Sharon has come a long way, and should be proud of the progress she's made with her garden.
"My name is Sharon Goetchius and I live in Stony Brook, New York. Drooling over all the magnificent pictures you posted each day, I've decided to submit mine. I live and breath gardening and I still can't believe that I've been able to create all of this. I still remember TRYING to prepare my first bed, when we bought our house 13 years ago. I think it took me an hour and a half to dig a hole, big enough for one tiny plant! We had so much clay in our soil. Now I can't even FIND a place to dig! When I do lift that shovel, just to change the scenery, it's so much easier! All that compost I've made (which makes my plants sometimes look like they're on steroids) certainly has paid off. Whenever I get the chance to just sit back and take it all in, usually with a glass of wine at dinner time, I still say the same thing, "I absolutely can't believe that I've created all this!" And, then, I usually turn to my husband and say, "Remember that first hole?!" Just for extra measure I've included a picture of the yarn balls I made to finish off the ends of my garden stakes. You see I'm also a knitter and had to incorporate that into my garden, of course!"
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Comments
Well what a breath of fresh air you bring to GPOD today, Sharon! Your enthusiasm and passion for gardening shine through, and these together with your persistence have resulted in a very interesting, innovative, colourful and fun garden. Your grandchildren are very lucky to have such a switched on, active and imaginative (e.g. plants on steroids) grandma. Cheers, Frank
Good morning, Frank! Thank you so much for for your compliments! You certainly have me pegged! How funny!???
Thanks for responding Sharon. I really enjoy the dialogue involved in GPOD, especially when authors of posts participate.
It is actually 10 at night here in Australia. I post early because it is 12 noon here when I access GPOD posts i.e. you guys are sound asleep, with the exception of my good mate, Kev. Hooroo from Oz.
Sharon, you have created a fabulous retreat and rightfully so, should be so proud of your accomplishments. I love when plants with different textures are planted tightly and allowed to intermingle.
You and your husband have created the most interesting use of a dead tree that I have ever seen. I absolutely love the gnome house. The other features you have created, the birdhouses, the stakes with colorful yarn balls, the sign, and the great birdhouse in the 3rd to last photo, all accent your garden perfectly and make it your own. Well done. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Kevin! It is my pride and joy.....well after my grandchildren! I just love playing in the dirt! And, with my husband's penchant for his projects, we've had lots of fun!
Sharon, your husband's sense of whimsy is undeniable. Glad your sod busting panned out. Very pretty results. Kudos!
Your pictures and personality packed commentary are thoroughly entertaining and downright heartwarming, Sharon. I love what a co-conspirator your husband has been in adding those one of a kind touches that evoke a story and a fond memory. Does Streptocarpella have a common name that might ring a bell with me? It looks delightful as the companion to the begonias. All your plants seem to be brimming with health and vitality and. although you are giving added compost the credit, I'd say your doses of TLC also have a lot to do with it.
Good morning, Sharon. Amazing what some teamwork and passion can lead to. I can relate to your garden narrative, and it's pleasant to see how you and your husband's influences blend in the beautiful result. Wonderful plant combinations. The azalea cluster is striking. And I must tip my hat to your husband on the tree stump, and probably gonna borrow the idea in some fashion. I just had to cut down my bald cypress this weekend, but left a chest-high stump, as I figured something might be done with it. And here you come with this fantastic story and idea. Much appreciated.Thank you for sharing.
Wow, Sharon! Everything is stunning. I think I need to concentrate on mass instead of 3 itis! I can't even decide what I love the best!
Beautiful pics of a beautiful woman's yard! Congratulations Mom. It is such a well deserved honor to be featured. The passion you put into your garden's is truly amazing and shines through in all the pictures!
Lovely of you to endorse our assessment of your mom's passion for gardening etc., and lovely of you to show your appreciation of and support for your mom, Lana.
Your hard work really has paid off, Sharon. Looks great. I love all of the bird houses, too. Do they get residents every year? I have to admit that I thought to myself 'yarn-balls, schmarn-balls' until I saw the photo: you've won me over-very whimsical!
Absolutely gorgeous Sharon! I love the combinations, the creativity, and all of your bird houses! I am just a bit envious…
As if I needed any more coaxing to create a fairy/gnome area in my garden! Absolutely love what you and hubby created out of the lost tree. I need a close up picture of that please. Your love of gardening is certainly apparent by all the beauty you have created. Bravo! Vikki in VA.
Go for it, Vikki! Promise to send pics! Will do early next week! Thank you so much for your sweet words!?
Wonderful Sharon, the whole garden is made up of pictures. Very lovely and very whimsical but not at all overdone. I am a knitter, too, so love to see the creativity of playing with the yarn balls!
I am not a fairy garden gardener but I do love your husband's Gnome House! A wander around your beautiful garden ending with a glass of wine, sounds perfect.
Hi Sharon, you and your hubby have created a lot of beauty! Thanks for sharing. Is your Streptocarpella hardy outside? It is only a houseplant for me in Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Hi! Thank you so much for your sweet words! This is the strepocarpella's second season..was a houseplant over the winter and now is back out there! I have it in a shady spot that gets hit with the sprinkler and NEVER even have to give it a drink! It's truly one of my favs!?
Sharon, I LOVE the blue and the purple as well! Actually the blue and the purple are a must have in the garden. How do you cope with controlling the Morning Glory? I have to constantly keep an eye on them in the garden or they will take over. They are my mischievous children. :). Great garden!
Sharon, your gardens are bursting with personality and joy! It is so obvious that each and every plant has been lovingly positioned to bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Your narratives tell the stories of the how and the why and your photos show the beauty of your visions. I love it all... especially the giant gnome home! I can easily imagine all the whispering that goes on when your young grandson sneaks around the hammock to see if any of the gnomes are out playing. His imagination must go into hyperdrive when he visits his ShaSha! You and your 'man' make a wonderful team!
Sharon, your gardening story is one that I think many of us can relate to but you certainly have an extra dose of creativity. Your grandchildren are very lucky that their Sha Sha and her man have made such a beautiful garden for them. Thanks for sharing.
I too love purple and blue and I love your garden and your joyful personality! Your color and texture combinations are great. I never would have thought of planting a Streptocarpella outside in the garden. It looks very happy, but I hope you take it in in the fall. They are wonderful house plants, like all the Gesneriads - African violets, sinninigias, etc. I love Strep-
tocarpus too - they have larger flowers and a broader color range. Your yarn balls are a great idea - too bad I don't knit. You should be very proud of your creation - along with your husband's creative input - you have done a great job.
Thank you so very much! What kind words! And..yes I do take the streptocarpella inside! As a matter of fact, this is its second summer and I was a bit doubtful at first, as it was kind of loosing it..but it is so amazing now!!! You know, you should make yarn balls, even though you don't knit..they're just fun! Enjoy!?
Beautiful. Loved hearing the exuberance in your post !!!!
What a beautiful creation you've added to this world Sha Sha! I love your yarn ball stakes and I have come close to poking my eye out before. I love all the purple - just beautiful!
Purple's my favorite garden color, too, so I am really enjoying your photos. The yarn balls are brilliant! (So is your husband.)
Hello there, fellow gardeners! Just wanted to thank you all for totally making my day! You all made me feel like a celebrity! Not only did you say the kindest things, but you obviously took the time to truly go above and beyond! Gardeners are certainly an amazing 'community'!????
I love the garden gnome tree house. brilliant
Great Gardens!
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