In My Sister’s Garden-A Wistful Romp through a Drought Resistant Oasis "Spring is the time of the year, when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade." - Charles Dickens One of the great things about growing up on a farm in the boondocks is that your tribe is your family. We five siblings were as thick as thieves as we climbed trees, worked the fields, pulled fences, drove tractors, branded cattle, and planted the spring garden. We played, we quarreled, and we dug in the dirt together. By the time May arrived, we ached to get our hands grubby in the vegetable patch. Waiting for the vegetables to sprout and be harvested taught us patience and responsibility. Of course, Mom’s beautiful flower gardens would already be abloom by this time of year getting us into constant trouble because we were forever picking bouquets not only for her, but, for teachers, 4-H leaders, and Sunday masses. As we grew into adults, our love of the earth grew as well. Following in the big shoes of my Father, my brother continued the family tradition of being a farmer and has one of the most beautiful vineyards in the county. Our Mother’s love of gardening instructed the gardens of her girls. Recently I walked with my sister Debbie through her eclectic garden. There is a saying that “you can take the girl out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the girl.” With Deb, she’s never left the land where we were born. She is a country cowgirl through and through. She’s always adorned with her cowboy hat, rodeo belt buckle, and boots! She hunts, fishes, grows her food, and would have relished being a pioneer in the 1870’s. Debbie and her husband are the ultimate recyclers and re-purposers. With their barnyard of adopted animals-pigs, goats, donkeys, chickens, even Texas long horns at one time, all the weeds and garden cuttings feed the animals and the manure is then recycled back to the garden. They collect rooftop rain runoff in used wine barrels then pipe it to a storage tank to help with summer watering. It’s never enough, but every drop helps. Their garden art includes rusted plows, wooden swings, a plethora of homemade birdhouses, multiple fountains made from found objects, wagon wheels, antlers, the cutest country chicken coop you ever did see, and a sleeping shed outfitted with a bear hide, antique fishing gear, pinecones, and found treasures of every sort. From their patio they watch the wildlife on their hillside property-deer, bobcats, raccoons, turkeys, skunks, and the occasional mountain lion. It’s a playful, restful garden setting, albeit with a watchful eye for the rattlesnakes that enjoy this oasis as well. What I love about Debbie’s garden is how it reflects her unique personality, her love of the land, and her admiration for the history of the Wild West. As we ambled around the property with her happy dogs in the lead, the songbirds sang, a bevy of butterflies delicately landed on her flowers, and the koi in the pond swam to the surface to greet me. This time together immersed in this sustainable landscape nurtured my soul and brought our childhood memories to vivid life. Although we grow the same plants, shrubs, trees, and succulents in both of our yards, our designs and esthetics are completely different. And that’s the beauty of creating a garden, making it your own special paradise where you can find peace, tranquility, and restoration in tandem with the wild kingdom. TIPS TO CREATING YOUR OWN UNIQUE PLAYGROUND ⎫ Don’t over-think it! Make lists of everything you enjoy in a garden then do it. ⎫ Be conservation conscious as well as considerate of nature. ⎫ Be creative. Think swathes, angles, circles, and flow. There is nothing more boring than a box. ⎫ The hardscape must include natural materials: rocks, gravel, barn wood, shells, or anything meaningful to you. ⎫ Instead of buying art, repurpose childhood toys, old sinks, even a commode overflowing with flowers can be comical. ⎫ Be playful. When you are going to spend time in the outdoors, you want to enjoy yourself. Allow your personality to shine. ⎫ Add surprises, secret gardens, hedged rooms, anything that will enhance the whimsical and magical element to your garden experience. ⎫ Lead to a focal point or view with meandering paths, walkways, and trails. ⎫ Invite the pollinators; bees, butterflies, and birds by providing housing, nectar flowers, protection, fountains, and ponds. ⎫ Mix it up. For a drought resistant garden, consider an array of beautiful succulents, cactus, lavender, bulbs, iris, daylily, geraniums, and other plants that will add color, texture, form, and structure, yet require little maintenance and minimal water. ⎫ A potager, pots, or area designated for edibles and herbs is a must have. There is nothing better than picking your dinner from your own property. ⎫ Benches, swings, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and places to unwind, watch the clouds, savor sunsets, and marvel at the stars make your garden your home. ` What’s so fun about our family gardening experience is the sharing that we all do in giving each other clips, snips, cuttings, bulbs, and volunteers. We grow the same specimens and as we stroll and admire our handiwork, we can’t remember who gave what to whom first. As I said farewell to my sister, she handed me a hand-painted tin filled with blooming echeveria from clippings I had given her a few years before. We shared a laugh. Little did I know this would be the last walk with my sister. She died just a few days before this article was published. She would have loved to have seen her passion in print. Debbie may you garden in the heavens. The circle of life continues. Happy Trails to you, Debbie. Until we meet again... Read more: https://www.lam orindaweekly.com/archive/issue1006/Digging-Deep-with-Cynthia-Brian.html Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/313702488/My-Sister-s-Garden-Digging-Deep-With-Cynthia-Brian Radio Broadcast: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/92459/porn-alarm-effective-apologies-in-my-sisters-garden Press Pass: http://vapresspass.com/2016/05/24/in-my-sisters-garden-a-wistful-romp-through-a-drought-resistant-oasis-by-cynthia-brian/ ©2016 Cynthia Brian The Goddess Gardener Starstyle® Productions, llc Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com www.GoddessGardener.com 925-377-STAR Tune into Cynthia’s Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.com I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant. Keywords: Debbie’s garden my sister’s garden, a cowboy western garden, drought resistant plants, cynthia brian, lamorinda weekly, starstyle, goddess gardener.

ニューヨークにある低価格の中くらいなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (ファイヤーピット) の写真

There are an infinite number of possible designs, and outdoor fire pits no longer need to be just a round pile of rocks. I work with several basic styles of gas fed fire pits when I design outdoor gardens to enchant my clients. The popularity of fire pits and the fire effects they produce in the garden is one of fastest growing trends in outdoor design. The allure of sitting around a fire ring has been around since the beginning of mankind. Fire provides warmth, light, a cooking source and, of course relaxation. A dancing flame has a mesmerizing affect that encourages you to unwind and settle in. The popularity of fire pits, or conversation pits as they are commonly called, has grown rapidly in recent years. Proper design and construction will ensure a safe and enjoyable feature that will last several decades This fully equipped outdoor kitchen is separate from the rest of the living space, allowing the two areas to be utilized entirely on their own. outdoor kitchens are most efficient when it's zoned into logical uses. your cook space should have plenty of prep space, room to set down utensils and stage ingredients, and a comfortable buffer from the seating island to keep guests protected from the heat.

The redwood planter boxes are designed to make the difference in your garden, given its durability and classic design. Our planter boxes line has a variety of designs and sizes, using first class quality redwood. 100% solid redwood. Your choice of premium stained or transparent sealant. Features plenty long-term benefits, such as light weight, reliability, strength and resistance to decay, rot and weather elements. No assembly required. Home delivery. Drain holes are optional. Palm tree not included. We offer the most popular measures in this webpage, however if you are looking for a custom size, please let us know, we customize the designs upon request as well.

Diana Kempton
フェニックスにある低価格の広いサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな中庭のテラス (コンテナガーデン、天然石敷き) の写真

シカゴにある低価格のサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれなテラス・中庭 (パーゴラ) の写真

他の地域にある低価格の中くらいなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (レンガ敷き、張り出し屋根) の写真

ラスベガスにある低価格の小さなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれなテラス・中庭の写真

サンフランシスコにある低価格の小さなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな横庭のテラス (コンテナガーデン、天然石敷き、日よけなし) の写真

アルバカーキにある低価格の中くらいなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (レンガ敷き、日よけなし) の写真

A focal point for a kitchen window view.
ロサンゼルスにある低価格の広いサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (噴水、レンガ敷き、日よけなし) の写真

ヒューストンにある低価格のサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (張り出し屋根) の写真

ヒューストンにある低価格のサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (張り出し屋根) の写真

This easy-to-assemble redwood dining table will become the focal point of your dinner. Redwood’s beauty and durability will ensure countless family dinners, picnics and outdoor parties. • Outdoor tables are crafted from 4ft. to 10ft. of length and 38.5" wide, you can make combinations with chairs or benches.

ニューヨークにある低価格の中くらいなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (ファイヤーピット) の写真

フェニックスにある低価格のサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラスの写真

A green oasis in the middle of the city Invite your friends to a real outdoor experience – on your balcony! Greenery combined with comfortable seating and nifty storage solutions make this the number one place to hang out all summer long.

Totem de mosaïque sur bambou sur socle en bois naturel? Mosaïque d'émaux, pâte de verre, or et plumes
パリにある低価格のサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれなテラス・中庭 (日よけなし) の写真

ラスベガスにある低価格の小さなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭のテラス (コンクリート敷き 、オーニング・日よけ) の写真