I love our backyard and the pool is one of my favorite places to be. I’ve shared it so many times with you over the last three years after the pool was finished. All the plants have grown almost out of control and some of the annuals and perennials need to be replaced, so time for a Backyard Makeover.
All of these plants looked so pretty the first couple of years they were planted.
So much character and interest.
One side of the yard I rarely showed you was the right side. It is where we had our vegetable garden and in the corner of this side we also had Jim’s collection of cactus and succulents. He was a Master Gardener and loved plants of all kinds, especially cactus and succulents. These were all displayed on 8′ long garden tables and in the hot summer he wrapped the tables in shade cloth. That didn’t look very pretty so I never took pictures. You can see just a bit in the left hand corner of this picture. This also shows our veggie garden as it was first planted.
Our garden grew bigger and got covered with shade cloth too, so this whole side wasn’t really very pretty to look at.
Our summer has been the hottest in history in Phoenix, so working in the yard was not easy. Things grew like weeds and it was too hot to prune things back. Then Jim got sick the last of July and passed in August, so I just ignored the yard. The drip system kept things watered, so they grew even more out of control. Tons of weeds and this plant makes it really hard to walk around the pool.
You can hardly tell what plant is what and the poor flowers are almost dead.
These bushes are way out of control and cover up most of the flowering plants.
Jim kept saying all summer that when things cooled off we needed to bring a gardener in to drastically trim back all the shrubs and clean out the ground planting area and start over. Some plants had outgrown their time, so he wanted a fresh makeover. Last week, I called in a gardener to trim things up the way Jim wanted them. Such a huge difference. The yard almost looks naked, but he would have loved having things cleaned up and ready for new plants.
The Master Garden Club came and took all of Jim’s plants that he had on the tables. They also gathered up all of his pots and gardening things and some of the gardeners took them home to use. They are going to use some of his plants in a Memorial Garden in his name. He would be so honored.
Some of his garden things and pots all bagged up and his tables where he had his cactus and succulents are empty.
The veggie garden is done, so all the plants were pulled out.
The area around the pool was trimmed and the planting area cleaned out.
BEFORE –
Such a difference, now I have a clean slate to plant all new. AFTER
BEFORE –
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
The after looks totally naked.
It looks like I ruined the backyard, but I know Jim was right. He had a plan and I am going to try and put that plan into action. While I was in Lowe’s I picked up a few things to add a bit of color. This is just the beginning, I need soooooooooooooooo much more.
I’m off to the nursery to buy some plants that will turn this backyard back into a showplace just like he wanted. Soon it will look like this again.
I remember when you and Jim bought this home and added your pool. Love all the flowers and prayers to you Marty..
Such a beautiful pool area and such a gift to keep Jim’s love of gardening going so you can enjoy it for years to come.
Oh Marty it looks so great. Your pool area is gorgeous. So touching that Jim’s master garden club members came and took his plants and will do a small memorial garden in his name. How sweet. Continuing prayers Marty as you navigate your grief. I am sure this was hard to do the backyard without Jim. Big Hugs.
You can actually see and appreciate the varying shapes of the plants now. It will be beautiful again, and honoring to your Jim, but what a daunting task.
Looks great – the Robellini palms will grow like weeds – I have to battle mine in S. FL every other week. I am going to remove them over the winter and plant some farther away from the house. These are at least 22 years old we think. All of us think of you very often.
You will make it so lovely and Jim would be so proud of you, You need to enjoy this space that you and Jim loved so.
You are a strong and remarkable woman Marty.
I hope the weather cools off for you and fall turns out to be very nice. My sister lives in Tucson and she said the heat was horrible this summer.
Can’t wait to see what you do with the pool yard.
Hugs, Chris
Marty, your Garden looks wonderfully trimmed back and ready to add new plants to. . I am one of the a Master Gardeners, as you know. I took two little pots of interesting aloes apart and repotted the many aloe pups. There were enough to share and even plant in the new succulent garden we’ll be making. Jim loved the though of making a new garden for the public to enjoy, and we’ll enjoy helping make it happen!
Cherie
Marty, your space looks fabulous. Jim would have loved that open clean area for a new start. The garden Club is thoughtful to create the memorial garden for him. Looking forward to seeing your new garden space. Take care.
It looks beautiful and I am so happy that the garden members did the work for you. Continue to send up prayers for you and in the coming months. Sending you ((((hugs))).
He did a great job of trimming and cleaning up. No one would expect you to be able to keep up with all that Jim had going. I think it’s great that the master gardeners club people came out and took all of his potted plants. I remember when my neighbor who was a master gardener passed away, His wife had the gardeners come by and take everything. She had never gardened and he had extensive gardens around the yard. Just do what you know you can keep up with and maybe you’ll come up with some other uses for the now unused spaces.
Big hugs to you!
We are all looking forward to seeing what the Masters Garden Club members make in Jim’s honor. Please have them take photos of the process. It will be meaningful to both you and your children, as well as your friends and family.
Keeping busy is a healing antidote for you, Marty. Depend on God to grant you the peace you need at this time. He will never forsake you. I know that for a fact. 🙂
A beautifully touching post. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to change your backyard, even with the growth factor. The memorial garden is a wonderful idea and again, so touching.
I am a huge fan of ornamental grasses. They’re low maintenance, gorgeous, hardy in all temps and come in a variety of colors and heights. I bought mine small and planted them myself. They grew to 6 feet within a couple of years. I always like to suggest them when someone is redoing their landscaping, especially if they’re looking for low maintenance.
All of my best to you during this time of grief and change. I find your posts truly inspirational, thank you!
That’s a lot of hard work in the heat, but well worth it. All in due time Marty.
It will be exciting to see the memorial garden for Jim.
In our prayers.
Marty,
Your back yard is lovely and how wonderful that the Master Gardener’s Club will be planting a Memorial Garden in Jim’s name…
Everything looks beautiful!! I shared this post on FB…
Take care,
Hugs,
Deb
I think a memorial garden is such a wonderful idea. And I think they did a great job with the yard. Thinking of you…
Marty,
I love that you had the gardeners come in and prune everything up. It’s amazing how fast things can grow especially in your climate. Looks so neat and tidy and now you have room for new plants and color! I love that the garden club will be making a Memorial garden in your husband’s honor! Take care!
Good job…and the Memorial Garden sounds like a beautiful idea. Keeping you in my prayers…
I think it is a wonderful idea to have a garden planted in his memory!!! I’m sure he is looking down and smiling:)
It’s a lot to keep up and you are doing a great job! I live in Phoenix area, too. This summer was brutal! Cooler temps and blooming flowers will lift your spirits.
Marty,
What a wonderful tribute to your husband. You are doing a great job. Take care of yourself.
Kathy