I figured it was about time I posted a garden update and I’m so glad because seeing these updated pictures really helped me realize how much our plants have grown. You know how sometimes it’s hard to notice the difference when you just see the small change that happens slowly over time? Enter the power of technology and photos.

The picture on the left is from my DIY concrete raised beds post on April 27, so just about a month ago. Can I just say, wow; those little tomato plants are taking off! Our strawberries are growing nicely too, those are the plants under the tulle to keep them safe from the birds. We actually were able to pick our first strawberries yesterday and they were amazing. The little berries were really small, but so sweet and juicy. You can also see our corn stalks in the upper left of the right-hand picture. It’s kind of hard to tell but they are doing so well! 

Here is a BEFORE before picture, back from when we first bought our house from a similar angle, just a slightly further back. The changes that we’ve made over the past three years that you can see in this picture are: dismantled the random planters, took out a dying tree, moved a shed, ripped out the bark and spread grass seed, extended the orchard area and installed new and taller fencing, took out the non-fruit bearing trees in the orchard, repainted the side of the house, placed river rock, laid a new path with decomposed granite, created a fire pit area, and planted a garden.

I will have to do a full-on yard reveal post soon because the before and afters are really amazing for me to see. The kids have been loving running around and playing the yard, and I love having a space that I actually enjoy spending time in out there. Earlier this week I was sitting in the shade of our tree, watching my three older ones splash around in their little pool  while baby sister crawled around on the grass (that I had just finished mowing) and I had the thought, “this is the life”.

It was pretty awesome-sauce.

Have you been working on any projects outside lately?