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Jun 10, 2014 7:44 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Becky
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Hummingbirder Butterflies Seed Starter Container Gardener
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Birds Ponds
I love all the garden make-overs and beautiful results captured in photos of everyone's gardens and yards! Truly inspiring!!! I thought I would post my own make-over photos here, too! Maybe it might also help inspire others to create their dream garden/yard.

First let me say that I had a "brown" thumb prior to 2004. About the only thing that might survive in my yard were trees and shrubs. (And some of those did poorly.) In the Fall of 2004, the east coast of central FL was hit by not one, but two devastating hurricanes. Hurricane Frances and Jeanne. The Orlando Sentinel recently ran a story about the 2004 Hurricane Season: http://articles.orlandosentine...

It's a year I will never forget! These 3 photos show some of the damage to my home and yard:

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After the disaster, it was even worse because we were without power for almost 5 weeks total between both storms. We were in survival mode. We needed repairs inside and out! The waiting list to get those repairs done require the patience and faith of Job. The waiting list for homeowners insurance settlements and subcontractors to do the work was so long that most homes took anywhere from 3 months to over 2 years to repair completely. It was a nightmare! I never knew what MREs were until that year! (They are the military Meals Ready to Eat food packets!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M...
I've always had the utmost respect and a grateful heart for our military soldiers, but I never knew how their meals were prepared overseas during wartime! This was an eye-opening experience for me and my family, friends, and neighbors! It prompted me to send care packages to our soldiers after that!

After the damage was assessed, I could do little to fix the inside of the house, so I began working on the yard. First the clean-up, then a new fence was installed. I preferred to be outside or on my small screened porch most days. The repair workers inside needed room to work, so my family had to stay out of their way. The outdoors became my sanctuary. It's then that I decided to create the yard/garden of my dreams. Or at least ... a Better Homes and Garden look-alike! LOL! I started first by doing online research for gardening in my climate and area. I read gardening books from the library, bought gardening magazines, and did a lot of googling about garden beds to decide what I really wanted in my yard. All that helped me to decide what kind of garden I wanted. I love nature and wildlife, so I decided to create a Butterfly, Hummingbird, and Bird Habitat. I'd never seen a hummingbird in person, but read online that they can be found in FL in the Winter. So that was my mission! (My family and friends thought seeing a hummer in my yard was a long shot .... but if you plant it, they will come!) Big Grin

Let me also say that I am on a very limited annual gardening budget. It's ridiculously tight! So I have learned to re-purpose items, to grow plants from seeds, to make DIY structures/hardscaping, and to look for garden items at garage sales and estate sales, as well as trade with others for the plants/garden items I desire. I could never have afforded my current garden had I paid someone to do it all for me. And I would not have gotten the sense of purpose and pride from doing it myself. An unexpected surprise .... gardening is very therapeutic and healing. I only wish I had found the joy of gardening earlier in my life! (But it is NEVER too late!)

My yard is far from complete, but each year I add something new. A new garden area or outdoor hardscape structure. I've learned to plant the plants that take the longest to mature first, to add my DIY hardscaping, and then add the plants last. All on a frugal budget! If I can do it, anyone can!

These are some photos of my yard the beginning of 2014 before I started work on more raised beds, a vertical herb garden, and a long mulch path as well as a daylily border in my front yard. I was blessed with some hardscaping material for free, so I was able to accomplish quite a bit this Winter. Plants were grown from seeds, cuttings, or were bought on sale:

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Photo of one of the raised beds after completion:

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This is a photo of a cinder block raised bed that I was replanting with daylily seedlings. This was my 2013 DIY project. Cinder block is cheap, can be painted, and will last a very long time. (All my wooden framed raised beds had rotted and I decided using wood was a waste of money and time!):

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Though my yard/garden is not finished and won't be ... probably never ... here is an online slideshow of what it all looks like now including the butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, and plants. It's amazing how fast plants can grow from seeds or cuttings! It looks like a tropical paradise now! From barren to lush ... amazing how nature can heal itself and everything it touches! I hope you enjoy my journey. Ten years of gardening and I don't have any plans to stop any time soon!:

This video slideshow is how my yard looks currently: (It is best viewed in full screen mode.)
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
Garden Rooms and Becky's Budget Garden
Last edited by beckygardener Jul 4, 2014 7:26 AM Icon for preview
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Jun 14, 2014 12:14 AM CST
Name: Susan
Southeast NE (Zone 5b)
Cat Lover Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Heucheras Irises
Lilies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies
You've done wonders with your yard after all the damage. Beautiful, relaxing side show!
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Jun 14, 2014 7:57 AM CST
Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)
Bee Lover Garden Photography Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Region: United States of America
Region: Indiana Garden Art Annuals Clematis Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 2
Becky, I thoroughly enjoyed the slideshow!! What a wonderful transformation you have made to your little corner of the world. Glad that you have made a comeback from those awful hurricanes. It is obvious that you have built a paradise where birds, butterflies, and other critters feel welcome. Just beautiful!

I especially liked the vertical planters that kind of look like pallets. Those are very unique. How did you make those? I also liked the way you created focal points all around your garden. A lot of thought and hard work went into it, I'm sure!

You can be proud of what you have accomplished on a short budget. I've seen your hybridized daylilies many times in posts and they are just as beautiful as the ones that get registered. They say that 'necessity is the mother of invention'. We NEED to be surrounded by beauty and your ingenuity proves that we don't need to spend a lot of money to accomplish that. Congratulations on creating a beautiful garden Group hug
May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown
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Jun 14, 2014 8:58 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Becky
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Hummingbirder Butterflies Seed Starter Container Gardener
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Birds Ponds
Susan - Thank you! I am a firm believer that something good can come of something bad. I am glad you enjoyed the slideshow of my garden and yard.

Vickie - Thank you so much! So far the "transformation" journey is now into the 10th year. Much of the hardscaping in the backyard is about done, so this Spring I had the fun of adding more plants. I want to add some handmade garden art around my garden areas, too. But first things first.... as I do have to research about "garden art" because I don't have any creative bones in my body. I will have to copy or use part of someone else's ideas to incorporate art in my yard.

The vertical planters is a vertical herb garden. It is made from re-purposed items of which the frames were free. I wrote an article about it and submitted it to Trish/Dave a month or so ago. It has been approved, but I don't know when they will run the article here on ATP. You could tree-mail Trish to find out. Thanks for your interest and I hope when the article is published that you will find it easy enough to make one for your garden.

My yard is living proof that you can create a garden of your dreams ... while still being on a tight budget. It just takes time, patience, hard work, and a little ingenuity! Thumbs up
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
Garden Rooms and Becky's Budget Garden
Last edited by beckygardener Jun 14, 2014 9:04 AM Icon for preview
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Jun 14, 2014 11:41 AM CST
Name: Larry
Enterprise, Al. 36330 (Zone 8b)
Composter Daylilies Garden Photography Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Region: Alabama
Nice job, looks great!
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Jun 14, 2014 1:03 PM CST
Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)
Bee Lover Garden Photography Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Region: United States of America
Region: Indiana Garden Art Annuals Clematis Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 2
One thing about a garden, it is ever-changing. I don't consider myself very creative either. Here is a picture of some clay pots that my daughter turned into a lighthouse for me for Mother's Day.

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Not sure if you are on facebook or not, but there is a place called "Two Women and a Hoe" on there that have some great ideas for recycling items into garden art. Here is a frog made from tires that someone posted on their page. I just love it.

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May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown
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Jun 14, 2014 1:48 PM CST
Name: Larry
Enterprise, Al. 36330 (Zone 8b)
Composter Daylilies Garden Photography Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Region: Alabama
Love the pot lighthouse, could have used that idea when I had thousands of old tires to dispose of.
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Jun 14, 2014 5:34 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Becky
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Hummingbirder Butterflies Seed Starter Container Gardener
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Birds Ponds
Seedfork - Thank you!

Vickie - Oh how cute are those???!!!! I love the lighthouse! What a great way to use some clay pots as craft work to add some garden interest! No tires here, but that is also an adorable idea! See ... I'd have never thought of something like that.

I've been thinking of making some garden signs. You know ... signs that have something garden related, but also thought provoking or whimsical. Any ideas for a cute sign saying?
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
Garden Rooms and Becky's Budget Garden
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Jun 14, 2014 5:51 PM CST
Name: Larry
Enterprise, Al. 36330 (Zone 8b)
Composter Daylilies Garden Photography Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Region: Alabama
I have no ideas for cute signs, but you might check with Hobby Lobby, they usually have a lot of that kind of thing.
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Jun 14, 2014 8:06 PM CST
Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)
Bee Lover Garden Photography Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Region: United States of America
Region: Indiana Garden Art Annuals Clematis Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 2
I don't know if these sayings would be anything to your liking, but again, Two Women and a Hoe on facebook have some pretty neat stuff.

https://www.facebook.com/TWOwo...

https://www.facebook.com/Ameri...

https://www.facebook.com/photo...

https://www.facebook.com/TWOwo...

https://www.facebook.com/photo...
May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown
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Jun 14, 2014 9:22 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Becky
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Hummingbirder Butterflies Seed Starter Container Gardener
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Birds Ponds
Vickie - I love every single one of those signs/quotes! Those are great! That is exactly the kind of sayings I am looking for.

I found a funny one that I personally had not seen before:

Warning!!! All trespassers will be composted!

Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing That would make a great sign to hang on my gate!

Has anyone here painted small rocks/stones/large pebbles into cute animals or bugs or painted plant names to use them as plant labels? I am wondering what kind of paint to use and if I need to clear coat it with acrylic spray?
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
Garden Rooms and Becky's Budget Garden
Last edited by beckygardener Jun 14, 2014 9:24 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 15, 2014 3:11 AM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
Wow! Wow! WOW!

What an absolutely beautiful garden, and so many wonderful birds! I started watching the slide show, knowing I probably would quit soon because I couldn't imagine sitting through 7 minutes of slides, but I was mesmerized through the whole thing. It's a lovely show!
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Jun 15, 2014 6:07 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Becky
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Hummingbirder Butterflies Seed Starter Container Gardener
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Birds Ponds
Zuzu - Thank you for such a kind and very generous compliment! (I am saying this as someone who admires YOUR amazing roses and gardens!) I know the video is probably 5 minutes too long, but I had so many photos I wanted included. And it does flow in a relaxing way! ;-)

A gardener's work is never done, but the joy is also in the journey .... and the results! Thumbs up
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
Garden Rooms and Becky's Budget Garden
Last edited by beckygardener Jun 15, 2014 6:11 AM Icon for preview
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Jun 15, 2014 8:19 AM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
Plant Database Moderator Region: California Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Roses Clematis
Daylilies Houseplants Foliage Fan Birds Butterflies Bee Lover
Great job Becky! I was impressed with the lushness of your garden but what I enjoyed the most was the variety of bird, I smiled, imagining you sitting outside and be thrilled each time you had a feathered visitor, especially a hummingbird! Thumbs up

While I didn't have to start from total scratch in my garden (or recover from such devastation!) I know the feeling of gradually watching the transformation of something that seemed overwhelming at first to something that brings joy when I step outside.( I have been blogging my progress here on ATP.) I already had curved pathways and a few foundation planting but had to tear out a lot of overgrown shrubs and tons of weeds. It's fun to go back and look at early photos of any garden and see how hard work pays off! You have accomplished so much!
My gardening Blog!
Handmade quilts, new & vintage fabrics in my Etsy store. Summer Song Cottage
Instagram Sewing posts
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Jun 15, 2014 10:24 AM CST
Name: Veronica
zone 5b
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Butterflies Irises Region: Indiana
Hummingbirder Hostas Dog Lover Daylilies Cut Flowers Clematis
Bevy I just found your post and slide show. I just want to "amen" all the other posters.. It is absolutely gorgeous!!!
My attitude determines my altitude
A truly wise person uses few words; a person of understanding is even- tempered. Proverbs 17:27
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Jun 15, 2014 10:26 AM CST
Name: Veronica
zone 5b
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Butterflies Irises Region: Indiana
Hummingbirder Hostas Dog Lover Daylilies Cut Flowers Clematis
Sorry for getting off on the wrong foot by misspelling your name. vb
My attitude determines my altitude
A truly wise person uses few words; a person of understanding is even- tempered. Proverbs 17:27
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Jun 15, 2014 1:14 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Becky
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Hummingbirder Butterflies Seed Starter Container Gardener
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Birds Ponds
Sue - You are another gardening great whose gardens and plants I admire. It is an honor to get such a nice compliment for you! Thank you!!!

I do enjoy the garden critters. A garden isn't a garden without the wildlife, IMHO! I've been very blessed that I not only get a really interesting and colorful variety of birds here, but I had a bird bander come for the hummers in 2011(who banded 2 out of the 3 hummers in my yard) and this past Winter I had a different bander come to band the Painted Buntings (as well as the other birds) in my yard. Her assistant counted a total of 12 Painted Buntings (green birds (females or juvies) and the colorful adult male birds). This coming Winter, I have another bander who is going to try and make it all the way down (from north FL) to try to band my over-wintering Ruby-throated hummingbirds. I know I hosted 4 male RTHs this past Winter. They truly are a lot of fun to watch and photograph! In the process, I've sure learned a lot about some of these bird species! (On my YouTube account under "Becky C" you can watch actual videos of the Painted Buntings and Hummingbirds from previous years.) http://www.youtube.com/channel...

Veronica - LOL! No problem with the name! LOL! Thank you for the very nice compliment! I am glad you and others here did enjoy my story and current garden slideshow!

BTW - I am a nature-lover in other ways, too. I raise caterpillars and release the butterflies. I think that is another reason I have so many butterflies in my yard. I live in a typical neighborhood. Most of the neighbors don't have flowers in their yards. So they don't have much in the way of wildlife either. You look at my yard in passing by and you will see birds flying in and out along with a variety of butterflies. My home stands out like a sore thumb on my street. I wished more homeowners would grow flowering plants in their yard, too.

I never saw Zebra Longwing butterflies in my yard until I planted their host plant (certain Passiflora vines). They are the Florida state butterfly. I am currently raising about 25 of those caterpillars along with some Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, and Black Swallowtail caterpillars. I also have some Gold Rim (Polydamas) caterpillars on some of the Pipevines along my fence, as well as some host plants for the Sulpher (yellow) butterflies and the Giant Swallowtail butterflies. So I garden purposefully for the butterflies and the birds which do in fact come to my yard. My motto .... Plant it and they will come!

Zebra Longwing butterfly. (The cats are white with black spots and black spikey hair!):

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This is another very short video (a real video of the Firebush shrub and some Zebra Longwing butterflies). This video is less than 30 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
Garden Rooms and Becky's Budget Garden
Last edited by beckygardener Jun 15, 2014 1:31 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 16, 2014 5:23 AM CST
Name: Susan
Southeast NE (Zone 5b)
Cat Lover Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Heucheras Irises
Lilies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies
I think the Squirrels must have paid the bluejay to feed them.

Here is a quote I like.

"Grass is just a flower bed in waiting."
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Jun 16, 2014 12:02 PM CST
Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)
Bee Lover Garden Photography Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Region: United States of America
Region: Indiana Garden Art Annuals Clematis Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 2
I could watch butterflies all day. They are so graceful looking.
May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown
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