The year 2013 was one of transition on so many levels. This page focuses on our yard which has become a sacred space for us. Interestingly, I spent more time in our yard during the Spring of 2013 than most of the time we have lived here, combined - since 1998. It was an amazing journey to research, learn about, and employ a variety of different approaches to more sustainable living. A fantastic by-product has been the filling of my soul along with the slowed drain of the money from our pockets (which certainly doesn't hurt during these still slow economic times). The adventure continues as I turn more and more of the yard into productive beds.
The exit of our children from home also brought the freedom to shift our space to other modes. There is no longer a requirement for the side yard to be a wide expanse of lawn for playing catch or running unimpeded. I am thrilled to be able to grow more and more of our own food as I use the stockpiles of bricks and other goodies I've amassed since moving here to build beds and focal points. We have also loved watching as the wildlife partakes of the more natural appeal of the garden. It feels like a cross between a large municipal park and one of my favorite pieces of sacred land in Pennsylvania... and, it brings me great joy. From the wonderful conversations with passersby that I've had as I've worked and created, I get the feeling that we're not the only people getting enjoyment out of our new garden.
The photo above is a moment that I caught at about 6:30 one morning. I was completely entranced by the scene. The grass gardens were full of dew (we'd had a glorious thunderstorm the night before, perfectly-timed to water-in the seedlings I'd put in earlier in the day), there was a misty fog hanging in the air. It nearly took my breath away—the beauty of it. I hope that this page and those linked to it, give you just a taste of our wonderful and growing sanctuary.
With the passing of my dad in March (2013), came a sort of working through the grief. I was called to create a spiral herb garden in honor of the dads (both of mine, and my husband Steve's dearest-man-on-earth dad). Of course, once that was created, I knew I needed one for the moms as well. And, those two sort of dominoed into a complete remodel of our yard that is bringing us continuous, daily joy.
The photo below shows comparative photos from the front of our yard between the Spring of 2010 and the removal of a dead pine tree at the front corner of our house and our gardens as of the Fall of 2017. As you can see, our use of trees, planting, and other features now serves as a natural fence that helps create our sanctuary.
The exit of our children from home also brought the freedom to shift our space to other modes. There is no longer a requirement for the side yard to be a wide expanse of lawn for playing catch or running unimpeded. I am thrilled to be able to grow more and more of our own food as I use the stockpiles of bricks and other goodies I've amassed since moving here to build beds and focal points. We have also loved watching as the wildlife partakes of the more natural appeal of the garden. It feels like a cross between a large municipal park and one of my favorite pieces of sacred land in Pennsylvania... and, it brings me great joy. From the wonderful conversations with passersby that I've had as I've worked and created, I get the feeling that we're not the only people getting enjoyment out of our new garden.
The photo above is a moment that I caught at about 6:30 one morning. I was completely entranced by the scene. The grass gardens were full of dew (we'd had a glorious thunderstorm the night before, perfectly-timed to water-in the seedlings I'd put in earlier in the day), there was a misty fog hanging in the air. It nearly took my breath away—the beauty of it. I hope that this page and those linked to it, give you just a taste of our wonderful and growing sanctuary.
With the passing of my dad in March (2013), came a sort of working through the grief. I was called to create a spiral herb garden in honor of the dads (both of mine, and my husband Steve's dearest-man-on-earth dad). Of course, once that was created, I knew I needed one for the moms as well. And, those two sort of dominoed into a complete remodel of our yard that is bringing us continuous, daily joy.
The photo below shows comparative photos from the front of our yard between the Spring of 2010 and the removal of a dead pine tree at the front corner of our house and our gardens as of the Fall of 2017. As you can see, our use of trees, planting, and other features now serves as a natural fence that helps create our sanctuary.
The next two photos below give one long view of the yard with some of the features labeled and pointed out as they grew in 2014 (first photo) and 2017 in the Fall (second photo). Added in 2015 were the sweetater bed (above photos, bottom right) ; the gourd circle; the pumpkin patch which has morphed into the Sculpture Garden (between the Dads' Spiral and Fox's Insectorium); and the bean trellis which became the Garlic Garden in 2017 (on the far side of the pear tree near the hugelkultur). Also added between 2014 and 2017 are: two apple trees along the top of the bank to extend the orchard; Sunny's garden (named for our dog buried beneath) with a featured rhododendron); the Medicine Wheel (placed atop Sunny's sister Cassie, who followed her across the Rainbow Bridge the following year) and a part of the aforementioned Sculpture Garden; an enlarged area for our Sacred Sweetgrass; a new area for vegetables (which grew an abundance of cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and Swiss chard during the 2017 season); an area for pumpkins and other wanderers next to the Garlic Garden; and the latest in 2017--The Shamanic Garden (still under construction) and its sister area for Meditation. Due to our interactions with the Village, our old Grass Gardens have been covered with arborist chips (read about those here) and we are in the process of adding plants beneficial to insects, birds, and butterflies. We have now just have two gardens dedicated to grasses: The Sacred Sweetgrass bed, and the Grasses Garden currently home to Little Bluestem, Switchgrass, and Little Zebra grasses. There is another large be in process that I hope to have abundant with wildflowers and grasses including Big Bluestem. So far, it's highlights are flathead oats and spiderwort. Everything, it seems, is a journey...
I hope you've enjoyed your visit to our natural wildlife habitat (yes, it's certified as such by the National Wildlife Federation). This is the ongoing transition of our little place called paradise. It's definitely a work in progress that we are thrilled to call home. From incorporating permaculture to celebrating our loved ones, our li'l slice of heaven is bringing us closer to Mother Earth and the choices we make as we walk more lightly on our journey. Thanks for stopping by for the virtual tour, be sure to let us know when you can visit for a real face-to-face look!
If you want to go on a little tour of our garden, follow this link.
Shared Comments
This is a splendidly conceived and managed lawn and garden, the kind that my friends from the award-winning art studio REsolve studio are working toward in Marietta. I will send this on to them as a model of what can be done. Their project involves the neighborhood school and an abandoned gas station land which they are planting to beautify and enrich the neighborhood, growing food for many people, shredding and recycling school trash paper to feed the worms that will enrich the soil. Also, Blythe, please take the time to visit their exhibit at Cynthia Davis's PVG Artisans Gallery at 13 W. 2nd in Chillicothe. It's open Wednesday through Saturday 1-5. You will be glad you did. The art show moves next to New York, closes here May 28. By the way, REsolve Studio was honored at the Ohio Statehouse last week for their good work. Keep the faith. By enriching your environment, you are fighting against the destruction of the nation's honey bee population.
Kathleen Burgess (Ohio)
I am so enthralled with the sacred spaces you are creating for you and for the myriad of other-species neighbors! The amount of love flowing through these spaces is inspiring to me on both a spiritual and an environmental level, thanks to the obvious interconnected web you've been weaving throughout. Hope to stop by someday to take an in-person tour! I'm already dreaming of ways to borrow from your ideas to improve my little piece of Earth. And I can imagine a number of outlets being interested in sharing your story!
Eric Morrow (Kentucky)
It is so nice seeing a natural area for plants and animals. No GMO's and other manmade chemicals killing everything.
I LOVE the natural grassy area. It seems lush and weed-free. I love to walk in grassy areas and feel it tickle my ankles. It is so much better and healthier than the chemically treated, superficial lawns where children and pets are recommended NOT TO PLAY ON.
Everything seems very environmentally healthy and happy in your beautiful "Paradise in Leesburg".
Thank you for loving and treating Mother Earth with respect.
Many Blessings, Reverend Christina Dare (Ohio)
Blythe it looks wonderful! It's taken a LONG time to do our version here in Virginia but the outcome has been amazing. We have had several new neighbors AND Habitat for Humanity say they chose our neighborhood because of our property. We have created an oasis in the ghetto and good people are moving into the area now because of us :) The city tax assessor told me 2 weeks ago our neighborhood was considered one of the 'up and coming' now! Twelve years ago it was ghetto with fight dogs and drug dealers. We've come a long way dahlin and you will too!
Anita (Roanoke VA)
You are an inspiration! I love that you have found so many ways to celebrate and incorporate the life of your garden into your own life.
What you've done is creative and responsible gardening, while also respectful.
I hope to follow your blog and continue to be inspired by all that you have accomplished!
Liz Tomten (Minnesota)
I think your yard is lovely, much more useful and productive than a grass lawn, I see more and more people shifting away from the old idea of a wasteful grass lawn in the future. I'd love to turn mine into a meadow. Great job, wonderful to have more space for wildlife too.
Debbie Powell (Ohio)
Oh this is so wonderful. I wish more people would make nature friendly landscapes. Even the bees can find refuge here. And bees need that. I would so love to have a bunny visit my yard. I want to only have native grasses in my yard so as to save water resources. All my other plantings are native or food crops. Good work kids.
Sherelyn (Texas)
Oh Blythe! That was a beautiful journey I just took through your paradise!! Can't wait to see it in person and watch it grow through the seasons!! You have inspired me to change a bit (for the better) by planning a raised garden bed in my own yard. I've been designing it and it probably will not be planted until next spring but the construction will begin this summer!! Thanks for sharing, and inspiring me and I'm sure many others!!
Jamie Knedler (Ohio)
Beautiful!! Thank you for all your effort to provide such a naturally beautiful, peaceful, aesthetically pleasing outdoor space for us to envy and enjoy!
Alisa Meier (Ohio)
Oh I absolutely love this! It is truly inviting and comforting, and ever so respectful of living things. What a gift. Thank you.
Sarah Buck (Ohio)
Your sacred space is both beautiful and useful. I am glad to see lovely sacred spaces happening in almost every city and state. I am also working on transforming our lawn space into assorted garden spaces. Thank you so much for sharing. I rescue violets too!
Sarajane Troxel (Virginia)
What a beautiful sanctuary your yard has become. I feel inspired I continue my work here in my new home in hopes it will one day be as much a place of sacred beauty, rest and bountiful substance as your lovely yard!
Thank you for sharing such a detailed view of your space.
Kate Love (Washington)
We all really enjoyed the tour and I love your gardens. It's always exciting and inspiring to see folks growing food and developing living spaces that are so full of life. And especially cool to see so close to home. Seeing what you're doing was rejuvenating to my own plans for our yardfarm.
C. Davis (Ohio)
I have been watching the progress of this project from the getgo and find it a fascinating transformation. It seems to be a great way to feed oneself in both body and soul. Also, visually, it is truly a work of art. Keep up the good momentum.
Carol (Washington)
What a wonderful job you all have done.
Much Respect,
Roxanne (Oregon)
Kathleen Burgess (Ohio)
I am so enthralled with the sacred spaces you are creating for you and for the myriad of other-species neighbors! The amount of love flowing through these spaces is inspiring to me on both a spiritual and an environmental level, thanks to the obvious interconnected web you've been weaving throughout. Hope to stop by someday to take an in-person tour! I'm already dreaming of ways to borrow from your ideas to improve my little piece of Earth. And I can imagine a number of outlets being interested in sharing your story!
Eric Morrow (Kentucky)
It is so nice seeing a natural area for plants and animals. No GMO's and other manmade chemicals killing everything.
I LOVE the natural grassy area. It seems lush and weed-free. I love to walk in grassy areas and feel it tickle my ankles. It is so much better and healthier than the chemically treated, superficial lawns where children and pets are recommended NOT TO PLAY ON.
Everything seems very environmentally healthy and happy in your beautiful "Paradise in Leesburg".
Thank you for loving and treating Mother Earth with respect.
Many Blessings, Reverend Christina Dare (Ohio)
Blythe it looks wonderful! It's taken a LONG time to do our version here in Virginia but the outcome has been amazing. We have had several new neighbors AND Habitat for Humanity say they chose our neighborhood because of our property. We have created an oasis in the ghetto and good people are moving into the area now because of us :) The city tax assessor told me 2 weeks ago our neighborhood was considered one of the 'up and coming' now! Twelve years ago it was ghetto with fight dogs and drug dealers. We've come a long way dahlin and you will too!
Anita (Roanoke VA)
You are an inspiration! I love that you have found so many ways to celebrate and incorporate the life of your garden into your own life.
What you've done is creative and responsible gardening, while also respectful.
I hope to follow your blog and continue to be inspired by all that you have accomplished!
Liz Tomten (Minnesota)
I think your yard is lovely, much more useful and productive than a grass lawn, I see more and more people shifting away from the old idea of a wasteful grass lawn in the future. I'd love to turn mine into a meadow. Great job, wonderful to have more space for wildlife too.
Debbie Powell (Ohio)
Oh this is so wonderful. I wish more people would make nature friendly landscapes. Even the bees can find refuge here. And bees need that. I would so love to have a bunny visit my yard. I want to only have native grasses in my yard so as to save water resources. All my other plantings are native or food crops. Good work kids.
Sherelyn (Texas)
Oh Blythe! That was a beautiful journey I just took through your paradise!! Can't wait to see it in person and watch it grow through the seasons!! You have inspired me to change a bit (for the better) by planning a raised garden bed in my own yard. I've been designing it and it probably will not be planted until next spring but the construction will begin this summer!! Thanks for sharing, and inspiring me and I'm sure many others!!
Jamie Knedler (Ohio)
Beautiful!! Thank you for all your effort to provide such a naturally beautiful, peaceful, aesthetically pleasing outdoor space for us to envy and enjoy!
Alisa Meier (Ohio)
Oh I absolutely love this! It is truly inviting and comforting, and ever so respectful of living things. What a gift. Thank you.
Sarah Buck (Ohio)
Your sacred space is both beautiful and useful. I am glad to see lovely sacred spaces happening in almost every city and state. I am also working on transforming our lawn space into assorted garden spaces. Thank you so much for sharing. I rescue violets too!
Sarajane Troxel (Virginia)
What a beautiful sanctuary your yard has become. I feel inspired I continue my work here in my new home in hopes it will one day be as much a place of sacred beauty, rest and bountiful substance as your lovely yard!
Thank you for sharing such a detailed view of your space.
Kate Love (Washington)
We all really enjoyed the tour and I love your gardens. It's always exciting and inspiring to see folks growing food and developing living spaces that are so full of life. And especially cool to see so close to home. Seeing what you're doing was rejuvenating to my own plans for our yardfarm.
C. Davis (Ohio)
I have been watching the progress of this project from the getgo and find it a fascinating transformation. It seems to be a great way to feed oneself in both body and soul. Also, visually, it is truly a work of art. Keep up the good momentum.
Carol (Washington)
What a wonderful job you all have done.
Much Respect,
Roxanne (Oregon)