My Garden

One of the things that endeared me to our home 7 years ago was its shady yard filled with ancient Live Oak, Hickory and Sweet Gum trees. They had been untouched since our property was part of the Kingsley Plantation a few hundred years ago. At ground level it was barren and neglected (we even used the side yard as a parking lot on occasion), but I saw its potential from the first day and knew that it could be a beautiful "Old Florida" style garden*.

Richard spent a year excavating and restoring the sprinkler system. He removed chain-link fencing, relocated large brick posts, and installed a fountain as a birthday gift to me.

For several years I spent most of my free time and money planting. I transplanted most of the existing shrubs, removed palms (along with their 1000's of seedlings) and 100's of briar vines with roots the size of "fair-ribbon-worthy" potatoes. I drug home and nursed cast-off plants from trash piles. I made friends with gardeners that successfully tended shady yards like mine who shared advice AND plants. I learned that grass won't grow well in my "forest" and since colorful flowers are limited in the shade, every shade of green is a color to be appreciated. I am still learning.

I laid a brick walkway and patio and I shopped for accessories; gates, urns, furniture, ornaments and fountains (almost all were garage sale bargains).

Megan took these beautiful photos on Easter. Her camera has taken her to places she does not normally go. She is very snake phobic and my garden (actually, anywhere outside) makes her quite nervous. I'm proud of her courage and her photos.

Now, you can follow Annie on a tour, she is NOT afraid of my garden...

Spring is a promising time in my garden with new growth everywhere, but it's not the fullest or most colorful. Please come visit several times a year so you can see it change through the seasons. We'll have lunch al fresco.

*This is an organic garden, as God intended! I use NO pesticides and NO fertilizer! We harvest oak leaves every spring for enough mulch to last the year. My plants have to thrive on water only and only on the days and amounts that our county water restrictions allow.