It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 12 years since Mrs. HB I became friends in the old neighborhood. For the most part, when we moved in, both of our backyards had the basic new home landscaping. Nothing at all spectacular. Just a few well placed {and common} plants, and maybe a tree or two out front and a little grass.
Oh what a difference a few years make. While I spent my time in that neighborhood {8 years} building garden boxes galore and laying neon orange bark down every year, Mrs. HB. has taken the slow and steady approach over the years, tackling a new project each summer and fine tuning a particular area in her garden until it was just right. And it has certainly paid off.
Where her children’s old play set used to stand, is now a split rail garden area with raised beds for growing vegetables. She recently hung a set of old lanterns with battery operated lights on timers by her garden gate {and I am going to totally steal that idea for my garden next spring thank you very much}.
And even though gardening season is pretty much over for the year, she still had chard, celery, artichokes, onions, Brussels sprouts and a few other things growing when I came out to visit her last week.
And she’s gotten incredibly handy in the garden over the past few years as well. Adding chicken wire to garden trellises. Now that’s a clever idea. I’m going to try that next year too. Mrs. HB says it helps the little climbers like peas and beans off to a better start when the plants are young because they have more to grab on to.
She’s even making her own compost these days for Pete’s sake!
Pinky and friends are currently weeding her next garden project area. Perhaps a mini brine shrimp farm? Hmmm.
This water feature was one of her earlier projects. Isn’t it beautiful?
And the chicken coop. She’s had that for several years now.
But that doesn’t stop her from coming up with new ideas for the area.
Her current project… is “growing” worms for the hens.
It’s an old trick she learned from her mom.
Basically, you lay a piece of scrap wood down on the ground for a few weeks and ignore it. Then tada…. You pull the wood back off the ground and there you have it, an instant worm farm. Pretty genius, don’t you think?
That Mrs. HB. She always keeps things interesting. 🙂
So there you have it. Mrs. Hillbilly’s garden in November. It’s pretty fantastic if you ask me.
Mrs. HB if you are reading this, YOU’VE DONE WELL! And I am very proud of the gardener you’ve become. I think you should quit your day job and turn pro. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone, happy baking!
~Mavis
Wendy Clark says
I love it! She has done a great job. And for some reason I am drawn to the brussel sprout stalk. I have never grown brussel spouts, but might have to now.
Maxine says
What’s in the stock tank? Raspberries? Great idea to contain them. Love the chicken wire idea too! Nee specics on the battery candle/timer. That also looks fabulous!
Laura says
Beautiful! Can you share information on the lanterns? Love that idea too!
Melanie says
I live in so cal where drought resistant gardening has become the big thing, so it is so pretty to see Mrs Hillbilly’s green yard with the beautiful water feature. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Stacie says
I love her idea of “growing” worms. I’m going to have to try that; hopefully, I don’t “grow” a snake under there haha!!
Carolina Cooper says
So happy to see the chickens! Are these the same girls that you left her with when you moved east? Prince Charming (my grandson, age 20 months) has just gotten 3 chickens and he loves to bring a little chair next to the coop and just sit and watch them do their thing. No TV for him, he would rather bundle up, go outside and watch the chickens here in Maine.
Sherry in Sumner says
Mavis, can you ask Mrs. HB what brand her compost bins are? I miss my old wooden compost bin my husband made for me. It lasted many years but eventually rotted away. I also love the lantern idea and just might steal that one along with you for next year. Glad you got to get back to Washington and see your family & friends.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. Lifetime double composter. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/2XUTZIl
Mrs. Hillbilly says
Thank you all and I have Ms Mavis to credit . She inspired me years ago and if you have seen the very first garden that HB Boy and I built, about eight years ago, you could say we HAVE come a long way . It’s was about a three by three space in a natural area that we roped off . .
I bought the lanterns, at of course, my fav store , TJ Maxx . A fraction of the cost that I would have spent at my other fav store Watson’s Yard & Garden , in Puyallup , WA . they are metal and use two double A batteries. They also have a timer switch on bottom . I set at dusk and they stay on a couple of hours then off till next evening . Saves a lot of battery life!!! My yard is my peaceful go to place . I would love to retire and just play play play all day ….. true bliss!
Rita says
Beautiful! Your place looks so serene. Would love to know more about your water feature. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Christa H. says
HB- Your garden is beautiful!! Great job. I love the worm idea too.