Since we've owned our home - I've had really good intentions of growing our own vegetables each spring/summer. (Yes, I do realize that gardening isn't technically a craft - but it's working with your hands so I'm thinking it can count for now... stay with me!) Only problem is... well, there are actually a lot of problems!
We purchased our 1920's craftsman style home in the Fall of 2008. Everything was in really good shape for the age of the home, but the yard (both front and back) was a little (lot) bit of a disaster!
The backyard was a hot mess. Kind of jungle-like actually!
Our first summer here the back yard was top of the list to fix up. We needed a space for Bella to roam, and for us to entertain. So the jungle turned into this...
New fence, new patio, new grass, etc. etc.
That same year I got a little crazy with starting seeds and trying to grow things. I think I had about 20 different types of vegetables and herbs growing. Not one plant survived. Seriously! Yikes.
This year marks the beginning of the front yard re-do. Here's what it looked like when we bought it...
Phew! What a mess, huh? Now, where we hired professionals to do our back yard, we're going to tackle the front ourselves. The funny thing about this is, as you can tell by my seed-starting last year, I don't know the first thing about gardening. BUT - I have the attitude of jumping right into things and acting like I know what I'm doing - always hoping I'll just figure it out as I go along.
Here's the beginning of front yard phase one (it's going to take two years for sure...)
It doesn't look like much - but it's a start! I have some lilies starting to open - I LOVE lilies!
We hung baskets out front and on the back steps...
And I've chosen just a few vegetable/herb plants to grow in pots that I picked up from the farmers market. I figure that based on my past luck - I should go with quality rather than quantity! Two types of tomatoes...
And a couple of spinach plants and a parsley waiting to be planted...
Wish me luck! I'm hoping that this year's plantings will be a little more successful, and that I'm not destined to be a gardening failure for the rest of my life! : )
7 comments:
All your hard work looks like it has and will continue to pay off. I don't do a stitch of work in the yard! My husband loves to tinker...thank goodness!
You guys have the CUTEST house!!!
Good luck with the yard! It looks like FUN!
Keep up the good work- it looks great!!
The front looks great- nice work. Stick with the veggies the last two years haven't been that great for veggies overall- especially last year! When it doubt blame it on the weather not your gardening skills : )
Go you!! That's a lovely home, and it's going to be so fun for your to transform the yard into your little dream spot. I know all too well how tough it is to grow things (I'm not the most adept either).
Your home is BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the architecture of the 1920s...and craftsman style homes are my favorite!! It's so lovely and has such personality--just beautiful.
I think you've done an excellent job with the landscaping. Gardening is definitely something that just takes practice, and it looks to me like you have a good handle on everything.
So lovely, Joanne. Thank you for sharing with us! :)
xo
You are so cute and we live in the same house (practically) So this is my advice... dive in and go for it, nothing teaches you like failure and success. The other very good thing to look into is the master gardener program in your city, usually through a university extension office... it changed my life and my learning curve!It looks fantastic so far!
Post a Comment