Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A Different Kind of Gardening


At this time of year it seems there is so much to be done.
In addition to the day to day tasks in the house, we now find ourselves busy with the seemingly never ending jobs outdoors. . .
~ weeding, pruning, planting, watering, weeding ~
(sound familiar?)


And while I really do enjoy working in the garden, sometimes it's nice to take a day off and head out to enjoy other people's gardens.
The garden walk we attended on Saturday allowed us the chance to do just that.


It's interesting to see the different types of gardens people create.
This fun-loving couple created a tropical paradise on their lakefront lot.  They included many types of palm trees.  When asked how they survived our winters, which sometimes include snow, he said he wraps the trees in a heat retaining wrap.  Now that's a dedicated gardener!


In amongst the palm trees sat a tropical playhouse.
He said it was her "tiki hut" and his "time out hut".
Inside there was a TV, wicker furniture and beach music playing.
Not a bad place to spend "time out."


If the tropical paradise wasn't to your liking, another garden offered a large vegetable garden situated next to a horse farm.


A mobile chicken coop was brought in for the occasion.



To arrive at one of the gardens we drove down a country lane past this old barn building.  It was once a dairy farm.  


Having always lived and gardened in the suburbs, I thoroughly enjoy the peacefulness and laid back feeling of the country.  I think it would be nice to sit right here sipping my iced tea while reading a good book.  Would I really be happy living out in the country?  Hard to say, but for this one day it was fun to experience it.

***

 Edited to add:  I was asked in comments if I had picked up any good ideas on the garden walk.  One of my favorites was a simple way to grow clematis .



This clematis was growing straight up in the front of the border.
It appeared to be freestanding.  Knowing that clematis can't grow straight up without support, I took a closer look.  It was growing on a piece of rebar that had been stuck into the ground.  What a simple, yet effective idea.  This is one idea I plan to try.

23 comments:

  1. Looks like a beautiful garden tour. I bet it was fun to see the different styles. I agree, that looks like a great place to read a good book. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. A nice tour, Kim. I love the "time out/tiki hut. I would spend a lot of time in there. xo

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  3. Kim,
    What a lovely garden tour. Great places to visit.
    The yellow and red chairs are wonderful.
    Living in the country would be wonderful, but gardening where one is, is fabulous!

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  4. What a great garden tour.
    I like the country but like living close to every thing too. That's why we are enjoying our land in the woods so much. We have the best of both worlds.
    I love those chairs!!

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  5. Thanks for the tour! I so enjoy visiting other gardens too. I am your newest follower.

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  6. What a pretty place! Would love to have a hut to retreat to! :-)

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  7. What a nice variety of gardens to tour. I love a good Garden Tour myself. Did you get any ideas? Is your hubby going to build himself a "Time-out" hut? =D

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  8. Vee,
    I did pick up some ideas. I think one of my favorite ideas was to grow clematis up a piece of rebar. It was done at the front of the flower bed and looked as though it was freestanding. Pop over again later and I'll add a photo.
    As for the time out hut, I think I'll ask hubby to build me a time out hut with A/C and an internet connection. It could become my blogging hut :).

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  9. How nice to get away and enjoy someone else's garden. I always find new plants I want to try, and wish I more space for ALL of them. I think I would enjoy living on a small acreage... nothing huge, just 3-5 acres. But DH doesn't share that country dream, so I guess we will stay put right here in town.

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  10. I think it would be fun to live on a lake. I'm glad you took a break from all the work around the yard. I'm sure you came back to your own garden inspired and refreshed.

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  11. Such beautiful flowers and yards! I just planted my first veggie garden this spring and today, I discovered bug holes in all my produce. :-( It's very discouraging. Maybe I'll go with flowers...are they any easier to grow/manage?

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  12. Kim, Thanks for the beautiful garden tour! I love seeing going on garden walks. It's nice to enjoy the beauty of another gardens and get inspiration and ideas to take back to my own garden. I've never had any luck with clematis. The rebar idea sounds good.

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  13. It looks like you enjoyed a fine garden tour! I love to take part in one in my neighbourhood...usually towards the end of June. Fun idea...of how to grow clematis.

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  14. Thanks for the gorgeous garden tour. Each one of the pictures show so much beauty....
    I love flowers, gardens and springtime....you're surrounded by so much beauty!!

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  15. That does look like an interesting way to plant clemetis! Your pictures are really lovely and makes the garden tours look really nice! Enjoy your day!

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  16. What beautiful, fun, and interesting gardens. Sounds like an enjoyable day. I like the idea of the clematis growing up the rebar.

    Enjoy your weekend,
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  17. I love garden tours and enjoyed looking at the places you visited. Great idea for the Clematis! Thanks for sharing, Kim!

    xo
    Becky

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  18. Garden tours are one of my favorite ways to pass time, and this one certainly looked like a beauty. I liked the country atmosphere, including the red and yellow chairs. Made me wish for time to sit on them and enjoy the peace and quiet. I appreciate the tip regarding the Clematis. I just planted one by the wooden post of my mailbox, but I think I may use this idea.

    Once again, thank you for the touch of nature that you added to my day.

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  19. I saw some clematis today climbing a lamp post and it was gorgeous. It seems like all the rain we've had in NC this Spring has made for beautiful flowers! I love driving out to the country...it's refreshing!

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  20. So nice to me meet you Kim. It was a pleasure taking this garden tour with you. There are so many different garden spaces, it's always fun to see what other people do with their space. I am your newest follower. I hope you come by for a visit and follow along. Have a wonderful week-end. Linda

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  21. Oh my, the hydraenga are beautiful. What a lovely yard. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Newest follower! Nice to meet you. Love the beautiful garden tours. So inspiring. Hope you will come visit me too.
    betty

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