The delightful bluebells in the header at Bluebell Woods reminded me of garden planning. That in turn reminded me of my 'side garden' which started as a labour of love, to take approximately 10 x 20 feet of space and make it work as a path/sitting area/garden/access to the meter etc. I started to do the work myself but the darn cement patio pavers were beyond my strength. Blessed be my next door neighbour. Strong, good at planning, tenacious, strong (did I mention strong).
The first picture was taken after we had done our best to clean the area up (it used to have a shed against the house - boy what that ever a tough job to take apart and move the construction materials, let alone the contents. We had built that shed about 28 years prior to the start of 'making' this garden area and it became our 'storage area' for lumber, cement blocks, anything we wanted to put out of sight. This area started to be cleaned up in 2007 and the final picture in this post is from 2009. The tar paper path was from the 'building the backyard big sheds' time (another huge undertaking).
So much soil had to be moved to the back corner of the backyard from this area. Then as you can see black garden cloth, navy jack, then sand was spread before the brick pavers were positioned.
When that job was finished larger sized gravel was added (as well as black garden cloth to control the weeds along the borders. I hauled in bricks for edgers as well as 2x4's. We brought in topsoil and I planted bulbs and perennials. Weeds grew very well in this area too, especially buttercups.
I loved this garden area when it was finished. It doesn't look quite as tidy today (take a look at the earlier 'yard walk' post) and I know I will need to be out cleaning out the weeds and dead undergrowth in the flower bed and the weeds that came up between and beside the walkway, but it has made a very convenient area for moving between the front and back yards, a place to sit (hide out) on a hot day (shady side of house). It makes me happy.
Thanks for visiting.
Linking up with:
One More Time February 17, 2014
The View From Right Here
Funky Junk Interiors:SNS Link Party # 122
A Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wednesday # 162
A Delightsome Life: Home and Garden Thursday
Chatty Chics
From My Front Porch To Yours
The Vintage Farmhouse
The Savvy City Farmer
Somewhat Simple
The Brambleberry Cottage
Stuff and Nonsense Blog Hop
Crafty, Scrappy Happy
The Charm of Home
One More Time February 17, 2014
The View From Right Here
Funky Junk Interiors:SNS Link Party # 122
A Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wednesday # 162
A Delightsome Life: Home and Garden Thursday
Chatty Chics
From My Front Porch To Yours
The Vintage Farmhouse
The Savvy City Farmer
Somewhat Simple
The Brambleberry Cottage
Stuff and Nonsense Blog Hop
Crafty, Scrappy Happy
The Charm of Home
Welcome to:
Mary Alice of Chateau Chic
Kelli of Adventurez in Child'Rearing'
Janice of Bluebell Woods
Looks great! What a fun project!
ReplyDeleteLaura
www.happyroost.blogspot.com
I love it! It looks so nice! I love a small quiet spot for hiding out :)
ReplyDeleteAnd pretty flowers to look at is a bonus!!!
It's great to take an unused area of the yard and make it into something lovely! It's kind of frustrating when you can't do the heavier stuff yourself anymore but I'm learning to accept that. I'm just as grateful when a strong neighbour pitches in! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteWhat a comfy-looking area! Love the flowers!
ReplyDeleteThat is so pretty! I was just out in my garden. Our winter has been so mild that the grass is even turning green ...well little sprigs here and there. Snow is really melting. Almost like spring out there!
ReplyDeleteI so love your garden. Hope I can do mine this year too. ^_^
ReplyDeleteWow, what an improvement, and the tulips are so pretty.
ReplyDeletejust beautiful! I love tulips! new follower from the hop! new to Linky :) I'm a homeschool mamma - we explore and learn and craft! sometimes we garden - nice to "meet" you!
ReplyDeletea beautiful space indeed!! wow
ReplyDeletethanks for linking
Wow! What a beautiful way to awaken your side yard! It turned out fab!
ReplyDeleteA project never seems like it will be that hard until you start working on it! We did this to one of our side yards, and it was quite a job!
And what a blog party you have going on! I will have to join in one day too : )
Hugs,
Terri
What a wonderful spot you created! I guess all that hard work paid off because it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower, Mary Alice
Well done! It looks great! I also love your yellow and white chairs!
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing! My side yard is totally overgrown, but my solution is to just...not go out there ;-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like all that time and labor paid off very nicely. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteYou have awards at The Chronicles of Nani!
ReplyDeletehttp://chroniclesofnani.blogspot.com/2012/02/awards-for-me.html
You have certainly make some great changes in the side yard. I think you will really enjoy this space. Tulips, coffee and maybe a good book.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Found you on www.itssoverycheri.com's Linky Followers Blog Hop. I'm your newest follower, I'd love for you to follow back!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and Have a Wonderful Evening!
Aledia @ http://plumperfect.blogspot.com
Thank you for you posts. You maybe interested in my post on garden Benches and my give away at: http://theredeemedgardener.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteJust found you on the linky followers blog hop and now I am looking forward to following you:) I so love what you did in the little garden area, even if you never get to sit there, its nice to see as you walk by:) Please hop over and check out my blog and follow back.
ReplyDeleteMy Turn (for us)
http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com
Thanks, I enjoyed the visit!
Hi I am now following you and found you on the linky follower hop! I invite you to follow me over at Hibiscus House, I would love to have you. I can tell I am going to enjoy your posts. Wow that was a lot of hard work but it is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Dolly
http://hibiscushouse1.blogspot.com/
Great job! Featuring you today! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteMelody
ChattyChics.com
i bet that makes you happy!! it is an example of a great transformation of unused space!
ReplyDeletei am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
Hello, wonderful, wonderful job! It is wonderful reclaiming a spot in one's garden. I can imagine this being a lovely tranquil space for you to enjoy. Thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
I so want to do this! What a great side yard! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteSherry
Great garden makeover!!
ReplyDeleteI am actually coming to your site re. the FOLLOWER linky blog hop, and am following you ! :-) Will you follow me back?? Thank you so much when you do.
PLUS: There is also a party on our blog, where you can feature 'your best creative work'. There are some great projects to see already, but we want to see your work!
Anyhow, use this link both to FOLLOW and to PARTY:
http://www.FineCraftGuild.com/party/
Hope to seeing you around!!
Have a happy, creative day!
Thanks for your visit and sharing this great post of using a small space for a lovely retreat... Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #5' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #6...
ReplyDelete