When we first bought out home in 2009, the gardening aspects of it were a neglected mess. I knew it would take a lot of work – and many years – before all the landscaping was at a level that would appeal to us and add some natural beauty to our house. But I didn’t really mind; it was a project I embraced wholeheartedly. I still do. And although there is still so much more to do, things have come a long way since then.
For example, this is what you saw in our backyard that first summer:
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| Nothing to see here, folks, nothing to see... |
And this is what you saw by the end of August 2011, two years later:
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| Hubby and I sit on that swing and enjoy the beauty around us. |
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| There are so many flowers around our home now. |
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| This is where you'll find me hanging out soon. |
We're getting there...slowly but surely!
This year’s gardening season is just around the corner, and I have a list of glorious plans for it. I can’t wait to get down and dirty with Mother Nature!
You have a beautiful garden/yard.
ReplyDeleteIn England, they always say "garden".
In America, we say "backyard".
In Canada, would you call this your backyard before flowers, but your garden after flowers?
(And it is lovely, what a great labor of love you have given it!)
That's exactly it, Kay. I used to call it the backyard. Now it's my garden :) We're doing all the work ourselves (no way can we afford a landscaper), so it's taking a long time. But that's okay. We'll take pride in having built it ourselves.
DeleteOh it is so pretty! I adore flowers and plants, but I kill everything I touch - I think they commit suicide when they see me coming. And yet, my dream is to have a garden like yours!
ReplyDeleteThe best thing for you, Kitten, is a selection of really tough perennials that don't need much attention from you. Typically, the toughest plants are the ones that grow locally naturally.
DeleteYou have made huge progress in only a few short years! I like that larger planting area at the end of your yard. I can see your toad house (I almost bought on the other day) but what is to the left of it - a birdbath? How many different plants/varities do you estimate you have now?
ReplyDeleteWe've put a lot of work in the garden. My husband has been a big help when it comes to digging up new areas to plant in; the rest of the work is left up to me. That large planting area is at the center of our yard. The yard is much longer but the rest of it starts to go downwards; we're somewhat on a hill. So it's not all easy to work with but we manage. Yes, there is a birdbath in the midst of those flowers. I typically have three birdbaths scattered around the garden. and quite a few bird feeders. There is a lot of activity in the summer back there! There are a lot of different plants back there; well over 100. They're scattered all around our property, so you'd never guess there are so many. The majority of them started as tiny little plants, so it's taken a couple of summers for them to grow to a size that you can really appreciate. Some of them still have awhile to go. But that's okay. A small plant only costs a couple of dollars while a larger one can be as high as 15 - 20. No way could we build a garden with such expensive plants! So we're patient...everything eventually grows.
DeleteYou've filled in all that grassy expanse beautifully! Love the riot of colours!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra! It's taken a lot of hard work...but well worth it!
DeleteAll your hard work is paying off. I bet you can't wait for gardening season, I know I can't.
ReplyDeleteYou better believe I can't wait! It'll be nice to have some colour back there...and all the sweet critters that visit!
DeleteOh it's beautiful! So vibrant!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the hours of work and energy that went into such beauty.
I picked up a gardening magazine the other day and started to get excited again:)
Definitely lots of work, but it's a lot of fun, too! Not like cleaning the house...argh... Oh, those darn gardening magazines...they're addictive this time of year. I end up buying more than I can manage to read and they sit around for months. But they're all so beautiful!
DeleteWow, I'm impressed, it is truly lovely. You would find me out in that swing every day, absorbing all that natural beauty. :) I've been avidly going through all of my old Mother Earth News magazines, I've got plans galore! I'm glad the spring fever hit in February, it gives me enough time to prepare before I start digging in the dirt. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melinda. We sure do love the way it looks out back when the garden is at its best. It's fun to have plans, isn't it? I think a garden is a continuous project. It's constantly evolving.
DeleteEven the grass looks livelier in your 2011 pictures. I like how you’re starting slow though. Your vibrant flowers are also a startling accent to all that green.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeremy. We're taking it one year at a time. There's only so much we can do each gardening season. But it's slowly coming together.
DeleteWow! Your garden is great! Luscious green grass and colorful flowers around the area… it’s pretty! It really looks vibrant and lively. Can you share us your secret behind this beautiful garden of yours? I’m sure many would love to hear some great tips from you! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shona. Not too many secrets here. Just a lot of hard work and plenty of TLC. What has worked best is getting out there regularly to check up on the garden and do what needs doing, which includes the tedious chore of getting rid of weeds!
DeleteSo how’s your latest garden setup? I bet it’s far more appealing than these images. You are super lucky to have a spacious lawn where you can place your favorite plants, flowers, a swing, and more! That house is lucky as well for having a talented person like you!
ReplyDeleteIt's coming along. There is still a lot of work to do, probably years worth, but it'll be worth all the trouble once it's done. One gardening season at a time...
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