Shifting landscapes
Posted: May 18, 2015 Filed under: before and after, Garden, Photography, Summer | Tags: diy, flowers, gardening, veggies, yardwork 14 CommentsTraipsing across the parking lot of the Home Depot this afternoon, I was confronted with a harsh, and deeply unpleasant reality. As the vicious sun attacked my helpless pupils and a band of sweat hugged the back of my neck, there was no more denying the truth. Summer is coming.
Austin has been blessed this year with an uncharacteristically long spring season. A mild winter was followed by an outpour of restorative rains that resulted in a long and fruitful growing season, cool spring afternoons and many a porch beer.
The encroaching heat serves as a disappointing reminder that soon we will replace counting fire flies over IPAs with swatting mosquitoes over profanities. The end is nigh, but I am careful NOT to take for granted the swath of magical spring nights we were fortunate enough to enjoy before the season turned against us. Not just this year, but every year. The garden has seen some amazing transformation since we first made it ours some 4 years back.
Indeed gardens are ever evolving and an endless learning experience. Let’s hope for a less brutal summer and more growth in every way.
This May was the wettest we have had on record in the last 20 years. I won’t mind one bit if our summer is that way too.
Such a beautiful collection of photos – how amazing to have proof of the change!! Wonderful efforts, everything looks so green and luscious, you should be very proud 🙂
Thanks Mandii. It’s always changing, never a dull moment in the garden.
Awesome transformation
You need to come see it in person!
I’ve just been swatting the mosquitoes, swearing, whilst drinking the IPA and spraying myself with bug spray, careful not to get the spray into said beer.
The yard is looking great! This is our next project after painting the house exterior. I had a horticulture guy come out to help me with yard ideas. Austin, and central Texas itself is a crazy set of ecosystems as we sit between two different systems (I guess it splits downtown right around Congress) so knowing your area, the soil, where the sun hits and when, is important.
Good luck on future ventures. I always look forward to your posts.
Haha, I’ll have to follow your advice re: the bug spray and IPA. Thanks for reading!
You’ve done such a great job transforming a barren landscape into something comfortable and homey! I’m in the process of landscaping now and it’s rough. I have an eye for interior decor, but when it comes to the outdoors, my ideas are as barren as the landscape. Thank you for the shot of inspiration!
Thanks Kristen. Good luck with your project!
GREAT PICS & BLOG OVERALL! I’m now a follower & can’t wait to see more!
As a new homeowner, it’s interesting and invigorating to see how homes and landscapes evolve with us!
Looks great Kelsey! The rain has been great for our gardens as well minus the mosquitoes!!! You have done a great job with your place! Love it!
Looks great Kelsey! The rain has really helped our gardens too. Although i could definitely loose the skeeters! You guys have done a great job with the house!! Love it!