Today’s photos are from Barbara Vanderhoof in Mears, Michigan. Barb says, “Mears is a little town in middle western Michigan about a mile from Lake Michigan, so I garden in a lot of sand amended with compost.
“Prior to moving here from the Chicago suburbs I had never gardened in my life, but now that I had a little property, I decided to try it! I’ve learned a lot through trial and error, but now I think I’m getting the hang of it. I’ll never say my garden is finished, because, as we all know, it never will be!
“I have only about 4-5 hours of sun a day, so I grow a lot of shade-lovers, such as ‘Annabelle’ ‘Limelight’, oakleaf, and ‘Invincibelle Pink’ hydrangeas. I also have a number of different hostas throughout my gardens.
“My yard is separated into sections. One of the pictures is of my side yard with a bubbler fountain and cement bench. There is also a picture of my newest addition, an old cast-iron bathtub that I made into a shower fountain. It even has some little goldfish swimming around in it! The other two pictures are of my bog garden, the pond was actually 2 separate ponds, with a wooden bridge over the center to make it look like one big pond.
“Last year, the smaller pond sprung a leak, so instead of digging it up and starting over, I filled it in with dirt and decided to grow all the plants I can’t grow elsewhere here, such as astilbe, some flag irises, and ligularia.
“The last picture I put in for my wonderful hubby, who doesn’t garden, but he does build me great decorative items, such as birdhouses and that beautiful barn wood shed!”
Wonderful, Barb, and you’re so lucky to have a handy husband to help you out! Thanks so much for sharing with us.
_______________________________________________
Want us to feature YOUR garden in the Garden Photo of the Day? CLICK HERE!
Want to see every post ever published? CLICK HERE!
Want to search the GPOD by STATE? CLICK HERE!
**Check out the GPOD Pinterest page, where you can browse all the post in categories…fun! CLICK HERE!**
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Comments
Barb, looks like you have a very effective learning curve with your modest admission of being a "trial and error" gardener (ha, trust me, we all share that description). All your plant material looks like it's thriving and I love the sense of whimsy that abounds throughout. Your most recent project of the cast iron tub is a sure smile generator especially if little fish are swimming about. Your husband does great work and I know how important his contributions are.
Absolutely delicious! I am so envious of your goldfish!!! Oh to relax under that shower! What a blessing to share your love of gardening with a very talented husband. It is obvious you both love and enjoy your property,gardens and each other!
You are doing fabulous as a new gardener! Love the fact you can see them from the windows, I just know your planting bulbs and evergreens for winter interest and spring's arrival! Looking forward to next year's photos. As winter sets in and dream season arrives ah! a cup to tea and garden catalogs and books with snow on the ground,as the gardens and gardeners both rest.
Thanks for sharing...
I love your pond planting! Thanks for sharing, Barbara!
Barbara, your garden looks very relaxed and low maintenence... weeds pop up just smother them with a bathtub! lol I really like that bathtub with a shower, great kitch. One thing I'd suggest to let more sun in is to remove a lot of those old spindly limbless conifers, they are also dangerous so near your house as they're shallow rooted and with all their resistance on top and growing is sandy soil they'd come down easily in a wind. I'd take down all of them and plant some shorter growing conifers and small understory trees, redbud forest pansy does very well in partial shade. Thank you for sharing.
Love the little house in the woods with the bird house nearby.
The plantings are so beautiful and natural.
I can see that a lot of work has gone into the making of your garden. I especially like the little shed with the quartet of birdhouses nearby. Hooray for accommodating husbands!
I think Trial and Error is the only way to go----"Oh, that didn't work, well what can we put in its place that will thrive?" It keeps you interested and trying new things.
Keep at it!
Barb, you have exactly the right approach to gardening! When the smaller pond sprung a leak, you looked at the upside and put in plants that like the moisture a leaky pond bed would provide. Smart thinking and less work!
Barbara, we share the same "mostly shady" garden; you've done a fantastic job with plant selection. This year, I added one hydrangea 'Twist & Shout', which did OK they don't typically love our dry climate & alkaline soil. I've been wanting to try the oakleaf hydrangeas as I read they are more adaptable. Love anything lime (and of course purple! Thanks for the inspiration.
Hello my dear
My name is Joy I am a girl single and never married, please contact me
back in my e-mail address [email protected] and I will give you my picture and further details thanks.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in