June 15, 2009

Progress, of sorts

Landscaping, the continuing saga. 
This is what our place looked like in all its cement block, orange bark, baked lawn hideousness.
Summer, 2007 (just after we purchased the property)


Last year after we moved dirt and rock around with a tractor for five days, and then proceeded to plant one hundred plants...yep they're there...look closely.
Late May, 2008
This year after the native desert grass seed took over...sigh
Mid June, 2009
I'd actually like it to look more like this drought tolerant yard from LA.  Different growing zone, I know...LA definitely isn't the high desert. (And I'll just bet this gal doesn't have deer frolicking in her suburban yard on a daily basis!) But I do love all the color and texture.  Maybe something similar...and deer resistant.

photo-Al Seib, LAT

But, really, this is why we live here...

Peace & quiet

17 comments:

A Cuban In London said...

That last photo does look inviting, but instead of deer I wonder what kind of creatures she gets? Our front garden is nothing like yours or that lady's, in size, I mean, much, much smaller but it has some wild bush in it and local cats were using it as their private restroom :-)! Thanks for the photos and commentary.

Greetings from London.

Tess Kincaid said...

Your place has come a long way! I love the ranch feel to it. Good luck on finding the draught and deer resistant plants.

Charmaine said...

I love the cozy rustic feel to your place.

It communicates "vacation". Pics of the interior puleez. hee hee

Victoria said...

After having past years with long drought periods were grass turns to a brown, sharp, crunchy mess and wild bunnies eating my flowers all thru the day and night, you have my sympathy with the deer and the dry desert. The last dream picture is lovely indeed. Good luck!
PS. I'm trying to play catch up with blog posts... All your travel pics are lovely!

Golden West said...

Your trees and shrubs have really grown quickly - looks very good!

Cindy said...

Your "natural" landscape looks awesome.

High Desert Diva said...

Charmaine,

Have I mentioned how weird it is to see your name in my comment section?

Before & after interior pics in left side bar....

The Other Charmaine

perpetualpillows.com said...

Charmaine, you ARE making progress! You haven't yet seen my yard and if you had, you would feel so good about what you've done so far!

Helen said...

Your dream home is lovely AND looks a lot like the dream cottage I dream about having one day ........... Good job, both of you!

Carlseng Designs said...

A lot of those plants in the LA garden won't make it up here, but we can do something very similar, just let me get my hands on your yard and it'll be drought tolerant (mostly)and deer resistant and good looking!

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

What a transformation! To me, the hardest part about changing the landscape is giving it time to fill in. Yours really came a long way in tow years...looks great!

Catherine said...

I love the look of your place. I have looked at drought tolerant landscaping and decided to go with local native species. We are considered high desert in Arizona but our elevation is only 3500 feet. We are just getting to painting the outside of the house. I`ll do my before and after pics when the job is done. It`s awful right now.

Unknown said...

I do admire all the vast land that you have...we'll have to make do with a little garden.

XUE said...

That sure is a lot of gardening to do in all that wonderful space! Always love looking at pics of your home!

Anonymous said...

It does look peaceful... ♥

Amanda at 32˙North said...

I'm totally into that tree in your front yard! And the clouds in the 2nd to last picture look made-to-order! The lady in LA certainly has a lush looking yard for its drought-tolerance.

I've been a bad blogger lately. Actually been spending some time in my own garden away from the computer.

I've totally enjoyed your Italy pictures!

rozetta said...

I just found your blog. I live in the high desert of Cal, about 65 miles North of LA. Instead of deer, I have the problem of the Jack Rabbits.

We live on acreage and finally realized that if we wanted a yard, we would have to create a fenced off area. That's what we did and it's doing great, with drought tollerant plants. We live on a hill and didn't want to block the view, so we put up inexpensive Iron railing (Lowes) and backed it with 24" high chicken wire. I, also, was determined to have a rose garden and we accomplished that by building a walled courtyard. The roses are doing great. I have the garden of my dreams.

~elaine~