WEBVTT 00:00.866 --> 00:01.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - I've always loved gardening. 00:01.766 --> 00:03.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I bought the house in 1985, 00:03.266 --> 00:06.066 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% and I was so excited because the first thing I wanted to do 00:06.066 --> 00:09.400 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% was to get out in the yard and start digging in the dirt. 00:09.400 --> 00:10.233 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (Nancy laughing) 00:10.233 --> 00:11.466 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% I never get tired of, 00:11.466 --> 00:14.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I love the feel of the dirt in my hands. 00:14.200 --> 00:15.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% When I got here, the house was a wreck, 00:15.966 --> 00:17.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and there were no flower beds at all. 00:17.900 --> 00:20.100 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% It was just some grass and stuff. 00:20.100 --> 00:22.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Over the years it's developed and changed. 00:22.966 --> 00:26.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Like the beds in the back, that big perennial bed I have, 00:26.700 --> 00:30.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% well the first third of it, I was out there digging one day, 00:30.466 --> 00:33.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and at the time there was just a little metal fence. 00:33.666 --> 00:35.100 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% We didn't have the privacy fence. 00:35.100 --> 00:39.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And there was an elderly coupled that lived back there, 00:39.166 --> 00:42.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and the man had retired, but he liked to work outdoors, 00:42.500 --> 00:45.466 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% and so he saw me digging, and he went, 00:45.466 --> 00:47.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% "Nancy, I love to work outdoors. 00:47.633 --> 00:49.033 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% "Can I help you?" 00:49.033 --> 00:51.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So he came over the fence and started digging up 00:51.633 --> 00:54.700 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% a whole bunch of the land for me. 00:54.700 --> 00:57.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% There was a teenage boy who lived across the street, 00:57.766 --> 00:59.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and he was always anxious to earn some money. 00:59.666 --> 01:01.600 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% So, he came over and helped me dig. 01:01.600 --> 01:03.600 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% Someone from University of Texas, 01:03.600 --> 01:05.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% where I worked for a long time, 01:05.466 --> 01:07.433 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% a student, was trying to earn money. 01:07.433 --> 01:09.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So she helped me build the, 01:09.266 --> 01:11.566 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% dig up the third section. (laughing) 01:11.566 --> 01:12.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% It was that Blackland Prairie, 01:12.900 --> 01:15.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% which was clay, has a whole lot of clay in it. 01:15.200 --> 01:17.633 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% And when it would get wet you could almost mold it. 01:17.633 --> 01:20.500 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% So, over the years I just slowly added 01:20.500 --> 01:21.766 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% more and more compost. 01:21.766 --> 01:25.100 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% However, there are some plants that will grow 01:25.100 --> 01:26.700 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% in that Blackland Prairie stuff 01:26.700 --> 01:28.300 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% and you don't have to do anything to. 01:28.300 --> 01:30.166 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% And I've never amended the soil. 01:30.166 --> 01:31.633 align:left position:30% line:5% size:60% If you get the right type of plant, 01:31.633 --> 01:33.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% you don't have to amend the soil. 01:33.000 --> 01:36.233 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% But I did, for the most part, the big perennial bed 01:36.233 --> 01:39.400 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% I have amended over the years with a whole lot of compost. 01:39.400 --> 01:42.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% 'Cause it does keep that soil real loose. 01:42.200 --> 01:44.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% 'Cause you know, it would rain, 01:44.100 --> 01:45.600 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% it would get all soggy, 01:45.600 --> 01:47.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and the plants, some of the plants weren't very happy. 01:47.733 --> 01:51.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Lavender, I have tried and tried to grow lavender. 01:51.366 --> 01:55.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I've made special beds, I've done the whole thing. 01:55.000 --> 01:57.033 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% Can't grow lavender. (laughing) 01:57.033 --> 01:59.733 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% But I try to stick to native plants 01:59.733 --> 02:02.400 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% or plants that are adapted to this area. 02:02.400 --> 02:03.700 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% That always helps. 02:03.700 --> 02:05.266 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% My mother was a big gardener. 02:06.500 --> 02:07.600 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% She loved to garden. 02:07.600 --> 02:08.700 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% In fact, when she'd come visit me, 02:08.700 --> 02:11.366 align:left position:30% line:5% size:60% she'd be outside working in my yard. 02:11.366 --> 02:15.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And I lived in a small town that had farms, 02:16.833 --> 02:18.300 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% one right next to me, 02:18.300 --> 02:19.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% 'cause we lived on a dead end, 02:19.766 --> 02:21.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and at the other end of the block there was a big farm. 02:21.633 --> 02:23.700 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% I think that probably inspired me. 02:23.700 --> 02:27.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And one of the farms had a pecan grove 02:27.300 --> 02:30.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and every spring, this giant field of daffodils. 02:30.300 --> 02:32.300 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% They were so pretty. 02:32.300 --> 02:36.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So with all that, I got my house, and I went, 02:36.866 --> 02:39.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% "Oh yay, I get to go out and dig in the dirt. 02:39.566 --> 02:41.033 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% "How fun." 02:41.033 --> 02:42.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Well the first thing I built 02:42.533 --> 02:45.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% was the sidewalk along the house, and it goes to my shed. 02:45.900 --> 02:48.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% There was a path and it was mud and it was a mess. 02:48.733 --> 02:50.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And so I had some people from Georgetown, 02:50.833 --> 02:53.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% a landscape company, and they came out and did all of this. 02:53.733 --> 02:56.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And they had a mason who was wonderful, who did great work. 02:56.433 --> 02:59.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Fairly recently I had him do a patio, 02:59.466 --> 03:00.933 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% which was a blessing. 03:00.933 --> 03:02.266 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Looks real pretty, too. 03:02.266 --> 03:06.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And then I got this table to go on the patio. 03:06.000 --> 03:10.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And then just recently I had the sidewalk from here 03:10.900 --> 03:13.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% on the west side of my house. 03:13.300 --> 03:15.266 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% I just recently had that done, too. 03:15.266 --> 03:19.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I mean, just piecing this together is a work of art, 03:19.966 --> 03:22.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% getting it to look really nice. 03:22.500 --> 03:24.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And, and you know, it's funny, when I planted the plants, 03:24.800 --> 03:27.933 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% I didn't really, I just went out there and planted. 03:27.933 --> 03:30.100 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% I mean I tried to kind of put 03:30.100 --> 03:31.566 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% the taller plants at the back 03:31.566 --> 03:34.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and the lower plants of course at the front, 03:34.233 --> 03:36.300 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% but I didn't really have any plan. 03:36.300 --> 03:38.033 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% I just kind of planted stuff. 03:38.033 --> 03:40.733 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% And then if it did really well, great. 03:40.733 --> 03:43.266 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% If it didn't, I would either move it, 03:43.266 --> 03:45.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% 'cause I have a rosebush I moved three times 03:45.766 --> 03:48.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% before I found the perfect spot for it, 03:48.000 --> 03:50.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% or I would just go, well this plant's not gonna work 03:50.233 --> 03:52.233 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% so I'm gonna try something else. 03:52.233 --> 03:55.266 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% And you have to kind of find the right spot 03:55.266 --> 03:56.533 align:left position:30% line:5% size:60% for your plants. 03:56.533 --> 04:00.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Nurseries now are having more native plants, 04:00.400 --> 04:02.533 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% and more, well it says adapted. 04:02.533 --> 04:04.133 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% I have more butterflies. 04:04.133 --> 04:05.600 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% I have a lot of hummingbirds. 04:05.600 --> 04:08.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Bees love my yard and they love my pond. 04:08.433 --> 04:11.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I had a friend that moved down, a young man, 04:11.600 --> 04:13.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% he moved down from New Jersey. 04:13.400 --> 04:16.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% He moved down here 'cause his cousin was here, 04:16.233 --> 04:19.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and he needed a place to live. 04:19.200 --> 04:21.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And so I had an extra bedroom and bath, 04:21.800 --> 04:23.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and I said, "Well you can live here," you know, 04:23.466 --> 04:28.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% "until you find someplace to live, an apartment." 04:28.233 --> 04:30.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And I wasn't charging him any rent. 04:30.533 --> 04:35.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, one day he just said, "Nancy, you need a pond." 04:35.366 --> 04:37.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% He was interested in landscaping 04:37.000 --> 04:39.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and had made a pond for his mother. 04:39.266 --> 04:41.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I think that was the only pond he had done. 04:41.800 --> 04:44.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And so he just got out there one day with the shovel 04:44.466 --> 04:49.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and just started digging, digging and making platforms. 04:49.233 --> 04:50.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% He loved landscaping, 04:50.900 --> 04:53.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and while he was here, he took a couple, 04:53.033 --> 04:55.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% he went to ACC and took a couple landscaping courses. 04:55.900 --> 05:00.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% My pond is very popular with the squirrels and the birds 05:00.833 --> 05:04.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and all kinds of animals I see in that pond. 05:04.200 --> 05:05.100 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% They love the water. 05:05.100 --> 05:07.033 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% And in my fountain, too. 05:07.033 --> 05:08.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And the birds are in the water. 05:08.833 --> 05:11.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And the squirrels, I see everyone. 05:11.200 --> 05:12.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Everyone drinks outta those. 05:12.633 --> 05:14.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So that's nice for the wildlife. 05:14.933 --> 05:16.400 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% And I have frogs. 05:16.400 --> 05:19.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Once a year, I have frogs that make out in that pond 05:19.500 --> 05:21.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and make a lot of noise at night. 05:21.900 --> 05:24.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They have their big party at nighttime 05:24.566 --> 05:26.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and croak and croak and croak. 05:26.900 --> 05:29.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And at first it bothered me, 05:29.033 --> 05:31.200 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% and then I just went, okay, Nancy, 05:31.200 --> 05:34.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% just kinda let the frog sing you to sleep. 05:34.333 --> 05:37.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, it's, you know, I don't even notice it anymore. 05:37.633 --> 05:41.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But I love the sound of the water, and so, 05:41.233 --> 05:43.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and any garden or pond or anything 05:43.700 --> 05:45.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is gonna take a lotta work. 05:45.833 --> 05:47.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% But it's something I love to do. 05:47.233 --> 05:50.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And I'm retired now, so I've got time to do it. 05:50.500 --> 05:52.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I worked in the nursing school 05:52.766 --> 05:54.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in the Learning Resource Center 05:54.000 --> 05:57.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% as a librarian, a media librarian. 05:57.233 --> 06:00.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So I worked there for 35 years. 06:00.166 --> 06:01.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I guess the main thing is that 06:01.966 --> 06:05.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I love to intersperse artwork into my garden. 06:05.800 --> 06:07.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I think that's an important component. 06:07.700 --> 06:09.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Over the years I've collected art from 06:11.400 --> 06:15.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% a lot of artists from Austin, just from all around. 06:15.066 --> 06:16.333 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% I like artwork anyway. 06:16.333 --> 06:18.566 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% I always go on art tours and art museums. 06:18.566 --> 06:23.033 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% And so I just think that kinda adds to the flavor 06:23.033 --> 06:25.666 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% of my garden area. 06:25.666 --> 06:28.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Kinda makes it a little bit unique, I think. 06:28.000 --> 06:29.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It's not just plants. 06:29.066 --> 06:30.600 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It's plants and artwork, 06:30.600 --> 06:33.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and sometimes it's hard to find artwork 06:33.933 --> 06:35.166 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% that will go outside. 06:35.166 --> 06:37.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But I've found quite a bit over the years. 06:37.566 --> 06:41.833 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% The baby bears came from a woman named Cat Quintanilla, 06:41.833 --> 06:43.800 align:left position:30% line:5% size:60% who has a studio in South Austin. 06:43.800 --> 06:46.200 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% I love the little bears with the turquoise eyes. 06:46.200 --> 06:48.933 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% And so then I had commissioned the fish. 06:48.933 --> 06:52.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I've got fish by the same lady that are by the pond. 06:52.566 --> 06:56.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Gardener Girl is a replica of a woman 06:56.066 --> 06:58.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% named Sylvia White Judson, 06:58.666 --> 07:00.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% who was a famous sculptor 07:00.533 --> 07:03.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and whose work is in the White House Gardens, 07:03.333 --> 07:05.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in Jackie Kennedy's garden. 07:05.300 --> 07:07.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And I also have a lot of mosaic in the garden. 07:08.833 --> 07:13.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I've got mosaic stones and two mosaic benches, 07:14.733 --> 07:17.833 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% and one of them was done by a lady in Bertram. 07:17.833 --> 07:20.633 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% I guess I've always been into art, 07:20.633 --> 07:23.833 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% because my father was really big into art museums. 07:23.833 --> 07:26.766 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% Wherever we went we would go to the art museum. 07:26.766 --> 07:29.000 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80% And so I've always liked art. 07:29.000 --> 07:31.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I have a lot of art in my house. 07:31.300 --> 07:34.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I just think it's kind of like an art museum. 07:34.066 --> 07:38.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It's a plant museum with art everywhere. 07:38.000 --> 07:40.366 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% That's just one of my big themes. 07:40.366 --> 07:43.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I'm always looking for something else that I can put up 07:44.233 --> 07:46.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that would be art that goes outside. 07:46.500 --> 07:48.000 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Yeah, yeah.