Friday, July 5, 2013

Rediscovering Love for My Garden

A few years ago, well 8 years to be exact (because I am a detail person), I use to work for a friend of mine who has a landscaping business. One of her "jobs" was to maintain the display gardens of a local wholesale nursery. That was where I came in, I helped her two days a week April through October to maintain this garden. The size of the "garden" was probably 2-3 acres, so not small. The job paid good, it was only two days a week, and I learned so much about flowers and plants from her. So I am no stranger to a flower garden. That being said, mine have suffered greatly in the past 8 years.


You see, near the end of my last season with my friend, and it became my last season for this reason, I started experiencing back pain. Now I am no stranger to back pain, I have had that most of my adult life. This was, down the left side of my leg pain, I can hardly stand on this leg pain, I  have no feeling in my big toe pain (which makes wearing flip-flops a bit difficult). I went to see the doctor, and an MRI later I found out I had a couple of herniated disks in my low back, causing the numbness and pain in my leg. Well off to physical therapy I went, and it did get better...slowly. 

Five years ago I had another flare up. Granted not as bad as the first time, but still bothersome and annoying. Physical Therapy again, and again it got better. The problem was that the seed had been planted with that first experience Gardening=Pain. So my gardens suffered.


This year thanks to my love of photography and personal training, I am rediscovering my gardens. I am starting with this small area to give my full attention to, the other areas have more bark than plants, but it is a start. This is a little side garden that I have fallen in love with. I don't have a before picture of this area but I wish I did, it was sad. What I love about this area is that it is small, and easy to manage. There are three tiers, the middle one has a wheelbarrow base in the middle of it, it adds a fun element and visual interest.


One of my favorites is these poppies, they are called field poppies. The wooden thing that is being used as a fence/support is the wooden handles from the wheelbarrow.




I took a lot of the Iris' out of the top bed to make room for my repurposed and repainted with Annie Sloan chalk paint bench.



This is such a fun area to work and photograph in. These photos are where I like to play with Kim Klassen textures and Lightroom presets.




 I need one more stepping stone for this little path, and I am having a hard time finding something to match/work, but that is part of the thrill of the hunt.


I love to come out here at different times of day and in different lights to photograph.


Oh...and my answer to weeding this wonderful area is to just add another plant, less room for the weeds to grow :)

Joining Kim Klassen today for Friday Finds, as I have "refound" my love for my garden.

22 comments:

nancyjean said...

hi Sarah...i love gardening too! I love to go out each morning and see what has bloomed...pull a few/many weeds...and water. it has become my ritual...then when i am done, out comes my camera. so glad your back is stronger now...your garden is beautiful. Love that bench too! I have been meaning to try Anne Sloan paint...maybe this is the week!

Cathy H. said...

I love your gardens. That wheel barrow with wooden handles and your little blue bench are just the perfect accents! All the beautiful flower images that I've seen this spring (like those you've posted here) have made me want to work on a garden again. I have shade gardens, very little work needed, but they're full of hostas and azaleas, nothing that blooms all summer. You inspire me to work on a garden full of color for next summer. I understand the back pain, I had two back surgeries several years ago. I had a disk that exploded and had to be cleaned up. Like you, the thing that helps the most is the constant walking and exercise. So glad you're not in severe pain anymore and able to work in your gardens!

joanna uk said...

So admire your intelligent approach to your back trouble and your new garden plan: a little at a time. And the stepped look makes it interesting even before planting.
Raised beds might make it even easier, if you could organize a corner for that. Then you can sit and work at waist level.
Love your choice of plants, especially the [Shirley? ] poppies.

Simon said...

I'm glad you've found a way to manage the pain better. Pain seems to put a damper on everything. Your garden is looking lovely and those KK experiments are really nice. I'm ssssoooooo not a gardener. I only have the flowers that come up no matter how long you ignore them-daylilies, daisies, bl eye susan's, hosta, and stell'odoro.
I hope you'll find the perfect accent you need-probably when you least expect it.

Barbara said...

Lovely finds right in your own backyard, looks like a lovely place to play with your camera.

Stephanie said...

I have so enjoyed your beautiful flower photos. The poppies are gorgeous.

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful post. I was sorry to read that you have been in pain but also heartened that you have re-discovered your garden through photography, that is a blessing, as your photos are stunning.

Unknown said...

ooops, forgot to ask, where did you get your feedly button?

Becs said...

This is so lovely. I'm so glad you found a way to make gardening work - back pain is no fun and it's such a shame to lose something you love. Love the little poppies and that bench is gorgeous - I need something like that for my garden. Is the chalk paint weather proof? Love all your lightroom experiments, just beautiful and I have a similar weed solution. ;) Happy Friday!

Mary said...

So beautiful!!! Glad your back is finding some relief. So hard to function well w/ back pain.

Dotti said...

Good luck with your continuing therapy and with your garden venture! It looks beautiful.

{focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com}

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Oh so lovely Sarah a beautiful spot and lots of lovely flowers....

Helen said...

Such a beautiful garden. I love mine too - so full of colour - we're concentrating on wildflowers and roses this year. And I agree the more plants you add the less room for weeds!

The Artful Diva said...

Oh my gosh, I love your garden. It is so cherrful and pretty - just like you!

Deanna said...

Gardening does feed my soul, so I hope that your back stays painfree so you can enjoy your beautiful gardens all summer long.

Ahayes1225 said...

Another great post! I am pretty overwhelmed with too many gardens right now. I let it go a bit and that was a big mistake. But I love flowers... So sorry to hear about your back.

heyjudephotography said...

Great idea starting small. It is beautiful, I love the three tiers. Glad you're getting so much enjoyment our of caring for, and photographing, your lovely garden.

Karen Lakis said...

I'm glad you're able to get back into your gardening! Your flowers are looking beautiful!

overthefencephotos said...

Beautiful! I miss my garden but am anxious to start anew! Keep up the good work with your back.

Unknown said...

Thanks to you - and a few other bloggers - with your beautiful floral photography, I think I might have begun to enjoy gardening. It seems to be a good place for me to be sometimes. I hope your back is feeling better.

xoxo

Lisa said...

Just Beautiful.

Sylvia said...

Love what you did, Sarah, your garden looks so beautiful !
Glad your back is feeling better now ...
not easy to maintain a garden when you're having pain ...
Nice week,
Sylvia