A walk back (April version)

I had an idea flash through my head this morning while running.  Once a month, why not post older photos from the garden from that given month.  It's gone through so many changes, why not?! The oldest photo I can find of the back, April 2012.  Little Vincent lounging on the couch 💕. We had grass put in, and played some badminton from time to time.  The green house on the right was the chicken coop for 14 years. When we first moved in the entire back was dirt & weeds.  One of these months the digging of the pool will turn up.
Olivia collecting eggs on the front porch, Easter morning, 2013. I can't believe how small the street tree is.  Also, I realized I took photos of people back then not really plants or my garden.  That changed over the years!  
In 2013, we planted the tulip tree in the front.  I had removed that tiny circle of grass for it, ah soon I would keep going with that. Along with grass in the front, the bushes "came" with the house. 
 Above the pool, 2014.
We made a trek out to the Petaluma seed bank during spring break, 2014. 
2015 there is evidence of my need to change things. Those tools are long gone. 
The grass area is shrinking. 
The raising of the ducks, they moved from the garage to their outdoor enclosure April 2016. They were hilarious creatures.  Very social and friendly. 

It was around the same time I started laying the paths, they stand fairly the same today.  One of the actual thoughtful things I accomplished back then,  keeping them all roughly 3' wide.  
Path along the back of the garden, running in front of the slope, I took ALL the grass out we had previously installed.  lol.  The ducks eventually took care of the grass inside their run for me. 
Far back, I think I did these raised beds because it would flood here in the winter.  An event the ducks LOVED! 

From 2021, when I rescued this ponytail palm from a not too far neighbor.  *One of the wheels on the handtruck was flat, which I didn't realize until I was huffing & puffing this home. The front is also grass free by this point. 
Ivan dug the hole for it. His enthusiasm for hole digging is apparent, Sophia got in!  *All those tiny plants, I really didn't know where to find anything back then - I was buying everything from etsy.  
And after, I remember being so excited to have a larger specimen there.  Everything has changed so much. 
And last,  I believe this is right before we painted the house.  That big bay laurel had grown completely out of control, I chopped up the bulk before the painting took place.  Ivan got the root out for me, it was a beast!
And that's a wrap!  I think I started blogging fairly soon after this point.  

Comments

  1. As the old commercial said, “You’ve come a long way, Baby.”

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    1. Ha! You know, I remember the saying - but not what ad that's from? I'm off to google. Why do I think it's Virginia Slims?

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  2. This was so fun. I love seeing the ducks.
    I had ducks for two years. Last year we had to get rid of our chickens and ducks because of a change in ordinance in our community.

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    1. Oh man! The ducks were definitely more work than the chickens - but they were all so fun, you had a little farm, too. That's sad you had to get rid of it.

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  3. Oh fun! I love seeing before photos. Ducks! That was a serious enclosure.

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    1. It was all PVC pipe and netting, so fairly lightweight. I think the hardest part was digging a trench for the base. Oh, they were so cute!

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  4. That is a great idea. It is fun and always surprising to look back and see how things have changed. I love the way you blocked out the neighbors houses that were peeking above the fence in the first photo!

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    1. I didn't notice that, they are LOOMING! I think the photo is a little misleading, there is a pathway between us.

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  5. What a fun trip down memory lane, Tracy! Your garden sure has changed!

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  6. Wow, this was really fun--to see the changes through the years! Your garden was beautiful in the past, too, but it's really nifty and unique in its current form. Very nice!

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    1. Thank you Beth, it's been a big learning process - one that will never stop.

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  7. It's funny how everything is so grass and such, and then you go down this path that takes the yard in a whole 'nother direction.

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    1. Ha, I like the way you said that. I was actually shocked to see when the paths were started. I can thank the ducks.

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  8. The kids have grown, the house changed, the garden (and gardener) evolved. I love seeing all the changes. A cool theme to post about.
    Whatever happened to the ducks? And to the tree threatening to consume your house in the lsat photo?
    Chavli

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    1. Sadly, we're fairly certain the ducks were murdered by a husky that lives a couple houses down :(. He also killed Dr. Feelgood's brother Louie in our backyard. So sad, and incredibly frustrating - he has killed other pets on our street as well. The dog is now listed as "vicious". I've not gotten to forgiveness quite yet, a work in progress. The Bay tree, we took out. I loved it, it was pretty year round and great for cooking. I planted it in a terrible spot, not considering it's ultimate size.

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  9. OMG! The descent into madness! Ha ha - just kidding. Really though, wow, what a lot of changes from where you started. It's fun to see the things that you did that lasted and the others that faded away. I miss having ducks and chickens. I initially thought I would get some now that I live out in the country. But, it's been 18 years and now I don't want the responsibility.

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    1. Ha ha ha! I agree, they require time and commitment. Plus the inevitable, can we leave for a few days?

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  10. What an eye opener! Crazy how much your garden has changed, I hardly recognize it.

    Looking at old photos is such a fun exercise and a valuable learning experience.

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  11. Wonderful adventures when we look back and see the trouble we got into!

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  12. Non immaginavo fosse così! Il prato con persone come noi non dura, pian piano negli anni si stringe sempre di più! Bello però vedere il passaggio da un giardino 'semplice' ad un giardino di cactus e aloe!

    Un caro saluto!

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I'd love to hear from you, ~Tracy