When we bought this property, thirteen years ago, I poured over books and magazines, trying to figure out what to do with a barren backyard bordered on two sides by woodland, a broken down ole Chicken House at the back, a dilapidated wall on the other side of the property, and a white gravel parking area outside the back door. Yes, it was discouraging and when we look at the photos below...it makes us tired ;-). The folks who lived here previously, had a productive garden (we assumed), evidenced by a huge exposed area of brown dirt. A lovely hand painted sign hung by the back door: "Garden Cottage". Yup..I was hooked...
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| View from: 1. back of house, 2. back of property, 3. Corner of house |
So in May, 1999, we moved here to the South Shore of Nova Scotia to start a new garden. Viewed from 3 large kitchen windows shouldn't it have some 4 season structure or interest....mmmmm. Shouldn't it also be close by, steps from the house, so we could enjoy it, work in it, smell it and treasure it. Residing the house, a new roof, new deck...it would all have to wait. The garden came first.
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| We began to build the garden enclosure, and removed the parking area. |
It was, then, and remains, a labour of love. With no design skills in both our backgrounds, we felt a bit overwhelmed. There's no way I would have thought of ...well, for all intents and purposes....putting an English type of country garden in a woodland area, thinking it would work. BUT...
I saw it in a magazine...really I did. There was this beautiful lush vegetable garden surrounded by worn, faded pickets and that, was surrounded by deep perennial beds, full of color and texture. It was nestled in a forest...romantic, inviting, charming. "There" I pointed to the photo..."that's what I want...that, there, exactly! "
Things changed as the years went by....the fence rebuilt, a long flower and shrub bed, presses against it; the shed was also rebuilt so we could start transplants early. It evolved...we evolved.
Last week, after having cleared out most of the tomatoes, bean and pea supports, I went to the upper window and took this photo, looking down on the back yard. It's hard to believe the change. We enjoyed the journey though..... the joys and challenges. It's defined us, as we defined it; each nurturing the other.
Hi Brenda
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the before and after. You're fast!! I cannot believe what you have done to the place! Do you put your garden on any tours there?
Another question. Did you paint 'a great place to be' on the bed or is it vinyl?
ReplyDeleteErin..thanks for your comments and your encouragement! Folks can see the house and deck in other photos posted previously, so it has changed quite a bit over the years. To answer your questions..yes, the local garden club had us on their tour about four or five years ago, and recently a few members from another club in the Annapolis Valley came to visit.
ReplyDeleteRe the raised bed..the words are vinyl, the kind one usually puts inside the home..but it has lasted outside all season..we shall see what the snow does to it. Still, the ledge protects it quite a bit. Thanks for asking and for visiting.
I believe E and I may have visited at some of the stages along the way.....it looks fantastic today though! You two have done a great job!
ReplyDeletePatience and hard work, and working with Mother Nature has paid off!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic journey. I have a treasured photo album of my house in wales and all the changes we have made - it is fun too look back, though I can never quite believe how young I look in the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI read a book this year about someone creating a garden attached to an old hall - it was called The Moreville Hours, very beautifully written indeed.
Wow, I am so impressed! You are a super Gardner with the capital G!
ReplyDeleteCiao
Alessandra
J and E... you, along with the kiddo's, helped us make this garden happen. It might have looked pretty raw in the beginning, but thanks for your encouragement and help.
ReplyDeleteGZ...yup, lots of hard work (didn't mention the rabbits and the deer ))))...but thank you for your kind words. Mother Nature is the teacher.
The Moreville Hours...I so so loved that book, one of the best I have read in a few years, as well as Katherine Swift's other book The Morville Year. I wouldn't have known about it if you had not mentioned it on your blog so I am very grateful. Thank you!
Alessandra, Molto Grazie. Imbarazzati, ma la ringrazio .
What a truly amazing transformation! Your place looks so beautiful now!
ReplyDeleteIt is really a labour of love and rewarding for you and your family. I am amazed at the transformation just looking at the photographs.
ReplyDeleteWow Brenda! Thanks so much for posting the "before/after" pictures along with the story. It's great fun to see the changes and, oh so much hard work you guys have done!!! A true labor of love and joy!
ReplyDeleteMichele
These photos are so inspiring Bren! You have both worked so hard and accomplished so much. I'm honoured that your gorgeous garden will be featured (in many, many photos!) in my upcoming book. It's been a privilege to learn from you and laugh with you..
ReplyDeletePhotos like these are really inspiring to me as I start out with my own garden. You've accomplished so much and it's such a beautiful space. Thanks for including an overhead picture as that gives so much context when viewing the photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda...still love looking at your pictures. I can't get enough. I never thought of using vinyl words outside. I have Wall-talk in the store so I have hundreds of phrases at my disposal. I am going to give it some thought.
ReplyDelete"We enjoyed the journey though..... the joys and challenges. It's defined us, as we defined it; each nurturing the other."
ReplyDeleteWell said, Brenda. That's what our gardens are all about aren't they? For me, mine will continue to evolve and that's part of the fun especially in a small garden.
You have a good sized space there Brenda, and I have always admired what you have done with it. Thanks for sharing your before and afters. I can see the work it must have taken you both. As the Captain might say... it's looking pretty ship shape now :-)
Wowza! that is a fantastic transformation! And having lived in that very particular neck of the woods, I know the challenges to wresting a tamed bit from its wildness!
ReplyDeleteYou may not be a designer, but you did wonderfully when you created your garden. There is something about an enclosed garden with a beautiful arbor at its entrance that is so appealing. Perhaps it is because it makes plants, which can appear to be a bit unruly and wild, seem contained and organized.
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