Thursday, May 16, 2013

A Step Back


I frequently get comments questioning the size of our property, or suggesting we must live on a large piece of land.  We do not.  We live on a standard 50 by 100 city lot.  The yard shrunk quite a bit when we put an addition on the back of the house in 2007, when I was pregnant with The Girl.  But I've also removed almost every piece of sod over the last 12 years, including the parking strip, in order to make room for more plants.

I do a lot of close up plant pictures 'cause I'm constantly feeling like something needs to be done in the yard, or some corner isn't quite picture perfect yet.  But today I'm gonna take a step back and show you the whole picture.  A lawn that needs to be mowed, the compost bin in the corner, kid toys laying around, and all.  I didn't get every part of the yard, but it's a start, for those of you who have asked.

First up, the front yard.






The south side that I talk about all the time.
Look close at what The Girl is holding.
I'm creating a monster.






This is looking toward the front gate, that was pictured above, from the backyard.


At the end of the pathway, in the backyard, is the shed and the kid corner.





Here it is from another angle.


Not a lot of color goin' on yet.
Unless you count the flamingo.
 




From the kid corner looking north, toward the rest of the yard


The back bed, which is the east end of the lot.







East bed, looking north.


Looking west, from the back bed, toward the back of the house.



The north side and the fire pit area.





Border between the fire pit area and the deck.


Looking south, toward the kid corner, from the deck.


The deck from the patio.






The patio is a nightmare right now, so I'll give you a shelf picture.  :o)


So there ya go.
The yard in a nutshell.
I'll try to do better about showing the whole picture.
You're trying to figure out where in the heck I put 96 impatiens, aren't you?
Once the annuals start fillin' in, I'll get some pictures of the areas I missed.
Now, I'm attempting to round things up for a long weekend.
I'll be unplugged for three days, so see ya'll on Monday.
 

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10 comments:

  1. I tend to take close up photos in my garden as well, especially since we haven't been at our home very long to improve things but I have made a fair amount of progress replanting some flower borders this Spring and I should be able show a lot more of the yard. Your garden is like a retreat ~ I can tell it has been a huge labor of love over the years and it is really paying off. Have fun unplugging this weekend!

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  2. I love your yard so much and the fact that it doesn't have a lot of lawn makes me love it even more. Our place is all lawn, I swear, and I hate cutting it. Ugh. I'm amazed at how your gardens always look so good, the succession of it I guess I mean. Ours look good in intervals, then crappy when stuff dies back. :( (I was really glad to see a camera in The Girl's hand and not a glass of wine)

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  3. Your yard is SO gorgeous, Mindy!!! I'm super jealous. I've always wanted a yard full of pretty plants and flowers just like that. Unfortunately, I'm a plant serial killer. The kiddos are just adorable :)

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  4. So many wonderful nooks and crannies to explore! Thanks for sharing the "whole" picture. You're an amazing gardener. If you're ever in Central Florida, feel free to stop by and design a backyard for me!
    Enjoy your weekend!

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  5. Oh I love that kids corner...I love everything! All of your work has made your property so lush and layered! I am amazed at all of the goodness in every corner!!! Love what your daughter is holding!!! Ha I laughed today when I took the beans for a walk...we were walking past a neighbors house and my daughter said hmmm...that would be a good place for a tree! Get em while their young! Have a great weekend!!!

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  6. Your garden is so cool, Mindy--I love the potting bench and the little white lights on the tree trunk and branches.

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  7. Seriously amazing - I wear it's an oasis compared to our holed filled, plant eaten yard - thank you dog - your yard is really just beautiful

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  8. It all looks so lush and peaceful! I love how you have created little garden rooms and separate areas for different functions. It is like a little paradise. Love your potting bench and all your little treasures here and there. Thank you for the tour, it was fun! xx

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  9. Now this is what I want my yard to be like, but with all the California heat, it's hardly possible. My water bill already goes up dramatically each summer.

    Love your garden! It looks like such a happy place. It's nice to see the kids and the dog in the pictures.

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  10. Absolutely amazing! I love it! So much work there but it's like a fairy garden! :)

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