When we bought our house a year ago, the backyard was a blank slate save a rotting shed and a massive apple tree stump. It looks like a very different space just a year later. Although still a newly planted garden, I am so excited to watch this space grow into an edible jungle over the coming years.
Backyard in May 2014, just after purchase
Phase I of the garden was creating a thoughtful plan that designated the placement of major garden elements: gathering spaces, chicken coop/shed, raised beds, compost area, pathway network. A planting plan followed that listed out all the permanent plantings and where they would best fit into the landscape. This phase was complete late summer last year.
Sketch of the backyard looking toward the future raised beds and coop/shed
Phase II of the garden was installing the early components of the plan: irrigation for the backyard, removing sod, adding manure and mulch, then planting all our new plant friends. This phase was complete just before the first frost fell in late fall. It gave the new plants time to settle in with winter rains before the heat of the growing season set in.
Backyard June 2015 – one year after purchase
We have been saving our pennies and just completed Phase III, which is all about reducing maintenance in the backyard. We added a zone to our irrigation system just for the raised beds, so the veggies get drip irrigation on a regular schedule. We also had crushed rock pathways installed to define garden spaces and reduce maintenance.
June 2015 view at raised bed area and chicken coop/shed
We are so thrilled with the completion of this most recent phase! As soon as the work was complete, we have been spending way more time outside enjoying our garden space. Everything feels really manageable – great timing since our new baby will arrive any day.
Backyard June 2015 – one year after moving in
Future phases will always be on the horizon, although they will be just about enhancing the space rather than defining it. For now, I really truly FINALLY feel at home in this homestead. It’s a wonderful feeling to get this all in just a year into buying our house. I can’t wait to watch it transform with time and love.
