June 2018 Yard of the Month: 534 Winchester Drive

June 2018 Yard of the Month: 534 Winchester Drive

June 2018 Yard of the Month: 534 Winchester Drive

The June 2018 Yard of the Month belongs to Melissa and Theo at 534 Winchester Drive. Here is what they had to say about their yard:

We are honored to be selected as yard of the month in a neighborhood with so many yards worthy of the award!

We moved here in fall 2016 and felt welcomed by the neighborhood from the first day. Practically without fail, greetings from neighbors shifted to conversation about our home’s original owner — Mr. Freck Matthews, a true fixture of Heights Park. In addition to the consensus that he was an all-around great neighbor, many conveyed stories of how well he maintained his yard, such as how he pulled weeds by hand in the heat of summer. We wanted to carry his dedication forward as best we could.

The goal for the landscaping was to reduce the amount of turf grass by adding a low-water, low-maintenance flowerbed. We also wanted to attract beneficial insects and wildlife; we are already seeing bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies enjoying the flowers. Unfortunately, the flowerbed is not as low-maintenance as we’d hoped thus far. Lesson learned: don’t underestimate the persistence of nutsedge and bermuda grass! Weed-blocking fabric did not stop them; layers of cardboard, mulch and good old-fashioned weed pulling by hand seem to be more effective. We are novice gardeners, figuring everything out through trial and lots of error. It’s a work in progress!

We selected mostly native perennial plants that can handle the full and direct sun in our south-facing yard. A lot of inspiration came from taking the city of Richardson WaterWise home landscape tours in 2016 and 2017. Nearly all of our plants regrew from the winter, and some are already re-seeding themselves. This spring, several white iris plants a neighbor gave us from her garden bloomed, and we look forward to seeing them multiply in future years. The Chinese pistachio tree was planted about a year ago, and will provide some much-needed shade to the front yard as it grows.

Thank you again!

Melissa and Theo
534 Winchester Drive

Yard of the Month

Is your yard a source a pride? A work of art? A labor of love? It’s time to receive some formal recognition for all those hours of hard work.

The HPNA Yard of the Month contest is for all residents of Heights Park neighborhood, and nominations are due by the 20th of each month. Nominations received by the 20th will be considered for the next month’s YOM. Nominations received after that will be considered in the next cycle.

Visit this site each month to see photos of the best yards in our neighborhood. View the Contest Rules here.

Nominate a Yard!

Yard Of The Month Archives

2018:

2017:

2016:

2015:

2014:

2013:

2012:

2011:

2010:

2009:

2008:

2007:

2006: