(Warning... this is long) For any of you who don't know my story, I'll do a short recap. My sister, brothers and I inherited our family home in 2008 after our mother passed away. We have 2.5 acres in a very small rural town (population 500) in Southeast Texas (between Houston and Beaumont). My sister and 2 brothers live in California. One brother lives about 45 minutes away with his wife. The other brother lives about an hour away on his sail boat. I moved back into the house (with my Hubby) just before Thanksgiving of 2010. I was given permission to fence off a section of the yard just for me and my flower garden. I'm going to start a little before the beginning. Before I could claim my area, there was some work to be done around the property. First job: Tear down my Dad's old workshop that housed all sorts of old building materials, tools, junk a car... and a few treasures. My Dad passed away in 1985 and we all just started putting our junk and stuff in there... so it was time for it to go. By mid-January 2010 it was completely gone-through and tore down. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) By the end of March 2010, my brother replaced it with a metal building to store his "junk" and boat stuff. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) He added a concrete pad next to it so we'd have a place to hang-out when we bar-b-que on my Dad's big old pit. He also had to add more rock to the driveway, cut down a couple of trees, remove some stumps. And back then (when it actually rained around here), we were having a problem with standing water. So, he did some dirt moving and added some drainage pipes. He then replaced the fence that separates the yard from the pasture. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) All during this work, I was trying to decide on what section of yard to claim... and how much. So I kept an eye on the sun patterns etc. So, when all that work was completed, it was time for me to "stake my claim". By the end October 2010, hubby built my fence. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Along with my section of the yard, I got to claim the garage as my storage building. We were living in a trailer park and all my plants were in containers. Our plan was to move the plants into the garage just before the first chance of frost and we'd move into the house shortly afterwards. This was my garden area at the trailer park. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And here are most of the plants tucked in the garage for the winter. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Now, comes the fun part... the progress along with "before & after" photos. I tried getting them from the same location/angle. We moved into house the weekend before Thanksgiving. And it didn't take long for me to start on my garden. By the first week of December, I started building the flower beds. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) First project of the new year, I laid out the "butterfly garden" bed. It didn't do as well as I had hoped for. But the butterflies and caterpillars enjoyed what flowers I did manage to grow. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) In February, we started on a privacy fence to hide my neighbors junk from view. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Here's the archway & gate that was added in March. The Seven Sisters Rose has started to climb over it and the Trumpet Vine has started to climb also. (Behind the gate is a compost bin). ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Also made a bed on the south side of the garage in February. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) In March, I started getting the potted plants into the ground. I also added an area for a succulent garden bed (it was outside of "my area" which was approved by the others). ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) This was my "water corner" in April. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) By May, everything was planted and starting to grow. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Hubby built me a potting table. I wish I had taken a photo of this area when we moved in. It's where I had all my junk piled up over the winter and it was horrendous! In the background, you can see the rain water collection barrel. (Also, Hubby recently painted the storage building.) ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) This is July. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And then the "water trough fountain" was added on the "back side" of the water corner. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) You can see the little "solar powered bird bath/fountain" that was added (something else "outside" of my area) and the succulent garden in the background. Thankfully, my siblings LOVE what I've done so far and have not complained about me doing things outside of my fenced in area. I now refer to this as "coloring outside of the lines"! These are from August with their "before" photos. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) These overviews are from October. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) So... that's pretty much a wrap-up of my first year of gardening at the family home. I feel that this is just the "skeleton" of my garden area. Now I get to fill those empty spaces with new beds, plants and cute stuff! I've learned SOOO much in this short time, but the biggest lesson I've learned is: when you have the opportunity to claim as much space as you want for your garden... get more than you think you'll ever want or need! And last, but not least... Thanks to everyone here that has given me answers, advice and encouragement!
Cherylad what a great photo series. I really enjoyed seeing what was and what it now has become. Very nice, very nice indeed. You did a great job. What a neat story.
WOW!! To see that so much has happened this year and to see it all at once, a fantastic year. We have followed through the year in bits and pieces, it really looks great, especially the before and after. A photo essay in gardening, Congratulations Cheryl. A job you can be proud of. I hope your brothers appreciate all the hard work, especially the dragon. It will be hard to outdo yourself next year. Take a rest, you deserve it. Jerry
Oh WOW, seeing the individual photos over the last few months really didn't prepare me for how the total garden has turned out. It is really fantastic. If I come for a visit can I sit in that double swing and watch you garden?
cherylad, Well you may have warned us that this was long but I don't think anyone will be complaining. That is perfect and makes me soooo jealous. You did good Girl.......all of it is beautiful. Can't imagine what it will look at the end of next year. Barb in Pa.
Thanks everybody! Tooty..... hopefully the story will continue for many years to come! Jerry..... I think I have tamed "the dragon"! I had a "extra" Texas Star Hibiscus and asked if he wanted it planted near his building. He exclaimed "You bet!" So if anyone ever has a dragon... just know that you can tame them with flowers! Whenever my other brother visits, you can find him sitting at the picnic table with a smile on his face. I guess I'll get my rest on really cold and/or wet days. Other than that, I've got plans to make the beds along the fence deeper. And I think I want the Daylily bed expanded. And... oh well... lots of stuff I can do over the wintertime. Toni...You do realize the the first thing planted were the Dutch Irises you sent me! I can't wait to see them again this Spring. And wait a minute... why do you get to sit in the swing and watch me work? LOL How about we both sit and relax with an "adult beverage" instead? Barb... I'm glad I took lots of photos... and not just of individual plants (although I did that too). It is fun to see what all was done in a year. And next year, I sure hope I can make some nice additions. Kathy... yeah... I love before & afters too! Glad you enjoyed them.
I've just come in from an evening out with friends. What a wonderful surprise to see your photographs Cheryl. I've been following the progress in your garden through your posts but seeing them all together and with before and after shots makes me appreciate just how much work you've put in. I can hardly believe that it's the same plot of land as everything looks so good. You must be delighted with your work and feel proud every time you walk around your grounds.
Wow! Wow! You've done a lot of work there. It looks so nice already. I remember some of your early postings but seeing them put in order like this brings a different perspective. This is a very nice post indeed.
I love before and after photos!! Looking good Cherylad, makes me wonder what you have planned for next year!
Thanks Eileen, Droopy and Netty! I am totally thrilled that I have this space to garden. But mostly, I'm thankful for the opportunity. To me, the most dramatic "before" was that that tiny little space at the trailer park. I look at that photo and count my blessings! Hmmm... look out the kitchen window and see that? Or look out the window and see what I have now? Yep... I've got it too good! Netty... lots of ideas in my head. But like I said earlier, I have to deepen some beds, specifically the one's where the Pride of Barbados are planted. They have those beautiful blooms... up high... and nothing showing down low. So I want to add some more flowers at the bottom. And I'm pretty sure I want to expand the bed for the Lilies. I'd like to add some Orientals among the Asiatic and Daylilies. And I've got one corner where the Bouganvillea is that needs a border or something to tie it in with the other beds. And I've been thinking about a planter box around the base of the pecan tree. And then there's the pathway I'd like to do. And... well...so on and so on! :-D Thanks again everyone... you all inspire me!
Cheryl, You have done an amazing job! that was a lot of work. Everything looks as if you had been working on it for years for those results. Congratulations!
This is seriously awesome Cheryl. You are an inspiration! Really enjoyed the before and after photos and appreciate the time you must have put in into creating them. May your garden continue to prosper!
Thanks Carolyn. I didn't feel like work... well, maybe a few times when my back was aching! :-D Frank... I began working on the "after" photos in August when it was too hot to do anything. Gave me a good excuse to sit inside at the computer in the AC! And then when it was slow at work, I pieced everything together. At least I looked busy at work! And you deserve a BIG thank you for creating and maintaining this great forum where I turn to every day for help and inspiration!
Wonderful post Cheryl. I am so glad you gave us this summary of the last few years. I have enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your photos but this one is particularly impressive. Loved the before & after photos.
