My blog is about gardening and life. I love to garden and thought it would be appropriate to show you where my garden started and where it is now.
We have lived here for seven years now. I did not start intensively gardening until I returned from Iraq in the summer of 2003. Mr. Fix-it does not garden, though I do consult with him and he gives me suggestions as appropriate. Some like, "Not another d(*&%^ garden!" come to mind. "NO! You can't put it here!" Occasionally he has nice things to say such as, "Our house has character." with a sly grin on his face. Is that a good thing? My husband is my soul mate and truly a great partner, gardener or not. I could not have taken this gardening trip or any trip in life without him, so all kidding aside, I want to thank Mr. Fix-it for his love, support and tolerance for my gardening 'bug'.
So, without further ado, some before and after pictures of the house with character.
So, without further ado, some before and after pictures of the house with character.
Front of House Summer 2002
Front of House September 2008
Driveway Garden Summer 2002
Driveway Garden September 2008
Parking Area Summer 2002
Parking Area September 2008
Perennial Garden Summer 2002 (Do you see Mr. Fix-it's Yard Ornament behind the fence?)
Perennial Garden September 2008 (Now you see his other lawn ornament in FRONT of the fence and in FRONT of my garden)
Now for the biggest change and the small part of Tiger Gardens this little town sees from the roadway. (other than on here).Front Yard Summer 2002
Front Yard September 2008
This is it for the front yard pictures. It does not show the entire front yard, but it shows the parts where I could find before pictures. The Northside Shrub border and a few other gardens are missing.
We'll do the backyard one of these days. Can you say changes? I knew there were many, but sometimes it is surprising to see them in pictures. They all bring back memories for me-mainly of all the work and my wondering if it will ever be done?!
I always envisioned this blog with posts like this one(Before/After pictures). I can't believe it has taken me so long to do it and I waited until the Blogiversary to finally complete it! Don't wait so long folks, as these are fun-at least for me.
in the garden....
Hi Tina, blogger almost didn't want me to leave a comment, then I begged and it relented. ;-> I love the before and after pix too. All your work has certainly given your house more than character, it has given it beauty too. I think the front by the street is the biggest improvement. It says that a gardener lives here!
ReplyDeleteFrances
Those are big changes, all the gardens are beautiful but I like the overall look of the house, it looks very modern.
ReplyDeleteFrances, Sorry about Blogger. Glad you begged:) Yes, I agree that street photo is the biggest change. I am so happy to block out the road and much of the noise with those silverberries.
ReplyDeleteDawn, We have updated the house a bit. It has a cape cod style. We love it. Not done with it.
I knew this was going to be a good post, Tina, and it is. Your sweet garden has grown into a beautiful garden! The work you've put into growing Tiger up, has been well worth it! They grow up so fast! You have done a great deal of work in six years! The entrance garden is really lovely! Well done!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have a soul mate!
gail
Thanks Gail, It was a fun post. Now I have a record for me too. Photo albums just don't always cut it. I viewed this one full screen so I could see them side by side. Soul mates are the best!
ReplyDeleteTina, these a great improvements. Well done!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing what a gardener's heart can do. It transforms things.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Hi Tina, Your house & garden have changed so much in a 6 year span. What a wonderful before & after post. I like the gardens you added to the front of your house, they add character and curb appeal. I notice the house went from siding to a brick or brick facade. I really love your house and yard Tina. Great post!
ReplyDeleteRacquel
Those are some amazing changes Tina! It's interesting to see what a garden can do for the look of a house. In the first shot there wasn't much of interest but in the second the home really seemed much more welcoming. It looks great! And the roadway area looks much better. It looks like what you've planted is giving you some privacy from the road.
ReplyDeleteSarah-Thanks! I am trying to get a bit of Maine and North Carolina here. Wait until I complete my garage arbor-that will be romantic Maine.
ReplyDeleteDonna, Growing things and transforming our bit of the world is a passion for all gardeners I think.
Racquel, We changed some of the vinyl siding to the faux stone. I posted it last year. We LOVE it! Eventually the rest of the house will get new Hardie board siding to fit in more with the garden, our faux stone and our lifestyle. Vinyl is so boring and everyone here has it. We are here for life so want it to be our way. If I recall correctly you have brick, we would've loved brick too. Way better than vinyl. I think the curb appeal went up 200 fold for sure. So does the friendly county assessor, unfortunately. Funny how they penalize homeowners with nice yards and those who have ratty ones go along happily on their way. Not fair for the community. I should get a tax break because of all the money and work and not a raise in my taxes! Is your city like that too?
Dave, The drawback of so many gardens is now it is kind of hard to see it all from the road, but I like it this way. Amazing views from where we live near the house. Privacy is VITALLY important to us, especially if you are like me and spend all your time in the garden. So many people travel the road and look, now I can wear my garden clothes and do as I like in privacy. In a subdivision it might be different. Thanks.
Isn't it amazing what landscaping does for a home? I agree, the roadside planting probably made the biggest impact to the front. The brick really dressed up the front, that looks great. The driveway looks good too.
ReplyDeleteLove the cactus by the mailbox;)
Marnie
Marnie, Thanks so much. I love that prickly pear SO much. I have a post on it (no surprise there:) Funny story how I got it (April 07) but I won't tell it here. It is a passalong plant and you need tongs to handle it really. If you ever see it or know someone with it you simply cut a leaf off, and lay it on the ground and it roots. Works great in difficult areas. If I ever come that way I'll bring you some.
ReplyDeleteGreat changes for sure but since I have seen it in person before and after, I do not think the photos do it justice!!!
ReplyDeleteJean is probably right that the photos don't do this justice. Even so, you've made dramatic changes to your home, Tina. I love the before and after photos; it's obvious just how much hard work has gone into your gardens. I love the front yard especially, a striking view for passersby. My husband says somewhat the same things when I talk about gardening; he would enjoy your husband's "lawn ornament" :)
ReplyDeleteMom, Thanks! It has really changed. Not looking too great now with no rain in weeks though. We love your visits and last summer was a real treat.
ReplyDeleteRose, Thanks so much. Your husband likes old cars too? Mechanics and old car lovers are my kind of people-oh yeah-and and gardeners like you!
I really do like before and after pics as they show the story to the eyes! You have made a lot of improvements in the time you have called this place home! I can only imagine what the next years have in store where change is concerned... lol...
ReplyDeleteDown right chilly in GA today folks! No sun and cold breeze, where is fall? I think we have jumped into winter without fall...
I am getting on here late today. I had to rescue a frog from the toilet! Ha, has anyone ever done anything crazy like that before or am I the only nut? LOL…
Skeeter, That frog is as funny as can be! Mom, Dawn, you guys might want to check out Skeeter's post on pet people. We know how good she is with posting, but she set the bar way high today! Imagine the shock!
ReplyDeleteLots of hard work in those photos. Great job. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteWow, that last picture is like night and day. You did a wonderful job. Billy doesn't much care for gardening although he has plenty of opinions after I plant on what would have looked better. LOL
ReplyDeleteThat is a funny story! Imagine Skeeter jumping around the room trying to figure out "what's behind". Poor little guy, LUCKY it WAS Skeeter tho. I'd ran for the fish net, and hoped for the best.
ReplyDeleteTina, awesome transformation. It looks 100% better. I love the roadside garden--a welcome sign but at the same time gives privacy. A person can see that a lover of nature, gardener lives in this beautiful abode.
ReplyDeleteWhat a vast improvement. I never think to take before pictures until it is too late, and I certainly wish I had some from when we bought this house. An hour after we closed on the house I was in the yard ripping stuff out - without a camera.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing change in your house itself! My, you guys went to town! I love the country scenic view close to the road. It is so wonderful when we have photos of where we've been and where we are now. What better motivation to keep moving forward than that?
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Very nice! I am impressed. Lots of work and devotion in that. Vickie
ReplyDeleteSarah-Thanks! Glad you liked the photos. But gee, you are close and could actually see it in person some time.
ReplyDeleteEve, Guys are like that. Always full of opinions on how it could've been done better but not much help!
Dawn, I'll get on it. Skeeter is probably still laughing. (after she did her bidness that is)
Lola, No question on who lives here-an obsessed gardener! Better to be an obsessed gardener than a few other types I've seen in this area now let me tell ya.
Les, DO those before pictures! You need a record as sometimes even I can't believe we've made so many changes. I bet that was funny, ripping stuff out right after closing. Bet the wife, "Geez honey, carry in the dishes and furniture first!"
Brenda, The house has changed quite a bit. Most houses here have no landscaping and if they do, the homeowners tend to rip it out. I think changes (and privacy are good). I am sure it is the same Texas too. Motivation, now there's the word.
Vickie, Yes, lots of work for so long. Not much lately though-no rain:( Hope all is well in Florida.
I love before and after pictures, and these are beautiful! I love everything! I knew you were talented, but WOW!!
ReplyDeleteTina, the frog is still on the front porch. It made its way to the porch railing and has been napping all afternoon and now into the evening. Poor thing is probably traumatized no doubt... lol....
ReplyDeleteStill windy as heck and burrrr cool...
Meadowview Thymes, Not so talented, just a bit obsessed maybe. lol Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, Hmmmm....you think?
Okay you all, SURVIVOR has returned. I'll be out of the net!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing your before and after pictures. Everthing has grown in so nicely.
ReplyDeleteI saw it Tina as Skeeter sent me an e-mail of it. Absolutely priceless!!!! I will have to show it to everyone here. Neat story but who else would run and grab a camera and make such a great story of it, except good ole Skeeter!!!!
ReplyDeleteAunt Debbi/Kurts Mom, Thanks! They do show a bit of growth. Don't know how with the freezes and droughts we've had. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteMom, Yup, she is pretty good.
Jean, you made me laugh! I was telling the Saint just that same thing. I was like wait frog, hold that pose, I have to get the camera! The camera is never too far from me... lol
ReplyDeleteCommenting backwards again! It's been great seeing the history of your blog and of your gardens--and what a beautiful house you have! I love the siding in the 2008 photos.
ReplyDeleteCosmo, We got to stop meeting like this-hubbies might get suspicious:) Glad you like the siding. That faux stone has made us both very happy. The rest of the vinyl is going too some day.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! After seeing these pictures I know there's hope for my house after all! What a great job you've done on all of this stuff....in fact, you've done such a nice job, that reward you by putting aside an extra pair of kneepads, and run a loop of SURVIVOR for you if you'll come and do this to my place!
ReplyDelete~Sophie
I might just have to do that for those kneepads Sophie:) Here's an idea, I can do the outside of your house and you come do the inside of mine. How's that? I have extra gardening gloves too...
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the befores and afters. It really shows all the hard work you've done. I really like the stone on the house. I've always been partial to that look, I grew up in an old stone farmhouse.
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy, Are you still catching up?:) You are very loyal! I would love to live in a farmhouse with stone. Can you tell we are trying to recreate a bit of it? It seems your place is very much like a farmhouse. Is the farmhouse you talk of the one where you got the awning from? Can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteHi Tina ~ Finally I think I'm caught up, reading, that is, not posting. Many photos to download from our trip.
ReplyDeleteThe stone farmhouse is my parents home in Eastern PA. It's over 200 years old and made of fieldstone. When they put an addition on 20 some years ago they used more fieldstone found on the farm so it would match. It's a beautiful house but being so old, alot of work.
The awning is from my in-laws. Now that the roof is finished the awning is the next step. But that's more my husbands department. I know he wants to get it done this fall though.
Looking forward to seeing it Cindy AND hearing about your trip.
ReplyDelete