My backyard is finally complete! This has been a work in progress for YEARS and I am giddy. I have more thing arriving any day now. I am planning on getting "good" photos this week, but could not help sharing a little iPhone peek. My papa was a huge part of making my vision complete. He built the pergola last summer for me and then built the sofa recently. Buying a an outdoor sofa just wasn't in the budget so I showed him a few I liked, bought cushions and he made it all come together. Oh, and not to say the Mr did not do his far share. He laid new sod last month in our mostly bare yard and was responsible for every hole dug in our hard clay over the years. The garden is at the stage where it looks wild and established and I could not be any happier. If you need me just come to back. It has quickly become my happy spot.
Splish ~ Splash {my garden guests}
I was rather nervous with the freeze we had last week. My garden already started to bloom and I was weary that I may loose her. Alas she is going strong! The kiddos and I are loving that our backyard has become somewhat of a bird sanctuary. We have all sorts of types come through daily and we even have a number of nests in bird houses and among our climbing roses. Both the Mr and I have had quite the shock when working on the roses and birds come flying out. I for one will let them be and the kiddos are eager to see if they hatch babies. One of our new additions is a Kenroy Home birdbath. It's at a great price point and the quality is ever so good. It kind of reminds me of something Restoration Hardware would carry. I think the birds are happy too. My papa currently is building me a sofa for under the pergola and I am giddy. My only specification was that it was nap worthy. HA. I will share once I have the patio all set up. The kitchen garden is starting to sprout and the strawberries made it through the winter thankfully. I believe I may never leave the backyard this summer. Who wants to join me? I'll even make desserts. Paleo mind you, but still yummy none the less.
Here's a peek at last years garden.
The Kitchen Garden {an update}
I have been wanting to do a kitchen garden update for some time. Instead of waiting any longer for me to pull out the good camera I decided to just snap some iPhone pics. With wedding season in full swing the last thing I want to do is edit personal pics. Ha. I am sure if you happen to follow me on instagram you can easily tell how much I LOVE having a garden. It's been a fun project for both the kiddos and I. It relaxes me to no end. It's even better since things actually came to life. In the back of my head I was afraid that it simply would not work. Our garden is organic and gmo free. I have had to battle bunnies and bugs. Sometimes they win and sometimes I do.
These are either zucchini or cumber. I am still learning along the way needless to say. The lettuce flowered and became bitter. Had no idea that would happen. Again learning as I go. Will most definitely try lettuce again when it cools off. Apparently it's more of a cool weather plant not an Alabama heat kind of one.
I added zinnias for cutting and to draw bee's for pollination and to help keep bad bugs at bay. I had no idea they would do so well! The more you cut the more they come back.
The okra came in with abundance. The kiddos absolutely adore picking new finds and even trying everything that they have grown.
These were a surprise to me. I never planted sunflowers, but yet here they are!
The watermelon may be what I am most excited about. One now has a big old black spot on it. Heart breaking really. Any of you know of a good way to keep pests at bay organically?
This is from yesterdays bounty. Yum! It makes me want to add more beds, but alas we have a small yard and it's filling quickly.
You can see the start of the garden here.
