Creating Moods in a Regular Backyard

Imagination, creative reuse, and spirited fun turned an empty backyard into a sensory voyage. In their San Antonio garden, Jeffrey Harris and Kevin George outlined circular paths that amble from vibrant poolside color to tranquil conversation nooks.
Find resources, watch episodes, and read CTG's blog:
www.centraltexasgardener.org/
Follow CTG:
/ centraltexasgardener
/ ctglinda
We encourage conversation and dialog around all topics but do not tolerate hate speech. Any comments that violate this will be deleted and users may be banned. More information on our comment guidelines can be found here: bit.ly/2iHas1E

[@TrexChick]

gardeners are so chill - the face, the voice, the posture... so relaxing to watch

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@luisreviews6412]

Garden looks like it is 10 degrees cooler. Great job!

[@jeffreysharris]

On certain days, it definitely feels it. Thanks 😊

[@lynnpurse]

What a wonderful garden - full of surprises, nooks and crannies and creative personal touches ❤

[@dianamcfarland1997]

YOUR GARDEN IS SOOO INVITING!...IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL!...SOOO PEACEFUL AND RELAXING!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!

[@TaylorBrosTV]

This feels so accessible. Love what he did with the space

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@nickyferguson9063]

What an oasis! Really lovely, lots of take away ideas even for my much smaller more modest budget and garden, thank you!

[@santahampton]

Aww, well done Jeffrey! Great to get inspired by a Fello San Antonian👏👏👏

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@GardenscapesbyKae]

Ooohhhh I love it!!!! Such a beautiful garden! Can’t wait until my Boerne garden fills in like this, in due time love it!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you and best wishes 😊

[@barbaracole4314]

Really nice , you're very creative... I too like to destress and unwind in a garden .

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@jomarielopez2229]

Beautiful garden!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@nicoeeek.7181]

Jeffrey this is amazing! Such a brilliant transformation, wow.

[@mariam6932]

Wow😍love your beautiful garden, I can even sense your tranquility and peace in your voice talking about it.Thanks for sharing it, it is gorgeous 💕🌷

[@ajjimenez9140]

I wish I was as creative as he is. Great job man!

[@jeffreysharris]

Awe, thanks. I bet you're pretty creative 😊

[@ajjimenez9140]

@@jeffreysharris well my canvas so far is a huge blank space all the way around the house out here in the country...I don't know where to begin. I'm in Castroville and have clay type soil. Any tips for another fellow social worker?🤷🏽‍♂️

[@jeffreysharris]

@@ajjimenez9140 add lots of compost and organic matter to your soil.

[@catherinehenry6762]

Just marvelous, and jeffrey has the most soft and gentle voice!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you so much 😊

[@debbieromero5957]

They created such a beautiful oasis!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Marvelous, the best landscape design I've seen!

[@jeancossigny6411]

Superb garden,beautifully planted.

[@lorirober2536]

Wow! Amazing makeover for this yard. He created beautiful, outdoor living space. ❤

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@kellykiley]

Compliments from an Arizona high desert gardener you've done an exceptional job and created a beautiful whimsical garden great job Jeffery. I love the thrift stores you never know what treasures await that you can incorporate into a garden space.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you and thrift stores are awesome 😊

[@graceaxisa4213]

What a transformation! The garden seems to have evolved so organically. I love it 💖

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@cookiemonster3979]

I live in San Antonio also and im.just I awe how you created this wonderful sanctuary in your back yard !! You are talented and have a great eye for gardening. I applaud you!!!! I have a large back yard with not so great grass. Appreciate the video and explaining your thoughts into it. Thank you 😊

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it 😊

[@cpdemers01]

What a transformation and indeed inspiration. Thank you for sharing to help excite the rest of us, and enjoy your gardens.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you and you're welcome 😊

[@bluekatgal7300]

How creative and lovely. Thank you for sharing your ideas

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks and you're welcome 😊

[@Kap3lka]

THIS is what I want to achieve with my garden! This year the tiles will be ripped out and bring some shade in! Also a small vegetable garden. One has to eat where they live🌱🦋😊

[@connieanderson2281]

Love the different rooms ☺️

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@debrabray8855]

What a beautiful space!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@debbierodriguez7368]

I just love your garden beautiful plants and trees.. to me it looks like paradise great job guy's!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you so much 😊

[@cathylocklin3215]

Absolutely beautiful, very creative.❤

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@clearwaterbeachhomesearchm5957]

What a beautiful garden they have a great eye

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@j.c.4120]

Well done. Your work has been a labor of love. It shows.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you very much 😊

[@kristamead3758]

You have really inspired me!! Thank you!! Although I live in the Pacific NW, some of your ideas, like outdoor rooms, will really work well. Happy relaxing!
Hugs,
Krista

[@jeffreysharris]

I absolutely love the PNW. I'm jealous of all the garden plants you can grow. Glad you were able to get some ideas. Good luck with your adventures 😊

[@delightfuldesignsbydenise9710]

OMG..he truly has built up a Sanctuary!!🦋 San Antonio is no joke w/that TX heat!!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you and you've got that right. Our summers seem to get longer and hotter each year. Trees help! 😊

[@vikkichafouleas1265]

Absolutely speaks to the spirit in us

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@marylynnhaynes7558]

The covered patio is genius!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@undertheumbels]

What an incredible garden, I have a similar sized backyard and this is very inspirational

[@jeffreysharris]

That warms my heart. Happy adventures 😊

[@angelicaalexander3041]

I love what you have done. I am doing something similar to my backyard. Your video is inspirational.

[@richarddeleon8601]

Beautiful! I love my backyard but your yard is fantastic.

[@jeffreysharris]

You gotta love where you live. Thank you for the compliment 😊

[@MissPiggyLilly]

I want that garden! - NW San Antonio TX!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks. We're right on the edge of Castle Hills 😊

[@MissPiggyLilly]

@@jeffreysharris definitely needs to be on a home tour 👌🏽👌🏽

[@fishinghole333]

Absolutely lovely.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@ChristineDuval-cy5ck]

Very, Very beautiful

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@makeitjoyful]

Gorgeous garden! Thank you for sharing and inspiring.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks and you're welcome 😊

[@iamyouritaliangrandma]

You did a fantastic job ❤. So relaxing and peaceful ✌️

[@rubybishop2988]

Lovely garden !

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@delphinenyirahabimanam.d.8510]

❤Heavenly!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@jaysea4916]

I absolutely loved this! Peace-

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@jackiemarks3680]

So lovely!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@fsgepriest]

Love this yard!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@camikanscrap]

So beautiful.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@amandapoole3857]

beautiful all around

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@AlineSantos-lo9ec]

So peaceful

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@kanases]

Beautiful oasis!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@pingli9778]

so well designed in South Texas!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@pingli9778]

@@jeffreysharris great admiral! Wonder if I could pay a visit when I visit SA and its' convinient for you. I live in South Texas too.

[@deborahcambria3005]

Absolutely gorgeous ❤❤❤❤❤

[@user-cn5gs9ge1f]

Amazing 😊😊😊😊😊Very beautiful!!!!!!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@TexasGovernor]

dude, excellent job! so fun to see this.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@mikeburger9463]

Great job love the look

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@Gtumrths]

Very beautiful!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@Crew4Life]

Beautiful!!!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@nickyannajones]

this is lovely!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@KM-nq7ez]

Really lovely

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@cynthiacoyne6008]

🥰

[@lowesonia8551]

Jeffrey Kevin. Charming In a certain Space. The rooms created answer anyone's need for living a live, life.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@cactusfeliz7003]

Muy bien decorado saludos 🇺🇾🌹

[@jeffreysharris]

Muchas Gracias 😊

[@sheilacirioni4676]

Beautiful job you did.Alot of work..great rewards!! Your own Oasis!!👍🦜🌺🌟

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@fidelinachireno2716]

Very nice, congrats.

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@michellechapman6839]

Awesome 👌

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@charityaes]

Hi! Such a beautiful, tranquil space! I live in South Dallas County on 2 acres that we bought last year. I have been explaining to my husband what my vision is for the yard around our house and this video is perfect to show him so that he gets a better idea of my “vision”. 😅Did you design the initial layout yourself or did you ever hire a landscape designer to help lay everything out and help come up with a vision? I think that’s the most challenging part about getting started, is taking a blank piece of ground and envisioning what can be done with it and actually laying it out and seeing it as a whole redesigned space. Love the rooms and the pathways!

[@CentralTexasGardener]

He designed it all! I meant to include his casual drawing but it would be a little hard to see. Basically, just drew out a design and started playing around!

[@CentralTexasGardener]

And you might just want to start with a small area around the house, rather than taking on the whole 2 acres at one time (that's a LOT!). Think about what you'd like to see just around your house, out the windows, out the back door, for example. Watch the light, too, and where you'd want to spend morning or evening and where your plants would, too. You might want look at our Jennie Ostertag video that's on this playlist: she started from scratch, too, and had some great ideas about design.

[@jeffreysharris]

I've designed it myself (after reading lots of great design books) and visiting numerous Botanical Gardens across all country. I particularly like ones that have smaller demonstration Gardens that show more of what a typical backyard can look like. Both the Dallas Arboretum and the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens show some great idea. There's also the Texas Discovery Gardens near downtown Dallas 😊. I agree with Linda to start small but it's great to have a larger overall vision of what you want. My overall design changed somewhat throughout the years as I suspect yours will too. Happy adventures 😊

[@dovinhgarden05]

Khuôn viên khu vườn đẹp quá❤❤❤

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you 😊

[@NoWorriesall]

So nice❤❤❤

[@jeffreysharris]

Thanks 😊

[@irenehenderson8516]

Luv it all

[@NatureHerbsandTea.]

Subscribed! New friend from Virginia ❤❤❤

[@CentralTexasGardener]

Great to have Virginia on board with us. On our website, we have lots of info, plants, and philosophy that work for you all as in Texas. Hey, send pictures to me at [e-mail]. We love seeing everyone's gardens.

[@jeffreysharris]

Awesome! My partner and I LOVE Virginia. We saw so many wonderful places. The gardens there are gorgeous!! 😊

[@ANGIEB52]

💖

[@user-jo9bo8zm5u]

hello. i live in san antonio and started my backyard oasis as well. I was wondering how your plants thrive during winter time? Do your plants come back or you replant ? I have some of the plants you have but they never survive during winter.

[@CentralTexasGardener]

I'll ask, but many of his plants survive just fine. Of course, we've had some really brutal winters (and last summer was no picnic, either). Most native plants are fine. Tropical plants can be a problem when we get these harsh winters. AND, it does depend somewhat on microclimates--even from one side of the street to the other! I'll check and see which ones he loses, though.

[@jeffreysharris]

We lost quite a dew plants during winter Storm Uri February 2021. Those 3 straight nights of 9 degrees took a toll but many things came back that I was certain it didn't make it (like the Mexican Olives, the Loquats, and certain Agave's). I lost a couple of normally adapted palms (but not to those temps) but my 2 native Sabal and dwarf sabal palms and 2 adapted Windmill Palms breezed right through!

[@erikaerika7788]

LOOKS BEAUTIFUL BUT I don't see any birds ,,,😮😮😮😮strange ,,,when I lived in Austin had a ton of interesting birds coming to my yard ❤❤❤❤ some I don't see in FL 😢

[@jeffreysharris]

Unfortunately, we have three outdoor cats along with neighbors cats who frequent the yard. I once rescued a baby blue Jay from the clutches of our cat Emma. I've also rescued numerous lizards and toads. Nature can be cruel sometimes. This was filmed in the mid-afternoon, so not sure if that played a role as well. Early mornings are full of bird sounds.

[@angel.heart007]

It’s beautiful… how do you deal with the squirrels? They dig up my potted plants all the time and I get so frustrated lol

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you. I don't have much problem with squirrels digging in my potted plants but I swear that every nut they plant, it sprouts. Constantly battling baby trees. Maybe I should start propagating them. I would have a tree farm! Lol

[@angel.heart007]

@@jeffreysharris oh your lucky! These squirrels chewed up my arbor, my wired arbor lights and mess up all my potted plants. I wish the seeds would grow, I wouldn’t be so mad at them lol and yes you should start a tree farm😂

[@vimeopictures5170]

Does he do online garden design consultation?

[@CentralTexasGardener]

I don't know, I'll ask!!!

[@kellykiley]

@@CentralTexasGardener is this yard completely closed in? Asking because of rattle snakes.

[@hippiegirl5167]

Does your woman like to garden to ?

[@bonniegaither3994]

Seriously. Did you even listen to this video