We dug out the grass, and are happier viewing 2 corners of our backyard garden which now remind us of Japan and Italy.  We made a small intaeractive zen garden and also a piazzetta fontana encircled with citrus and olive trees.  We also grow strawberries, apples, figs, apricots (when pollination is not interrupted by rain), persimmons, pears, cherries and also lavender, mint and many other herbs.  Veggies are grown in wine barrels.