Grass-to-Gardens Photo Journey
![backyard before photo](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog01-before.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
In 2005 Sustainable Village moved and became care-taker for this grass-covered backyard.
![kids jumping on trampoline](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog02-trampoline.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
It was great for small children but created a big carbon footprint. A small park was close by though and children get older…
![building a deck](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog03-deck_to_bed.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
We replaced the old, splintery deck with Trex (95% recycled/reclaimed), and decided to recycle the old deck into raised beds on top of the grass.
![digging in a raised bed](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog04-bed_digging.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Though the redwood's condition was too bad for a deck, it made great beds- still in service now, 14 years later.
![Trex](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog05-Trex.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Extra Trex helped make more beds,
![fabric bed additions](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog06-fabric_adds.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
as did some fabric beds we just put on top of the grass. After a year, we spiked holes in the fabric bottoms and cut most of it out.
![raised beds](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog07-beds.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Every year we added more beds and had less grass. We used PVC hoops and plastic to keep things growing longer and starting earlier.
![more digging in a raised bed](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog08-bed_digging2.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
At first, we dug out the beds but soon we just started putting a fabric bed, cardboard, and heavy mulch/soil/compost on top of the grass.
![groundcover](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog09-grass_to_groundcover.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Instead of beds, in some places we just planted and cultivated ground covers.
![getting started](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog10-getting_started.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
More Garden, Less Grass
![before photo of pond](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog11-pong_before.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
In this corner, we decided to use some of our rainwater to fill a koi pond.
Here’s what it looks like now:
![pond endview](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog12-pond_endview.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
![pond sideview](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog13-pond_sideview.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
![koi in fish pond](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog15-pond_fish.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
![turtle in backyard pond](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog16-pond_turtle.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
![pond waterfall](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog17-waterfall.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
![North side of pond](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog14-pond_North.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Here’s a video taken with a drone before we expanded the pond:
More Examples
![garden backdoor](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog18-backdoor.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Backdoor Pathway
![path to pond](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog19-path_to_pond.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Path to Pond
![the bird zone](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog20-birdzone.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Bird Zone
![hail protection](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog21-hail_protection.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Hail Protection
![peonies](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog22-peonies.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Peonies holding their own in a thick ground cover
![azaleas](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog23-camellias.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Azaleas
![cannabis](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog24-cannabis.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Cannabis
![Chinese chives](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog25-Chinese_chives.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Our Favorite Herb - jiu cai 韭菜
![flowers](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog26-DrSeuss_flowers_Goji.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Dr. Seuss Lorax Flowers & Goji Berries
![happy irises](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog27-happy_irises.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Happy Irises
![tomato growing on sunflower stalk](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog28-tomato_sunflower.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
Tomato growing on sunflower stalk
![photo from September 2022](https://www.sustainablevillage.com/Blog-images/g2g_journey_blog29-September22.jpg?resizeid=5&resizeh=1200&resizew=1200)
9/18/2022