Our Garden - A Slideshow - Martie's Foyer

Our Garden - A Slideshow

1/29/2014

Creating and maintaining a garden demands a lot of time and energy, and also money, which doesn't grow on trees. When I created this garden of ours 10 years ago, I wanted it to become less demanding as it grows, for I knew my energy was not going to last forever.

At present I am neglecting our garden, yet it keeps on surprising me with unexpected splashes of colour and new growth.

To have the opportunity to spend most of my days in our garden, pruning and trimming trees and shrubs, sowing annuals and planting perennials, weeding and feeding the soil with home-made compost, will be my first wish whenever the fairy godmother knocks on my door.

This slideshow of our garden is a supplement to my article about conifers. Be my guest and read the article here - The-Conifers-In-Our-Garden

38 Comments

Shauna L Bowling link

1/29/2014 02:34:32 pm

Martie, your gardens are gorgeous! I recognize many of the varieties that also grow in my Central Florida climate. Lucky for you, they don't need a lot of care. Judging from the multitude, you'd have to spend a solid week just making your rounds!

Your property is beautiful. Love the tile roof. What is the tiki hut shown in the slideshow? I would love to have one of those in my yard for entertaining or just sitting quietly reading a book.

Thanx for sharing your awesome foliage. I'm off to read your article now!

Martie Coetser link

1/29/2014 04:32:01 pm

The problem, Shauna, when I take a walk in the garden I tend to see all the weed and the consequences of the drought we are having this summer. Not to talk about damages done by termites and other pests. I honestly wish I could spend more time in the garden. I am so glad you enjoyed the tour :)

Susan Zutautas link

1/29/2014 02:48:38 pm

Oh my what a beautiful garden you have.

Martie Coetser link

1/29/2014 04:35:38 pm

Thank you, Susan. Even though I don't give it everything it needs, it still delights us. I need to add more pictures of spots and shrubs I have missed....

Vicki

1/29/2014 03:08:13 pm

Hi Maria, your garden is beautiful! So,lovely to see it, and as you know I am a very keen gardener too. Thanks for this lovely glimpse of your special shrubs and trees!

Martie Coetser link

1/29/2014 04:40:13 pm

I know we are sharing this hobby, Vicki. I am filling dry spots now with rock futures and succulents. Trying harder to reduce the garden's demands :)

Vicki

1/30/2014 08:54:47 am

Hi again Martie - I did mean you of course, and not Maria! Slip of the finger there! Although I'm sure hers is lovely too. Fabulous, and I see you even have some lawn too. Is it kikuyu grass? That seems to be able to withstand the drought. Do you have someone to help you with the heavy work?

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 11:56:56 am

Hi Vicki, I knew it was only a slip of your finger. We have some patches of kikuyu grass, but mostly Berea (LM). They do better in shade. - Half of our lawn gets too much shade during summer, thanks to a beautiful Witstinkhout, a Peperboom and a Date Palm. Two American Ashes on the outside (pavement), becomes quite a nuisance in the swimming pool during autumn. I am going to add some pictures of the trees,,, soon... :)

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 12:08:05 pm

Oh, Vicki, yes, I have a gardener every Saturday morning - IF he doesn't have a more paying building job on his agenda, or family matters to attend to. Fortunately I no longer miss a gardener when he doesn't pitch. In fact, I score his pay for the day. The garden is well-established. Oh, I almost forgot, we have Garden Services once a week for the lawn and pavement - a double pavement, as we have a corner-erf! I don't have a garden on the pavement - they only need to cut the weed, as if it is a lawn. I really-really never had, and still don't have, the time and energy to extend the garden onto the pavement. Of course, they are not allowed in my flower beds, because if they don't destroy the irrigation system, they pull out my plants and leave the weed!

marcoujor link

1/30/2014 09:10:54 am

Dear Sista,

I got this notice so much later than from your other writing site, as you have probably figured out...

I am blown away by your beautiful gardens, reminding me so much of my childhood garden, where Mom always planted our Christmas trees...my favorite being the blue spruce.

I am so complimented by Vicki's slip of the keyboard. Yes, my current garden is exquisite but I will take absolutely no credit for it...except for its absence of weeds, my therapeutic and mind clarifying activity.

An inspirational and beautiful read, dear Martie.

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 12:30:11 pm

Mar, I would love to see your garden. Puleez, post some pictures :) If I had more time AND energy, I would have done so much more in mine, Water features galore.

I am referring to it as 'our' garden, but it is actually my garden, except the lawn, which is under the baton of my s.i.l.

My daughter has the habit of saying: "Mom, shouldn't we do this here and that there?"

"We?"

As if she has planted more than 5 seedlings during the past 10 years... Lol!

Bill

1/30/2014 09:19:37 am

Well, we haven't had much of a winter, so I'm in the mood for spring planting. Very lovely garden, Martie. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 12:45:33 pm

We are currently experiencing a devastating drought in our region, Bill. We have a borehole, but the underground water level had dropped, so we just can't manage to keep the soil moist all over. And, sadly, underground water lacks nitrogen and the pump uses a lot of electricity. So, currently I only keep the garden alive with the minimum water.

Good luck with your spring garden. Please share your pictures :)

kimmie

1/30/2014 11:27:39 am

kimmie

1/30/2014 11:48:32 am

Hi Martie,
Thank you for sharing this lovely space. I bet it gives you such peace and tranquility. I am looking forward to spring and planting many flowers too. Love and hugs.
Kimmie

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 12:52:38 pm

Kimmie, I think I have told you the other day that when I walk through the garden with the intention to smell the roses, I tend to see only the weed and the work to be done, like controlling termites, slugs, snails, aphids.... !!!! I have to enjoy it from a distance - something I have learned how to do.

femmeflashpoint link

1/30/2014 11:32:09 am

Martie,

Girlfriend, where do I start!

The slide show is fantastic! Thank you!

Your garden, home, walkways, the other buildings, the pool, the wall ... all of it is sooooo beautiful!!

I especially loved the brick brick building with the thatched roof! That's so cool! But, the whole property looks awesome enough to be featured in an edition of Better Homes and Gardens or better yet, Houzz.com!

Thank you for sharing!

femme

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 12:58:25 pm

Femme, thank you for your most inspiring compliments. You have really given me a burning desire to spend more time in the garden. But this also means spending more time and money in nurseries!

Mike

1/30/2014 12:46:22 pm

It looks like you have built yourself a sanctuary where from time to time you can find a moments peace in the world. Beautiful.

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 01:02:49 pm

Thank you, Mike. Spending Saturday mornings in the garden is quite therapeutic. Only 3 years ago I could weed, trim, sow and plant from 6am to 1am. Nowadays I can hardly manage 2 hours. Geezzz, and I am telling you this!

Randi link

1/30/2014 12:58:07 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful garden with us. This reminds me so much of Israel! You have done an amazing job!

Martie Coetser link

1/30/2014 01:13:04 pm

Hi, Randi! I would have loved to live in a semi-tropical region, where the most beautiful plants flourish in humidity alone. Bougainvillea, Magnolia, Strelitzia, etc., all plants that are not happy in our dry climate. I take my hat of for the Israelis, who had turned the most neglected areas into paradises.

Alexandra link

1/30/2014 01:13:16 pm

Martie, your garden is gorgeous and so inviting. It's particularly nice to see when there is so much snow here - a lovely reminder that gentler temperatures are on the way. I'm glad to hear that you spend time in your sanctuary. It's all just so beautiful!

Martie Coetser link

1/31/2014 12:38:16 pm

Alexandra, during winter everything hibernates, and frost causes a lot of damage, but fortunately only for 2-3 months. I have no idea how your plants survive your cold winters and snow?

Gail Sobotkin

1/30/2014 10:52:19 pm

Dear Martie,
Oh what a lovely garden it is. I feel peaceful just looking at these photos of it. Thanks for posting this.
Hugs & Love,
Gail

Martie Coetser link

1/31/2014 12:44:26 pm

Hi, Gail, I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures. Thanks to all the lovely comments I feel inspired to create some rock features in the dry spots. But Murphy's law always rule my life: 'Before you can do something you have to do something else.'

Nellieanna link

2/3/2014 01:35:19 am

Oh, Martie! What a splendid slideshow of your splendid garden! I almost want to pluralize it into 'gardens', it is so extensive and varied! I can't even imagine being able to create all that loveliness with plants.
I don't want to hear you say anything about neglecting it or not giving it enough attention. Your handiwork shows and part of it is that your garden flourishes even when you don't tend to it constantly. I can imagine that you'd notice weeds when you stroll through it, but limit that to specific weed-observation treks, and enjoy it most of the time!
I can also understand the concern with drought, since that is a big issue here, too, and there is nothing to be done about it. But I notice you have many succulents which are adapted to dry climates. It would be difficult to water it all with garden hoses, for sure. I hope you get enough rain to sustain it.
Anyway, I'm awed at the beauty of what you've created! Thank you for inviting me to see it. You're right! I am enjoying it thoroughly!
Hugs and love - Nellieanna

Martie Coetser link

2/4/2014 07:27:43 pm

My dear Nellieanna, I am so thriller because you enjoyed this slideshow. I plan to add some more pictures in time. We just had 4 days of wonderful rain. Too much here and there in the region, causing floods and a lot of damage. Somehow bad and good are always buddies, trying to keep us humans in awe of Nature and powers beyond our comprehension or control....

Martie Coetser link

2/4/2014 07:35:35 pm

... thrilled..... oh, this tablet, making its own words, and these sites, not allowing editing, and so many hick-ups online, keep my desperate need for a garden alive....

Ruby link

2/5/2014 03:26:55 pm

Oh Martie, your pictures are beautiful! I am longing for summer. I have 2-3 inches of fresh snow. Thank's for sharing your garden, it brightened my day....Hugs..

Martie link

4/20/2014 02:59:55 pm

Oh, my goodness, Ruby, I never got the notification of your comment! WTH, nothing in this universe works 100%. Damn Feedburner!

Keeping in mind that you are enjoying Spring now, while we have Autumn, I know you are now spending time in your garden.

In spirit I am with you :)

Colin link

4/20/2014 10:18:56 am

Good morning my magnificent Martie from Colin and the cats on this Easter Sunday morning at 11:17am and sending sincere good thoughts and wishes your way for your family's health and happiness and for the enduring love of you and Mister B.

Martie link

4/20/2014 03:06:30 pm

Hi, my dear Colin, GOOD to see you. I hope you have enjoyed a stroll through my garden. Sunday 10:00pm down here, and I am happy to be happy and to know that you are happy too. Or are you? Maybe I am just a little bit worried about you and that is why I sense sadness between the lines of your comment. Oh, you know me, sometimes I am a drama queen :)

Vicki

4/20/2014 11:58:51 am

Martie - just beautiful! I am just beyond delighted still being back in my garden again, and there is so much to see send do! Weeds grow so quickly! Just about to plant some granadilla seeds, and also a mini banana, recommended for a big pot! So exciting! It would be much easier in SA. Thanks for the lovely update!

Martie link

4/20/2014 03:17:33 pm

Oh, Vicki, them weeds them weeds! Let's say no more. I can just imagine your happiness, being back home again, spending time in your garden. In my region - the dry North West - it would be difficult to grow granadillas and bananas, although some species of Strelitzia will grow in sheltered corners. In Kwazulu Natal (your home-valley) and Northern Transvaal (Limpopo), and even 2-3 hours away from me, in Rustenburg and Pretoria regions, they will flourish. I am looking forward to see some pictures of your garden :)

Ruby Fuller link

4/20/2014 03:37:26 pm

Oh Martie please don't worry about not replying. I didn't know you had not. We are all so pulled in so many places, it's a wonder we still have a mind. I am enjoying spring finally. This has been a terrible winter, so very much snow and ice. You are probably ready for the fall. Have a good one. Happiness and joy my friend..Hugs...

Martie link

4/20/2014 04:33:20 pm

Love you lots, Ruby :)

point link

1/29/2018 01:35:54 pm

It was a very good post indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in my lunch time. Will surely come and visit this blog more often. Thanks for sharing.

Our Garden - A Slideshow

Leave a Reply.

Blogger
Martie Coetser

Virtual Busker Guild

Archives

Our Garden - A Slideshow

Leave a Reply.

​BloggerMartie Coetser

Virtual Busker Guild

Archives

Blogger
Martie Coetser