Friday, May 27, 2011

~ Small Space Gardening ~ Kitchen Courtyard Before & After


It's done!



When you saw this picture last, the work on the new garden area was just getting under way. This was before, which doesn't seem so bad right here.

There were a few reasons for a complete makeover, but the one thing that started it all, one of the most important reasons, was the need to fence it in completely because Cody Pup was (is) such an escape artist and we live on a corner with traffic on one side. Since Cody thinks running as fast as he can without looking first is great fun, it was scary to think he might get out the door by accident, or by his planning.

Also the ground had become lower towards the house which is not a good thing. So all the planted area closest to the house had to be dug out, and the dirt moved and leveled better and draining towards the the gravel pathway.


The second big reason was just the simple fact of wanting it to be looking really good again. We took apart the landscape stone wall on the berm and rebuilt it. Roots and settling over the years had made it no longer level, and it just bugged me enough to fix it. Not a big change, lots of work, but I'm happy we did it.


We added a second archway to mimic the one that was towards the front of the house. Then added gates to each archway.



There also was a French drain under the gravel path and it needed to be redone after the several years it had been there. This was a big job, taking out the old one, moving most of the stones, and re-digging the trench and gravel pathway. So before we knew it, we were in the middle of really taking almost everything out and starting from scratch. Picking up all those pebble rocks used previously was as much work as digging up any plants. But Sweet Hubby just got to it, and never complained that I was undoing and redoing something .... again.


It's fenced in on all sides now with new gates at each end. Just perfect for when Cody wants to come out and help me garden. He's great at digging, fetching the plastic pots the plants come in, but not too good at planting anything yet.



See Y'all Soon~


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28 comments:

  1. Oh my, it is absolutely gorgeous. I love how pretty and inviting it is. Such a lovely spot to sit and relax. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Simply stunning! Love the archways and the gates too. The variation of colors in the flower beds add to the overall beauty of the space. Nicely done :)

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  3. Oh Donna I love the courtyard!! I would so love to have you come and design mine for me!!! This is just beautiful!!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  4. Oops I forgot- I would love to show off your pretty area on my Discovering beauty series next week. If that would be ok would you let me know- I will be sure to link back to your post!

    Thanks !
    mary

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  5. Oh you should be soooo pleased with what you've done here...it's a picture. Ever considered a trip to Australia? Come stay, whip my place into shape, I promise to be a fab host and to take you sightseeing!

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  6. I love what you've done to your garden. It looks so pretty and inviting! x Sharon

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  7. What a lovely and beautiful garden that you have in there. I love how it is being landscape..

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  8. It's beautiful, Donna! All that hard work certainly paid off! I did like it even "before", but it is just enhanced with what you've done. I would love to have an area like this when we downsize. I don't need the big yard anymore ~ a courtyard would suit me just fine!

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  9. Your gardens look just fantastic! You should be very proud of yourself - well done!!!

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  10. Your garden is incredible!! Absolute perfection.....great job!! New to your blog and its wonderful...so impressed by what you did. Will be back, plesae visit me too.

    www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

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  11. wow...the attention to detail really shows. i know you'll enjoy it for many years to come!

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  12. Donna- That is an amazing looking space- I love it! It was well worth the work you did..and now you can really just enjoy it! Beautiful!!!! You have a very good eye for the "big picture". Love it- Diana

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  13. Hello Donna,
    Stunning results! Love the fence, the walls, the pathway and most especially the flowers! Simply Gorgeous!
    Kathy

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  14. it looks beautiful! you did an amazing job! thank you for stopping by!! susan

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  15. Love love LOVE your blog! Your garden is absolutely positively SPECTACULAR!! (Thank you SO MUCH for your kind comment on my puny blog...coming from YOU especially, it made my day!)

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  16. Absolutely Beautiful it looks like it is from a magazine.. Well done you. Frances

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  17. Dear Donna, I would be THRILLED if my house looked like your BEFORE shot! You need to submit this to Better Homes and Gardens--seriously. It is gorgeous.

    Blessings,
    Marilyn

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  18. This looks beautiful, so pretty and wonderfully designed and put together. What a great job you did.

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  19. Donna it came out awesome, love it and love that Cody will be safe and sound....

    Great job....now can you come and do my side yard :)

    Have a great week....

    Kathy :)

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  20. This is gorgeous. I wish my yard looked like this! The fences and gates are so pretty!!

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  21. OMG!! What an absolutely stunning garden!
    It is just beautiful!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  22. Popping over to say hello for the "Blog Party"! What a beauiful garden - so charming! Hope to see you link it up to Cottage Flora Thursday's???? xoox, tracie

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  23. Courtyards areas hold such charm...Your courtyard is gorgeous...I can tell a lot of hard work went into it too. I could sit out there for hours... Thanks for the tour :)
    Congratulations on a job well done!
    Q~

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  24. Stopping over from the blog party. I absolutly love your space. I am happy I found your blog to follow.

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  25. Stopping by from ginormous block blog party. Love the backyard! New follower! Visiting from
    http://imnotatrophywife.com

    laura

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  26. Donna.....this is a spectacular garden.....love the arched trellis! Just a wonderful place to sit and read or dream:D

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  27. Oh I just found this on Pinterest - it's gorgeous!! What a beautiful job you did - thanks for the inspiration!

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Donna