6465 Harbor Master Drive, Hixson 37343
Purchased in late 2018, the .6 acre yard was a veritable blank slate but held promise as one of the few flat yards up on the Hixson ridge… perfect for a vegetable garden. Dealing with chert, a 1st for these Florida gardeners, prompted Diane to take the Master Gardening class. Several of the beds were designed to manage the waterflow through the hilly neighborhood. Eleven raised beds grow lots of organic veggies for the family and half the neighbors.
Apple and pear trees and elderberry, raspberry and blueberry bushes bear lots of fruit which Diane uses in baking. The mixture of sun and shade provides opportunities for a variety of annuals, perennials, natives and ornamental plants with a heavy focus on lots of flowers blooming during all seasons.
Scattered throughout the gardens are sculptures which Diane and Steve have collected over the years. Many of the annuals are started early in the season in the 6’ x 8’ greenhouse and hardened off on the large potting bench. As the President of the Chattanooga Bluebird Society, Diane has several birdhouses in the backyard which may have residents in them during the tour.
Photo by Sandee Jenkins