I planted a small garden in a few whiskey barrels a couple of months ago and wanted to share an update. I planted strawberries in two of the barrels for the first time. I’m learning as I go, so I haven’t perfected any techniques yet, but we’ve already enjoyed a few strawberries and many more are on the way. I still need to read up on whether to pinch off early blooms, so I’ll do more research before offering any growing advice. For now, I’m just enjoying the process—container gardening is a lot of fun, even when you make mistakes.
Lily loves to stand by the pots and sniff the berries, so she seems pleased we’re growing them.
I also planted several barrels with organic lettuce, kale, and herbs. We’ve already eaten most of the lettuce, so I don’t have many photos of it, but it was rewarding to harvest our own salad greens for a few weeks. Next year I plan to plant much more lettuce and use larger containers since we eat a lot of salad. I also enjoy snipping fresh basil and other herbs while cooking—it makes the meals feel more homegrown.
The snap peas surprised me by growing very tall—I had to add a trellis in the pot to support them. I mostly planted things at random, so each new growth is a pleasant surprise. Gardening this way keeps it joyful and low-pressure.
It’s fun to be surprised by how things turn out.
Jack and Lily have been having a blast playing hide and seek among the bamboo. Jack thinks he’s perfectly camouflaged, and their outdoor play is one of the simple joys of having a yard.
My roses are blooming and look beautiful. I’m no roses expert, but I love caring for plants and watching flowers open. Watering, trimming spent blooms, and light weeding are relaxing chores, and the roses smell wonderful—perfect to bring inside.
These are climbing roses and they add lovely vertical interest to the yard.
We planted a row of privacy trees along the fence to start filling in the yard’s backdrop. We bought several trees at Costco and will continue adding more to achieve the lush landscape I envision. It’s a gradual process—one planting at a time—but each addition makes the space feel greener and more complete.
The plants we added last year are also doing well. The white-flowering shrub you see is a hydrangea, and it’s thriving.
This photo shows the patio last fall right after installation.
The backyard project is moving slowly. Our soil is very rocky, which makes planting more challenging, but taking it one step at a time is paying off. Every plant and improvement adds character to the space.
I’ll take new photos soon so you can see the progress now that we have more outdoor furniture and additional greenery in the ground.
Meanwhile, if you missed last year’s patio posts, they’re worth a look for inspiration.
I’m inspired by my friend Sandy’s backyard garden—it’s a beautiful space that has influenced my own plans. Her spring garden and other gardening posts showcase a range of ideas worth exploring.
PS. I also have several gardening books on my shelf that I plan to read now that I have my own garden space. It feels good to learn and apply new tips.
Happy Tuesday! Have you been out working in your backyard?