagination in check. I had one plan drawn up with a full-blown waterfall feeding into a pool where I could sit and cool my feet after a hard day of gardening. A more realistic approach was a cohesive design that actually fits my space and the effort I am willing to put forth to maintain that space.

Regardless of particular plant selection, the layout should follow some very basic guidelines. It is important to keep in mind that island plantings could be viewed from all sides, unlike traditional flowerbeds that generally have a backdrop, such as a fence or structure.

Taller plants that usually would be put to the back, instead would be planted in the middle of an island bed. As with a traditional bed, smaller plants would then be placed in front and continue to decrease in size toward the edges. Large trees or shrubs could also be placed at each end to serve as anchors for the island.

Choose plants that will vary not only in height, but in texture, color, contrast, form and bloom times. Know when and how the sun hits the different sections of the island and plant accordingly. Don’t forget to consider the shade that will be cast from trees, larger shrubs, or structures. Leave a small pathway to non-plant items so they can be maintained without having to trample on plants to get to them.

Cutting away portions of lawn to create the island doesn’t keep the grass from growing back. After removing the sod initially, edge regularly to keep the grass from creeping back into the island. Plastic edging material could also be added to impede grass growth, as can stones or brick, depending on the look you are trying to achieve.

You could create your island oasis to be simple or extravagant, but it will surely be a beautiful focal point in the yard. Until next week, happy gardening.

— Irland, a member of the Limestone County Master Gardeners, can be reached at kippirland@hotmail.com. For more information on the Limestone County Master Gardeners, visit http://mg.aces.edu/limestone.