We have lived in our home since 1996. At the time we moved in we landscaped the yard with grass and large flower beds. We went on vacation one very hot July and came home to find the lawn in the backyard had died (the front was watered by a neighbor). The only plants that survived were two potato plants Pam had been given for Mother's Day. Instead of re-sodding the yard we decided to turn it into the low-maintenance retreat we now have.

Pam was able to get the swimming pool she had always wanted and I got a water feature and the flower beds located behind the pool. These two flower beds are named, Doug's and Pam's flower beds.

On the east side of the yard we built a one-of-a-kind garden shed designed as a caboose with its own patio called the "Whistle Stop Cafe." Each spring the beds are replanted with various plants such as daffodils, carnations, daisies, four o'clocks, cosmos and other beautiful flowers. Each spring we have a contest to see who can grow the largest and most beautiful plants in the flower beds.

This past year some new varieties of plants were added to the garden. One plant that Pam's mother calls an Australian hedge, and also new roses such as John Kennedy, Disneyland, and Julia Child. The Australian Hedge blooms every afternoon and loses the flowers each morning and then the cycle starts over again.

This past year we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary and transformed the yard into a Hawaii theme for an authenic luau. Another of Pam's hobbies is finding new ceramic frogs and garden art to put in the yard. She also enjoys searching for new varieties of plants to put in the containers on her patio.

As you will see, we have achieved the design we sought when planning our new yard. We now have a low-maintenance oasis to enjoy with our granddaughter, Miss Nat, family and friends.

The yard is consistently changing with different flowers and bushes every year. Signs and collectibles are found on the fences and in the flower beds. We have flowers that bloom in the evening. We have lights on the fence and in the bushes. We have rock speakers for music. We haven't covered any of our patios so that we can enjoy the stars at night. We can be found enjoying our backyard night or day.

Last in a series

Spring Garden Tour 2007

When: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Five stops planned

Gardens on tour: Tyler Davis, Lemoore; David and Szetiana DeSilva, Hanford; Pam and Doug Spurlock, Hanford; Michael Lefors, Laton; Bill and Claudean Thwaytes, Hanford.

Cost: Tickets are $10 per person. Available at Hofmans Nursery (12491 W. Lacey Blvd.) in Hanford, Gonsalves-Fasso Florist (603 E. Grangeville Blvd.) in Hanford, and Ramblin' Rose Florist (242 Heinlen St.) in Lemoore. Tickets also available for purchase from any Hanford Garden Club member.

(April 18, 2007)