I know that if you plant things in the ground they will grow . . . but I'll be damned if every year I'm not amazed at how much everything grows. Maybe it's because we had a townhouse before so we couldn't really plant anything, maybe it's because I have a loose grip on how mother nature works? Maybe I'm not the only one?? . . . . maybe I am.
I love flipping back and seeing how the yard looked back in 2011, and how it looks now. Here's the results:
The hydrangea bushes haven't bloomed yet but I couldn't resist sharing. I think this time next year we'll have a perfectly filled in hedge of hydrangeas, being held in by an almost formed hedge of boxwood.
I think the thing I am most excited about this year is the ferns hanging off the porch. I don't know . . . maybe I secretly want to be Southern (it's not secret I am a southern belle wanna be), but I love ferns off a porch. We bought these ones from Home Depot. We also picked up 4 feet of chain. The existing pot hangers weren't long enough . . . we considered buying new pots with longer hangers but once the ferns grew you wouldn't even see the pots so it would be a waste of money, when you can get 4 feet of chain for less than $4!
Lastly, what would a post about the front yard be without a quick paragraph about the grass. I've written about Natural Lawn care before
here and
here. It seems like in new build homes and developments the soil quality is terrible (our soil is 90% gravel ;) we've had to amend it with lots of mushroom manure and top soil over the last 3 years. For that reason the grass needs a little extra TLC. Our neighbors don't do anything extra to their lawn . . . they do mow it regularly but that's it. We have only used natural fertilizer like corn gluten, we make sure not to cut the grass too short and over seed our lawn once a year and the difference is dramatic.
I didn't edit the photo below at all, I wanted to show the real difference.
(btw, our neighbors don't read the blog . . . and they rent the property out so they wouldn't be offended about my comparison) The line between our grass and their grass is definitely pronounced
, without the use of any chemical fertilizers. It took about a year for the natural methods to really show but it was worth the wait.
Thanks for checking in today . . . have a great Thursday!!!
If you have a second our two . . . our little library/office is on
Simcoe Street today, as part of Jen's guest blogger series:
It's no secret that we Southerners defintely love our porches - and ferns make them that much better! Your yard/lawns/garden are just beautiful - it is amazing what a difference time & dedication make! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, everything is so lush and full! I love your pretty home and that porch is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Clearly the work on your lawn has been worth it. Startling difference!
ReplyDeleteI hope nobody posts a picture of my front yard, though I would be the first to rat myself out. We've really struggled to do something, anything with our front yard and finally got rid of the root of our problems, our root high, water stealing, nutrient hogging, sun blocking weed of a tree. At least as we shovel up our soil and prepare to amend it, the neighbours can tell we are trying.
It is AMAZING the difference landscaping makes! Everything looks great! I know you are pleased!
ReplyDeleteProud Southern Belle checking in here, proclaiming her love of porches and ferns!
ReplyDeleteAshli, your lawn looks terrific! I have never tried overseeding our lawn. I need to look into that.
Everything is coming up quite nicely! I like the idea of the boxwoods with the hydrangeas and I'm really digging your copper rain chain!
ReplyDeleteI have almost the identical garden! Love all your plant choices! Do you know your exterior paint colour? Would love it if you shared it! Our siding is almost the same colour and we will be painting our exterior very soon! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing! We always have ferns hanging on our front porch. I did however add new pulleys this year and it makes watering them so much easier (EZ Pull makes them). I love the wreath on your front door. I just saw one like it at Home Goods and was debating if I had a spot on the back porch for it or not.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference a couple of years make.looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool post! Your house is beautiful! I always love looking back on old pictures and seeing the change. I doubt you're naive about how mother nature works, it's just that over time changes are subtle and since we see the same things each day we don't really pick up on the differences. I have to admit I laughed out loud when I saw the difference between your neighbors yard and your own. I'd recommend a little overlap with those natural remedies if you know what I mean ;) also... Could you let me know what those remedies are? I'd love to apply them to my own lawn. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks so great! What kind of plants do you have in your hanging pots? (sorry I am not a gardener)
ReplyDeleteOh you Southern girl you! I love what you've done and those ferns and hydrangeas are beautiful. One questions tho ..... where does Max do his thing? You must have brown spots on your grass somewhere?????? C'mon, do tell :-) Happy Thursday to you too.
ReplyDeleteHaha . . . Max only weighs 5 lbs he pees like a thimbles worth of pee at a time. Haha
DeleteOh, it all looks lovely! I enjoy seeing changes of gardens and exteriors as the years go by. One suggestion though: have you considered painting your door a bright poplin color? Maybe a purple or bright green, even red? I look at that Japanese maple, and think bringing a shade of that up to the door would make a huge impact.
ReplyDeleteYour front yard looks absolutely beautiful. Our home was new construction also and we moved in at the end of 2011. It's amazing to see how quickly things grow.
ReplyDeleteI love these plants you have chosen for your garden. Absolutely beautiful.
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ReplyDeleteI love that in the comparison picture of the grass you can see Lee on the steps holding Max :)
ReplyDeleteI just recently did some then and now pictures of our home which we've been in for 10 years now... time flies. The growth is amazing. You never realize it until you look back at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteYour home is lovely btw.
Your home is so lovely. Thanks for sharing some of it over on Simcoe Street :)
ReplyDeletexox
American houses are so beautiful ! I want one :p
ReplyDeleteMelanie ~ http://www.iheartsharingthings.blogspot.com