Friday, February 27, 2009

From Then to Now (Back Yard)

Here is second part of my Blogiversary posts called "From Then to Now: Frontyard", this part is of course, "From Then to Now: Backyard". Most all of my gardening and the changes in the yard have been done on a shoestring budget and physical labor-mine! Every single garden you see was hand dug by me, every single rock and concrete chunk was hauled in by me (every single one free!), all plants were planted and nurtured by me, all hardscape was designed and built by me (with the occasional manpower from Mr. Fix-it and the two sons). What is my point? Just letting you know that gardening takes a lot of labor (as if you didn't already know it). but not so much money, just dedication and some free time; which I finally got after I retired from the Army, but for some reason the labor part seems to leave me before jobs get completed these days, however, that is a story for another day. Let's look at some backyard pictures of a garden in a constant state of change (aren't they all?).

Before: Northeast corner of Backyard (September 2001)

After: Northeast corner of the Backyard. (September 2008)
Before: Back Foundation Garden along the non-existent sidewalk looking south. (September 2002)

After: Back Foundation Garden looking south. (September 2008) My two sons and I built the sidewalk while Mr. Fix-it was deployed to Iraq. This sidewalk was the most expensive project in the garden. Since I built it I have sought alternatives to pavers; which are so much more cheaper.
Before: Backyard Northwest Corner (Summer 2001)
After: Backyard Northwest Corner (September 2008) Yup, those are my free bricks I received back in September from Adam, a fellow Freecycler. They are working their way into a new patio in this general vicinity. Actually-I am working them into a new patio, a post to come at a later date. I sure wish they could do it themselves!
Before: Backyard Looking from Deck Toward Pond to the West (Summer 2001)
After: Backyard Looking From Deck to Pond to the West (September 2008)

Before: Looking southwest from the deck (September 2001) Mr. Fix-it and a very young Jimmy are playing on a swing here.
Before: Looking Southwest from the Deck (Summer 2004)
After: Looking Southwest from the Deck (September 2008) Before: Looking east from the Southwest corner of the yard (Summer 2003)
After: Looking East from the Southwest corner of the yard (September 2008) The veggie garden is to the left, you can see the gourds growing all over the place. The grassy area is Mr. Fix-it's 'driveway' to his garage-a non-gardening area.
These two posts have been fun for me. I got to pull out old photos and really assess the garden and its changes in the past seven plus years. It has been a lot! But like all gardens, it is still continually evolving and changing. Just like life and us gardeners.

I also have to add a caveat to this post, when looking at all the photos one thing you can really notice is how many trees have been cut down. I must give total credit to Mr. Fix-it and his invaluable labor in cutting these trees down. He gets a bit offended if I don't include him and his labor, so I will make sure not to make that mistake again. He does help out quite a bit, but since he works SO much, the main part of the labor falls to me.

in the garden....

41 comments:

  1. You and yours did a fabulous job. So much accomplished in really not that much time. Kudos to you! This was fun to look at. I enjoy before and afters tons.

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  2. Wow...what a change! I love your lush banana plants...beautiful!

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  3. WOW! Something have happend there! i wich I had some before and after of our garden / gittan

    http://gittans.tradgardsblogg.se

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  4. Love the then and now. You have done a lot of work, and it does pay off though, doesn' it? Looks great.

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  5. So many differences, you must feel really good about that.

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  6. I really like the photos of the growth and change over the years. Wish we had taken more comparative photos. It certainly is a testament to your hard work and vision. After moving around for years I am know it is nice to see long range plans come to fruition.
    Janet

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  7. Your garden has really come a long way. I love seeing the before and after pictures. You guys have worked so hard, but the results are outstanding!! Good job Tina--thanks for the great pictures!
    Have a good weekend..I hope in the garden! :)

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  8. Good Morning Everyone,
    Tina I can see how much hard work you all have put into your gardens. They are all lovely. I agree our gardens are always changing. For the better I hope. I feel it's a labor of love.
    Have a great weekend all.

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  9. What an amazing transformation Tina!

    I wish I had before-and-after photos. Until I started blogging I rarely took pictures of the garden.

    Watching the garden evolve through photos is a joy and helps me better recognize and appreciate how much I've accomplished in spite of how much more I'd still like to do.

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  10. Tina,

    You and Mr Fix-It have been hard at work! You have done a wonderful job! it must thrill you to look at the before and after photos! Like garden girl I have no real before blogging photos! Too bad because it is very different now. . You are so lucky to have photos of the transformation and to have good help with the labor! Have a good day...are you expecting snow?

    gail

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  11. Hi Tina, when looking at the before and after I see beautiful gardens and a whole lotta work! These things take time and effort and you have supplied both. Way to use those free bricks and other things too. It frees up the money for plants! Although those can also be free. I was just looking at the things you brought me and the powis castle, feverfew, oregano are looking good. Nothing happening with the maximillion, is that as it should be? If there were other things I can't remember, not writing them down! Too excited I guess about your visit. HA
    Frances

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  12. Good morning Tina. You have certainly put your personal stamp on yard. It's amazing the changes, you can hardly tell it's the same yard.

    It looks like you have a lovely setting behind you too. Is that all open meadow or pasture?
    Marnie

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  13. Wow, what a difference a few years makes. Hard work pays off in spades when it's a labor of love. You have inpired me to want to take more pictures of the yard in it's current state instead of always taking them when a project is finished. Then I can look back and appreciate how much was accomplished.
    -Heater

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  14. Those before and after shots show a world of difference. It's amazing what time and effort can do! Can't wait to see your patio project. I can't tell you what a huge relief it was after ours was finished!

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  15. I meant to sign my name
    -Heather (not heater) I am tired today, the brain needs to go outsided.

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  16. Hooray! You've made great progress, and your house's siding looks updated, too. I also have a brick path that circles my front, side, and back yard from my home front door to my garden shed out back. I love it. I actually paid to have it put in (and I'm notoriously cheap). It's also by far my most expensive garden feature, but I love it still (after 6 years). LOVE it! :)

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  17. Tina,

    An incredible transformation! Your hard work is paying off with beautiful gardens and grounds.

    Cameron

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  18. I really do like before and after pictures. They really show how much a little bit (okay a lot) of work pays off in the end! How lucky you to get so much free stuff for your gardens. I hope to acquire some more free bricks soon! One day, the plan is to connect all the small gardens into one large one. Now that will be a good before and after picture. lol

    Everyone have a good weekend, we have lots to do...

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  19. Fantastic! You have SO MUCH space; that's a blessing and a curse, way more work than a little space. You have done so much, it is all beautiful! Gives me hope that eventually my little 1 year old garden will evolve.

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  20. Good morning all! And thanks for your nice comments. We've worked pretty hard here over a period of 8 years. It is never done though now is it? Gotta go garden now....

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  21. Impressive - and interesting. The most dramatic one for me is the area with the banana in it - but then I'm always one for height and all that. Thank you! I look forward to doing a similar post (on a smaller scale) later in the year. We have been here 6 years, from tomorrow in fact. But we made big changes virtually immediately and have only 1 poor snapshot of what it was like originally. I must dig out the estate agent's details! Thanks again for the inspiration :)

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  22. I love seeing before and after shots. I also love that you did it all yourself, with little help from Mr. Fix-it. There is something much more rewarding about doing it yourself!

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  23. Wow!I hope you feel an awesome sense of accomplishment! You have done a beautiful job creating your gardens and you're so lucky to have so much land to do it on. I look forward to seeing the spring and summer photos of your garden.

    Happy day~
    Karrita

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  24. I love before-and-after photos. Thanks for sharing them. You have done a tremendous amount of work in making this garden truly your own. You've made a splendid shady oasis.

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  25. Amazing and inspiring! I'm afraid my backyard now looks like many of your "before" photos. I'm so impressed at the way you've landscaped and extended your yard, getting grass to grow where it wasn't before!

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  26. Tina, I simply love the space that you have. And you've utilised it to its best. Lovely to see the transformation that the years and hard work can bring. Your garden looks beautiful. I think I've said it before, but I'd still love to tell you again that your gourd birdhouse is so cute!

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  27. Ok, Tina, I just wished you Happy Blogiversary 5 months late--gotta follow the links more carefully.

    Anyway, I love these posts not only because they show how a garden developed, but also because I can kind of orient myself on your property. And what a lot of work of you've done with gorgeous results (not to slight Mr.F's or J's contributions). I love the view out to the pond and the pasture (??).

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  28. What a fabulous transformation! You & Mr Fixit deserve alot of kudos for the hard work you put into your beautiful garden. :)

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  29. Whoa, Tina, that's absolutely impressive!! I can relate to all the work involved in making those very beautiful and extensive changes. Look at all the beauty you've created. It's incredible. and your banana knocks my socks off. Mine never get that big!

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  30. Befores and afters are really a study in contrasts! You've put in some hard work Ms. Tina, with of course, lots of help from your "slaves." And it's plain to see your labor was definitely worth it! You've done a wonderful job and the garden(s) look marvelous. I think I even see some whimsy hangin in your banana tree!

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  31. You have done wonders. I know I've likely told you this at times before, but I love your view out back. Bucolic...
    Brenda

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  32. I love before and after photos. Obviously you have done a lot of work and it's paid off. Your yard looks wonderful.

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  33. What a lot of work but the end result is very nice.

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  34. It was fun to see the before and after photos of your beautiful place. I'm so glad you were able to create your own paradise.~~Dee

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  35. That is a whole lot of work you did there. I don't get much help either, but it sure is worth it. Your yard looks amazing!

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  36. Hi all, You guys are very nice. I with these pictures showed better, but at least you can see there have been changes for sure. I will be sure to get Mr. Fix-it to look at this post (he doesn't read the blog) so he will know all your kind words for him too.

    Dee, It is nice to see your face!

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  37. Tina, you are an inspiration to me in more ways than one! I, too, have done everything myself in creating my gardens--although Mr. Procrastinator does occasionally lend a stronger helping hand at times. Sometimes I get frustrated when my energy runs out (or the back gives out) and I don't get as much accomplished as I want.
    Looking at your before and after photos gives me hope and new determination--you have accomplished so much!

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  38. Thank you Rose! And I am still hoping you make that trip to Tennessee this summer so you can come by and we can spend some time relaxing in the garden. We can surely share stories of backs giving out and hard work-husbands optional-but we must be nice to them of course.

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  39. Hi Tina,
    I'm behind in my blog reading. I'm glad I made it here to see this post, as it is my favorite kind, seeing all the wonderful changes to your areas.

    I'm sure you are enjoying the results of all the hard work you and Mr. Fix-it have done.

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  40. All I think about these days is that mudhole in my backyard and how many wonderful and creative things I want to do there...but am trying to approach it as realisticly as I possibly can too...I just want it to be visually appealing to me so I can get some pretty things in there!

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