The Garden: A Work In Progress
Richard Rhodes pauses at his favorite spot in the garden. It took three years for Richard and Sheryl Rhodes to transform their plot of land into a lush retreat. Their efforts are expected to be a highlight of the 2008 Spring Home Garden Tour, hosted by the Smith County Master Gardeners. The garden is located at 711 W. Heritage Drive.
By JACQUE HILBURN
Feature Writer
When Richard and Sheryl Rhodes purchased their dream home about four years ago, they quickly realized a nightmare was lurking in the backyard.
Feature Writer
When Richard and Sheryl Rhodes purchased their dream home about four years ago, they quickly realized a nightmare was lurking in the backyard.
Poison ivy vines - some 3 inches in diameter - trailed more than 100 feet into the tops of nearby trees. There was not a blade of grass to be found, only masses of tangled vines and bushes.
And when it rained, a river ran through it.
It was, in a word, a disaster, the family said.
It was, in a word, a disaster, the family said.
"It was awful," Rhodes said. "Poison ivy was everywhere."
Countless bruises, blisters and bottles of anti-itch medicine later, the azalea and flower-filled gardens are testament of what can happen when a guy with a green thumb caves into the vision of suburban paradise.
Visitors can tour the Rhodes' labor of love during the 2008 Spring Home Garden Tour, hosted May 3 by the Smith County Master Gardeners.
"This is my passion," he said. "My dad always said, 'If it's worth doing, do it right.'"
PROGRESS, DISASTER, VICTORY
Rhodes first discovered he had a knack for all things green when he was just a boy.
Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero
The Rhodes added walking paths and play areas for their five grandchildren that included a fort and swings, an area for tossing horseshoes and a camping area, complete with fire pit. After four years of hard work, a park-like setting has emerged from what once was a vine infested plot of land.
"Dad was a sergeant major in the Army," he said. "I remember when we moved into a new home, there was nothing around it but dirt."
He started planting, watering, clipping and mowing, eventually earning local and statewide recognition for the efforts.
As an adult, his enthusiasm for gardening is shared with his wife.
"We've lived in a lot of houses, and had a lot of small yards," he said.
When it came time to select their "forever" home, they chose a home on a 1.5 acre lot that backed up to a flood plain.
For Rhodes, an engineer with EOG Resources, the poison-ivy filled backyard promised to be an interesting challenge. "I got my snippers and started cutting," he said. "It's still a work in progress."
Determined to claim their new yard, the couple spent months clearing out vines and brush. When spring rolled around the following year, they began making improvements on the dry creek bed. Along the way, they added a little support: boulders, pebbles, rocks, paving stones.
To this mix, they added about 2,000 sacks of cypress mulch, a small mountain of potting soil and peat moss, and hundreds of plants and bulbs.
Finally, at long last, they added a swimming pool, deck, children's fort, flagstone walking paths and more plants.
Just when it seemed they had created a small slice of paradise in their backyard, it began to rain.
And rain.
Amid last year's record setting rainfall, the Rhodes could only watch helplessly as water overwhelmed the retaining walls and gully.
Amid last year's record setting rainfall, the Rhodes could only watch helplessly as water overwhelmed the retaining walls and gully.
When the rain stopped, they went back to work, adding support to the walls and redirecting some of the water flow, more than 100 tons in all.
They added a gazebo, more walking paths and play areas for the five grandchildren that included a fort and swings, an area for tossing horseshoes and a camping area, complete with fire pit.
The couple had a second battle with some of the vines, but they are slowly reclaiming the area, again.
"I crave daylight-saving time so after work I can get out here and start working," Rhodes said, plucking oak seedlings from between flagstone pavers.
For their efforts, the Rhodes say they have a family-friendly year-round retreat, brimming with color, fragrance and fond memories.
It's been so popular with the neighbors Rhodes agreed to help out with their properties, but he's making no promises on a precise outcome.
"I don't put anything on paper," he said. "I just envision it and everything is improvised."
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