Today’s photos are from Darlene Thorson. She says, “Greetings from the Black Hills! We live on one of the busiest streets and in an older area (not historical) in Rapid City, South Dakota. It’s a mostly unkempt neighborhood. We hope to encourage others to know that it doesn’t matter where you live, it’s what you put into it, and even possible on a limited budget.
“We have converted most of our lawn area to perennials, grasses, and a few more trees. Our zinnias (started from seed) are our favorite annual, with some reaching six feet tall by the end of the growing season. We added a vegetable garden area (now with raised beds) to the right of the zinnias.
“Our community is very proactive in reclaiming and recycling. We have wonderful compost available at our landfill for unbelievably low prices. We added rain barrels to our home and greenhouse in late summer. Our pergola has a hidden clothesline with four lines, each sixteen feet long (shown in the winter photo). We have our own red wiggler worm bin for composting kitchen scraps and also added a bin for larger fishing worms. We are really looking forward to spring and summer after going through winter storm Atlas!”
Those veggies, Darlene–so wonderful! And those zinnias are ridiculously happy. Thanks so much for sharing your garden with us! ***That makes 49 states we’ve featured!! Tomorrow we’ll visit our 50th state–Mississippi!
—-Winter is the perfect time to take a photographic stroll through the photos you took in your garden this year……and then send some in to me at [email protected]!
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Comments
Darlene, what a beautiful garden, well done for creating such an amazing area and hopefully providing inspiration to your neighbours to follow your lead. Yours is a true garden in every sense, I love it!
what a great wakeup. i love this urban farmstead and what a great example for the entire community. this entire property puts a BIG smile on my face
LOVE the efforts you - and your community- put forth on the "green" efforts! Great use of space. Your raised garden is wonderful... the zinnias are glorious; your bounty, gorgeous!
Fantastic Festuca!
What fun! I'll bet people stop along the road to take a closer look,,, especially if you are one of the few who garden! You must be so pleased!,,,, and your garden ( veggie ) looks like it is VERY productive!! Hopefully others will follow suit!
Love the butterfly,, zinnias are great!,,, and love what you did with the front lawn are,,, all of it is so fun!, and beautiful and ecological!!! Great job!!
South Dakota Sun! Oh My! Love those zinnias! When I grow them here in Washington state they seem to just rot sometimes. But I love them so. What a beautiful garden! I am so excited for you and what you are doing, being a forerunner to gardening! And to recycle stuff that is so good. Wish I lived closer to see more! Your crop of produce is yummy looking as well, Thanks so much for sharing with all of us! And I hope you don't get any more bad weather!
Well, Darlene, your pictures reveal you to be a force of nature in human form...making such a positive impression on your land...creating beauty and bounty...love your can-do spirit and enthusiasm for all things gardening. Your zinnias are gorgeous and look like a line of cheerleaders celebrating your successes!
Great marriage of beauty and practicality. You are are leader!
What a tidy vegetable garden, and great produce! I love it all, the zennias are so lush. And that's one happy bunny. Thank you, Darlene, you're setting a fine example for your community.
I LOVE those words "converted our lawn" ... and it is beautiful. Those zinnias are the perfect side order to your vegetable garden. I am lusting after those FRESH veggies and that greenhouse! You are an inspiration. Spring will be very welcome this year.
Darlene, your statement "it doesn't matter where you live, it's what you put into it" is one that we all can learn from. Your garden is wonderful! It feeds the spirit as well as the body, and does so beautifully! Thank you!
Didn't know zinnas could get to tall! Hope others in your community follow your example - very inspirational!
Your actions definitely speak louder than words, Darlene. Very cool!
Your entire garden SHOUTS loving care. I, too, am a zinnia lover, from the short to the tall ones and yours are splendid. I am really at war with bunnies but have to admit they are so cute. Your produce is picture perfect and made me so hungry for a fresh tomato sandwich. You are a true gardener.
Love the garden and all the wonderful produce. Just shows what you can create in a small place. Truly living off the land.
What a great and productive veg garden! Puts me to shame, the state mine's in. I love the idea of hidden clothes lines, and the greenhouse is clearly needed and put to great use. Looks like you're headed towards 4 Season gardening! Good luck with the rest of winter...
It looks as though you have put lots and lots of time and effort in to producing this wonderful space. Have you been working on it for a long time now? How much land do you have there. Looks as though you have used just about every inch very effectively. It must be wonderful to have such a nice greenhouse and living where you do getting a head start on seedlings must prove useful.
I hope your neighbors realize what can be done with some effort and imagination and your area turns into a garden of eden.
Darlene, that is one impressive garden. You must have made some great soil and care for your garden diligently. Kudos to you. Your harvest looks delish! I am curious as to what tomatoes you grow? How I long for a garden tomato in January. Love those zinnias!
Darlene, your smile in that top right photo, says it all! Bounty, beauty and cheer all in one. Thanks for brightening our winter day =).
Darlene ~ I love the butterfly photo, looks like such a treat for both of you. I enjoyed the peek into your greenhouse, looks very productive. What a wonderful assortment of veggies too. Great job! Thank you.
Wonderful garden, Darlene! Definitely an inspiration.
Fabulous greenhouse! Brilliant garden.
Every shot in this post makes me SMILE, even the wascally wabbit! This is the work of a dedicated gardener who obviously loves making the most of what's available. Great job, Darlene! And thanks for including the shot of yourself, calm and happy in your green world!
Thanks for all of the very encouraging comments. Gardening is certainly a labor of love! Looks like our new garden name should be "urban farmstead" via tntreeman. Visitors have said it looks like a little farm, no chickens in the city though! In response to wittyone's questions: We bought our home in late 2006 and updated windows, siding and roof since then. The yard was a blank slate with green grass and several roses(kept a few favorites). We started working on our yard in 2007 and hopefully keep progressing. We have only .16 acres or the equivalent to 7,000 square feet in our entire lot. In response to cwheat000 our tomatoes are Early Girl, Beefsteak, Beef Maestro, Sun Gold (cherry tomato) and
Principe Borghese (Italian plum). greengenes...Paul said the zinnia is actually a desert plant, so that's why they love the South Dakota sunshine! Thanks again and happy gardening! Darlene
I love your garden, the beautiful flowers and vegetables are truly a delight.
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