Jul 19, 2012

My Urban Garden



One of the things I love about living in Idaho is the marked change of seasons and the rebirth of my garden each year. 

Here are a few reminders of what my garden looked like when I first posted about it on my blog back in March, compared to what it looks like now. The lush  green of summer has replaced the stark grey of winter. 

The view of my neighbors' houses from my backyard deck is screened by the summer leaves on the trees now, and we all have plenty of outdoor privacy.

 
The bare raised planting beds of winter are full of summer herbs, flowers, vines, and vegetables.
 
 
And the heat-tolerant plants are thriving on the narrow south side of my tiny urban yard between the house and fence.


There are onions, marigolds, zinnias, basil and green peppers,


tomatoes,
 

carrots and beets,
 

oriental eggplant,
 

potatoes,
 

and green beans.
 


 We don't have an automatic sprinkler system, so I'm it. Each morning I give the garden a deep drink of water and enjoy looking for the changes from the previous day. It's amazing how much can grow in a garden in twenty-four summer hours.


It's too hot here in midsummer to do much in the garden other than water and harvest, but when I got tired of seeing the ugly air conditioner over there in the corner, I whitewashed some old shutters to screen it. 



I also made some directional signs inspired by some I saw on Pinterest. You can stand right next to these signs and see everything they point to because my yard's so small, of course. You sure don't need a sign to guide you. 

But I just love the humor in that.  


 I found a bit more of my yard junk art while rummaging around in the shed. A favorite bird with a broken base perches on an old window frame leaning against the fence. 


The family is done-up on a rusty metal plant stake.
 

A few dollar store tin stars hang on an old wood ladder trellis. 
 

And a thrift store beer sign hangs on the deck.


Most of our hot midsummer afternoons are spent in air conditioned interiors, but in the evening when it cools off, we'll sit out on the deck and enjoy cold drinks and a barbeque, accompanied by fresh herbs and produce from the garden. 

Next winter seems so far-off, but knowing that our warm green summer is just one of four very different seasons of the year inspires us to enjoy every moment of today.

   Thanks for coming by to see what's been going on in my garden. 
I hope you're enjoying your summer! 



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Please join me at these terrific link parties today!

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Rooted in Thyme 
Fishtail Cottage 
The Charm of Home 

17 comments:

  1. the garden looks so good right now! I can't wait until you harvest all those veggies and we can grill them up and eat them! Yum! I really like your little direction sign!

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  2. Great before and after pics Laurel! It's a great feeling when Mother Nature brings you such splendid gifts! Enjoy your bounty!

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  3. I LOVED your before and after pics and the tour of the garden! Your little bird on the window frame is adorable too. Wonderful post! :)

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  4. What a wonderful garden! I just love the changes you showed from winter to summer :)

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  5. I love your "tiny, urban yard"! Working with smaller, intimate, outdoor spaces is so much fun. I used to live in the city with a small courtyard and I turned it into something quite special. Now I have too much land to work with and maintain! LOL!

    Great touches everywhere! I love the old, wooden, window frame.

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  6. Love your garden and garden beds. Such whimsy, such fun!
    Brenda

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  7. You've done so much with your space and every single touch makes it a delight! Good idea using the shutters as a screen. Your description of your time out here in the evenings makes me long to go sit a spell and enjoy the end of my day outside. But alas, the lawn needs to be mowed, and that would be me who needs to go do it as well as water the yard and the plants. We don't have an automatic sprinkler either, but sometimes I enjoy the fact that I have to slow down and go outside and experience the world and then get to enjoy the beauty out there myself while I do it. Otherwise, I'd hole up in the house with the AC on and forget what it's like out there. Loved your post!
    Liz

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  8. Your gardens look wonderful Laurel! Don't you just love veggies fresh from your very own garden? And I love the little touches of whimsy! I'm with you on the changes in seasons. There is always something to appreciate. I don't think I would enjoy living in a place where the weather was always the same.

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  9. What's wonderful use of space! This looks fantastic, both the gardens and the whimsy. Looks like the perfect place for an evening cookout!

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  10. This is a wonderful garden. So smart on the way you used the space. Everything looks like it is doing well.

    Cynthia

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  11. I LOVE your garden! Great idea about the AC screens. I need to make a screen for ours because it just huge. What a difference a little foliage can make with your privacy huh!? Same with us here!

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  12. Love the before and after photos. Great idea to show what a big difference since March. It's amazing how everything has grown so beautifully. Thanks for sharing your awesome garden on Simple & Sweet Fridays.

    Jody

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  13. amazing what a little time does in a garden, right...you are creating a fantastic sanctuary for yourself....so happy and lush...thank you for linking up to Fishtail Cottage's garden party this week! xoox, tracie

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  14. Your garden is doing so well, Laurel! It's simply beautiful. Love that little bird perched on the window frame. :)

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  15. I love your little garden beds. The carrots and beets are so pretty! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  16. I will feature today! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  17. I love your garden! We're about to do the same with our even smaller garden in NYC this month. We don't have any sun either, just filtered, because of large trees. What do you grow in your garden in the shade that works?

    Thanks

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