Ah, Spring!

Yes, spring is just around the corner. A time of renewal, of hope springing eternal, blah, blah, blah. What it really means is that all the neighbours have been out doing gardening and clean up and I’ve been sitting in the house wondering why on earth Sharon (my landscaping friend) had to move away.

When we moved into our house (actually it’s a townhouse, so technically I don’t have to do any gardening, riiight?) the previous owner had been an amazing gardener. The back area was landscaped with lots of pretty plants that grew so well in the rain forest that we live in called North Vancouver. But after about 10 years it started to look a little, shall we say, overgrown. It was also wet and mildewy looking with spiders and bugs and we never went out there, ever. We mostly kept the drapes closed so that we didn’t have to look out.

Back Garden Before

We also inherited a bunch of potted shrubs and a hibiscus tree in a pot on our front deck. It didn’t take me long to apply the black thumb of gardening to them as well.

Then Sharon came to my rescue. And Sharon comes, not just herself but, with her mom (who is a Master Gardener) and her dad, (who is a carpenter). Perrrfect!

It’s a Miracle. The back becomes an oasis from the heat, with a new wooden deck placed over the old patio pavers that were all slimy and gross, a totally revamped back garden with water feature and lighting and a front deck that is right out of a magazine! I love it!

Back Garden After

Front Deck After

But then she moves. Sharon leaves. And the rains come. And the plants grow. Bigger. And then the heat comes and the plants die. And turn brown.

I miss Sharon. I hate spring.