We moved in July 1996 and soon got to work!
the many changes my front yard has gone through....... and I am still working on it
Oh dear where do I start?
Well I started et voila!
I asked myself when I saw this how the heck am I going to tame this?
To this
from this
to this
from this
to this
I tried growing water melons for the market but decided it was too much for me and decided to go from this.
to this
This was an old cistern that was abandoned and used as a dumpster by the former owners.Hubby got into it and filled many many bags of household and garden refuse that was thrown into this cistern. We then had to rent a dumpster to dispose of that refuse . This cistern was about 6 feet deep, we filled it with crushed limestone to about 3 ft then compacted it and filled with 18 inches of concrete. The pond is 2 1/2 ft deep now. Rodney the mason rebuilt the pond and tiled it with cut terracotta tiles.
Hubby and the booba dog enjoying their new pond
My scanner has stopped working so I couldn't include all the older pictures. Back then (12 yrs ago) I didn't have a digital. These were very exciting times for me. I just gardened by instinct and allowed the land to dictate how I would landscape it. It is going with the flow, keeping harmony, colour and balance in tune with each other.
PS my scanner is now working again so am back in business!
PS my scanner is now working again so am back in business!
Wonderful and interesting, just what I needed on this cold January day. / Tyra
ReplyDeleteYou have a fascinating blog! Loved seeing the changes..what space and so beautiful too! Your header photo looks so inviting! Very attractive display of plants. I'll be back soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Tyra and Kanak. Drop by anytime for a cuppa or two.LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd you liked mine??? Yours is 3000000000000 times better than any I have seen. Please pop on a plane and come and redo mine. Will feed you! LOL. Adding you to my bloglist.
ReplyDeleteAlso have another blog http://pinkbtyes.blogspot.com where I do a bit of cooking.
Adore your house. Love Sally.xx
Helen, this was a very fun post... to get to see all the before and after shots is so informative. You have done a marvelous job of working with the land. I can so relate to your words... "I just gardened by instinct". That is exactly how I have always done it. Only now I read garden blogs. LOL I've never been one to read garden magazines... most of them don't apply to anything above Zone 8 anyway. You have a gift, Helen. I can see why you turned it into a business. Good to visit with you today... thanks for sharing your beautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteMeems @ Hoe and Shovel
Meems thank you so much. I went moist in the eyes when I read your comment and a big HUG from me. I am not surprised that you truly understand the way some of us garden. I had the same problem with magazines, they didn't cater to zones like yours and mine. Well thanks to bloggers like you I can visit your beautiful garden anytime of day and night knowing that I will always be welcomed. I recently read an article about you in one of your local online ezines and girl you and your garden are the talk of the town. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteI'm overwhelmed! You really did a great job! This hard work results in a beautiful garden and you deserve my full admiration. Like you I still work in my garden by instinct and intuition too, though I have read a lot about plants and seen a lot of wonderful gardens. But my garden is ME and not a copy of somebody else's. You can see out of it how I feel, how much or less energy I have (my husband doesn't work or help in the garden)..
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to return to the warmth again ;-) !! Have a good time,
Barbara
Thank you Barbara, we create our gardens by how we feel about our space. I have just come from viewing an open garden with some visiting UK gardeners. This garden had a very nondescript mood, it actually left us feeling empty. They said that they prefer the feel of my garden....and described it as natural, carefree, flamboyant and dramatic. All a reflection of me. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting reading, and a very nice garden. Lovely pond!
ReplyDeleteThanks for developing a part of the beautiful parish I call home. All I can say is wow.
ReplyDeleteLucyann Richards-Durant
Thank you Andre for visiting!
ReplyDeleteLucyann only those people who live or have lived in St. Lucy really know how beautiful this Parish is. Whenever I say I live in St. Lucy bajans think I mean St. Lucia by the expression on their faces lol.
You performed miracles here, the transformation of your garden spaces are mind boggling, I am so enjoying going throught the older postings of your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi My name is Stacy Bell and my Mother-law turned me on to your site, and I am so glad she did. Your garden is so amazing, the amount of work and love that went in to it I can not imagine. Thank you so much for all the lovely pictures I get look at. I have some plants myself but as I live in Toronto Canada in an apartment, they are all indoor plants.I do not know if your allow anyone who is not known to you to see your garden in person, as I would love to see it next time my wife and I vist her family in Josey Hill, St. Lucy. I understand if this is not possible. And thank you again for all the plants to look at
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteLooks really great Helen. Must take the full tour the next time I pop by.
ReplyDelete