…And like most births, it was accompanied by long hours of sweat, pain, cursing, and some blood loss ๐. I will let the pictures do the talking for the most part, as this is going to a very picture heavy post of the backyard transformation at my new home.
Map of my backyard as it existed in early March, with proposed patio sketched in. I’m not a fan of all the straight lines, but I’m going to work with what is already in place so much as I can…for this year at least. The vibe will be mainly kitchen garden.Garden in early March. Can you spot a certain someone in the yard? The long unbroken wall of siding is the side of my daughter and SIL’s place. View of garden from corner near patio door. Bowser in shot too, natch! Those are bricks I dug out of the ground, in front of the Pit of Doom. This backyard has provided a few surprises like that.Another Before View. I had to remove all of the irrigation tubing from where my SIL laid it last year, as my garden will have a different configuration.Taken from the cedar deck. Ever the impatient optimist, I am already bringing home shrubs and plants!Bowser is playing with a squeaky ball. One of the first things I did was power wash the siding, the little cedar deck, and the extra concrete slabs I revealed when digging. Another surprise!Modest 2023 Garden goals. Spoiler alert: CRUSHED ‘EM!I decided to start with only 2 raised beds, for growing pole beans and what-have-you (yet to be determined at this stage).My SIL enjoying his successful install of the cattle panel arch. Thank you, Kevin!!!My SIL also did a superior job of laying patio stones for me!Beginning to work my way around the perimeter of the garden, laying cardboard to kill weeds, and then topping with bark mulch. The fern is a volunteer that I don’t have the heart to get rid of.Bowser inspects the laying of the cardboard and the bark mulch. The Trench of Doom (that I am trying to fill up with compostable materials) is in the background . I have already planted my blackcurrant, black raspberries, and elderberries at this point.Wheelbarrow load by wheelbarrow load, I am covering the yard with cedar chip mulch over cardboard. It took close to 40 loads. The hosta and lupin in the far right came up this spring. The daylilies at the back were a gift from my neighbour. There are herbs planted in the pots. The birdbath followed me home from a trip to Buckerfield’s Country Store ๐. On the left in the back is rhubarb and a hydrangea. Weeds pretending to be lawn Lawn be gone!Pergola assembled and in place; many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Retirement Reflections for the help!!!!
So that’s it for the bare bones of this garden. The next garden post will be what it looks like now!
I thought stuff/things were following you home when you visit Home and Garden stores. It seemed like all those things have a mind of their own and you have no say in it.
I guess I could blame Bowser for taking control of my credit card โฆ(๐ค Now thereโs an idea!)
But for now I will stick with: I donโt know how this got here – it must have followed me home from the store!
So many things follow me home when I visit all kinds of stores lately ๐. I (and my wallet) must seem very approachable and friendly, I guess ๐. Thanks, dear Cuzzin Peter! ๐
Very impressive! Everything looks great! I have a walkway of weeds that developed while we were out of the country. Maybe I’ll try the cardboard and chip approach. Not enough cardboard? Time to order stuff from Amazon!
I saved all the cardboard from my kitchen cabinet installation, and from every other package that came to the house since last fall. And I used every last bit of it this springโฆwell, minus the pieces that Bowser tore to shreds ๐คฃ. Thanks, Janis ๐
Hi, Deb – Your garden transformation is incredible. You vision and hard work has truly paid off!!
BTW – Richard has been mistakenly called “Mr. Connolly” before but never “Mr. Retirement Reflections.” That totally makes me laugh out loud!
Hi Deb – excellent to see the help from Kevin, and no doubt the laugh a minute help from Donna and Richard – or Mr and Mrs Retirement Reflections … let alone Bowser’s addition to the extra clean-up. Oh I love the elderberries, blackcurrants and raspberries – AND Rhubarb … me – I’m on my way over – well I give it til next year to settle in!
You’re going to have so much fun with your new garden/allotment/veggie and fruit patch … enjoy – which you will I know. I’m so looking forward to seeing the next post … cheers and congratulations – Hilary
๐ Thanks for giving me (and the garden) a year to settle in! I am actually going to have all of the above this year (fingers crossed the birds donโt get them first!!!). Already having so much fun. Thanks, Hilary ๐
Damn. Thatโs an amazing transformation and so much work! Iโve always used that black weed block fabric to start beds but the cardboard is a good idea. Canโt wait to see the next batch of pics.
Iโve used the fabric before in past gardens and wasnโt pleased with its performance over time. I thought I would try cardboard this time. Itโs more of a weed deterrent than a block, as the cardboard will break down and become soil over time but I find the weeds grow through the cloth as well. What you gonna do? ๐คทโโ๏ธ Weeds will be weeds. Thanks, Rivergirl ๐
Wow, wow, WOW! Deb, this is so impressive and beautiful! You know I had my eye out for Bowser in every photo before even reading your captions. That pup is the spitting image of my beloved Maxie. Thank you for the memories and the inspiration. โค๏ธ๐ฅฐ
What a transformation. Kudos to you for your vision & effort. Gardening is a work in progress. One of my goals is to keep it manageable. I often have to curtail myself with reminders of energy level & ability.
Blood loss too? That’s horrific! ๐ But I agree, what a fabulous transformation. It looks so much better, and the organizational skills you have are what did it (okay, okay, the muscle power too). You can’t fool us with that picture of Bowser and his allegedly playing with the squeaky ball. He’s clearly got a job to do with that hose! – Marty
The garden gods and goddesses often demand a blood offering, unfortunately ๐. Bowser thinks he’s helping and if comic relief is considered help then yes, he is! Thanks, Marty ๐
Eee-gads, lady – what a gardener you are! As per the now-usual, my Like button isn’t working, so I’m instituting a new one – Love it! Can’t wait for your next post to see how things have grown! ๐
DEB!! I absolutely love this!! Your “soul patch” is magnificent! This is how I envision our backyard in the future. Grass-free. We’re slowly getting there. I can’t wait to see the upcomingย pictures!! Way to go, my friend!ย ๐โค๏ธ
Gardens are so cool, but so much work! We’ve lived here 32 years and have been reducing the # of gardens and then this year hired someone to help (Who has not, actually, been that much help). I’m seriously considering moving to a condo.
I had a giggle at your: Crushed modest garden 2023 goals! GO YOU. I know you had a bit of help, but man, this is a big job to tackle. You did great. I love the transformation and can’t wait to see what is next. I mean, how could it get better? A pool with a slide off the roof?
Good question! Lately, when Iโve been watering I keep thinking I see someone/something moving out of the corner of my eyeโฆso I think the faeries have found me and my garden at last ๐. Thanks, Bernie ๐
Wow, Deb, this is a truly ambitious garden (and gardening) project! Bravo, what amazing headway!!
Thank you very much, Jane ๐. It has taken months (and will probably never end, as I keep doing/buying more and more ๐คฃ).
I thought stuff/things were following you home when you visit Home and Garden stores. It seemed like all those things have a mind of their own and you have no say in it.
I guess I could blame Bowser for taking control of my credit card โฆ(๐ค Now thereโs an idea!)
But for now I will stick with: I donโt know how this got here – it must have followed me home from the store!
So many things follow me home when I visit all kinds of stores lately ๐. I (and my wallet) must seem very approachable and friendly, I guess ๐. Thanks, dear Cuzzin Peter! ๐
Wow!! What a project! I’m so impressed! Looking forward to your update!
Thank you, Tracey ๐
Very impressive! Everything looks great! I have a walkway of weeds that developed while we were out of the country. Maybe I’ll try the cardboard and chip approach. Not enough cardboard? Time to order stuff from Amazon!
I saved all the cardboard from my kitchen cabinet installation, and from every other package that came to the house since last fall. And I used every last bit of it this springโฆwell, minus the pieces that Bowser tore to shreds ๐คฃ. Thanks, Janis ๐
That’s an impressive transformation! I’m rather jealous (mine is still at the “first photo” stage it feels like). Can’t wait to see the spring photos.
Thank you, AJ ๐ More coming soon, I promise!
Hi, Deb – Your garden transformation is incredible. You vision and hard work has truly paid off!!
BTW – Richard has been mistakenly called “Mr. Connolly” before but never “Mr. Retirement Reflections.” That totally makes me laugh out loud!
๐ Iโm so thankful for all of your help in bringing my visions to life! Thank you, Donna and Richard ๐
Amazing transformation
Thank you, Sheree ๐
Of course, I’m waiting for the “big reveal”
Patience, my dear ๐. I imagine there will be a few posts forthcoming as things change and grow!
๐
Hi Deb – excellent to see the help from Kevin, and no doubt the laugh a minute help from Donna and Richard – or Mr and Mrs Retirement Reflections … let alone Bowser’s addition to the extra clean-up. Oh I love the elderberries, blackcurrants and raspberries – AND Rhubarb … me – I’m on my way over – well I give it til next year to settle in!
You’re going to have so much fun with your new garden/allotment/veggie and fruit patch … enjoy – which you will I know. I’m so looking forward to seeing the next post … cheers and congratulations – Hilary
๐ Thanks for giving me (and the garden) a year to settle in! I am actually going to have all of the above this year (fingers crossed the birds donโt get them first!!!). Already having so much fun. Thanks, Hilary ๐
Damn. Thatโs an amazing transformation and so much work! Iโve always used that black weed block fabric to start beds but the cardboard is a good idea. Canโt wait to see the next batch of pics.
Iโve used the fabric before in past gardens and wasnโt pleased with its performance over time. I thought I would try cardboard this time. Itโs more of a weed deterrent than a block, as the cardboard will break down and become soil over time but I find the weeds grow through the cloth as well. What you gonna do? ๐คทโโ๏ธ Weeds will be weeds. Thanks, Rivergirl ๐
I like the idea of it breaking down. Iโm constantly ripping up pieces of that fabricโฆ
Layers of newspaper will work as well!
Wow, wow, WOW! Deb, this is so impressive and beautiful! You know I had my eye out for Bowser in every photo before even reading your captions. That pup is the spitting image of my beloved Maxie. Thank you for the memories and the inspiration. โค๏ธ๐ฅฐ
Thank YOU, Natalie ๐ This garden (and Bowser) are certainly filling my days and keeping me out of trouble ๐.
What? No Koi pond! Seriously, this looks fantastic. Congratulations – a pleasant oasis to enjoy for years to come.
How did you know I am pondering introducing a water feature? ๐คฃ Thanks, Suzanne ๐
That is quite the transformation! Lots of work there. Looking forward to seeing it now.
The work never ends, but you know that Kate! Anyhow, it doesnโt feel like work to me. Thank you ๐
When you love what you are doing, it’s not work!
Preach, sister! ๐
Wow, it looks really great. I’m looking forward to your updates about it.
Thank you, Deborah ๐ Iโm looking forward to posting more about this project!
What a transformation. Kudos to you for your vision & effort. Gardening is a work in progress. One of my goals is to keep it manageable. I often have to curtail myself with reminders of energy level & ability.
It helps to set a timer to remind myself to take a break! ๐ Thanks, Mona ๐
Blood loss too? That’s horrific! ๐ But I agree, what a fabulous transformation. It looks so much better, and the organizational skills you have are what did it (okay, okay, the muscle power too). You can’t fool us with that picture of Bowser and his allegedly playing with the squeaky ball. He’s clearly got a job to do with that hose! – Marty
The garden gods and goddesses often demand a blood offering, unfortunately ๐. Bowser thinks he’s helping and if comic relief is considered help then yes, he is! Thanks, Marty ๐
Eee-gads, lady – what a gardener you are! As per the now-usual, my Like button isn’t working, so I’m instituting a new one – Love it! Can’t wait for your next post to see how things have grown! ๐
Thanks, Del ๐ Coming soon!
๐๐ผ
DEB!! I absolutely love this!! Your “soul patch” is magnificent! This is how I envision our backyard in the future. Grass-free. We’re slowly getting there. I can’t wait to see the upcomingย pictures!! Way to go, my friend!ย ๐โค๏ธ
Thank you, Kari! ๐ I can spend all day in this space and never get bored. ๐ Very good for the soul, indeed.
I understand this! Enjoy. ๐
Gardens are so cool, but so much work! We’ve lived here 32 years and have been reducing the # of gardens and then this year hired someone to help (Who has not, actually, been that much help). I’m seriously considering moving to a condo.
Like raising and training a dog, itโs not work if you love doing it ๐. Thanks, Dawn ๐
Beautiful!
Thank you! ๐
I had a giggle at your: Crushed modest garden 2023 goals! GO YOU. I know you had a bit of help, but man, this is a big job to tackle. You did great. I love the transformation and can’t wait to see what is next. I mean, how could it get better? A pool with a slide off the roof?
Oh, donโt go giving me ideas! ๐คฃ Thanks, Suz ๐
Everything looks so lovely!
Thank you! ๐
I hadn’t seen this many before pictures. An impressive transformation but where are the fairies?
Good question! Lately, when Iโve been watering I keep thinking I see someone/something moving out of the corner of my eyeโฆso I think the faeries have found me and my garden at last ๐. Thanks, Bernie ๐
But then I realized that on Insta you call it dragonfly cottage. Big duh.. on me. But fairies are cute too.
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