Happy Monday GPODers!
No matter the age of your garden, or how long you’ve been working on it, the evolution always continues. This is certainly the case for Criss in Northeast Ohio. We’ve visited Criss a few times in the past (Check out those previous submissions here: Criss’s Ohio Garden, Revisiting an Ohio Gardenand Gardening With Criss in Ohio), but their garden continues to transform with new plants and projects that reshape the space and add new moments of interest. In this submission, Criss outlines some of the most recent changes that continue to update and enhance the landscape.
Hello,
My name is Criss and I live in Northeast Ohio. I have 2-1/2 acres with an old farmhouse and buildings. I wanted to send some pics of things I’ve been doing and adding to my property. I have two separate garden yards… east and west. Thanks for your time… Appreciate it.
This is in the west yard and the first pic shows a grape arbor covered on it’s side by a huge holly bush.
I took out the holly and these photos show how it opened this area up. I added a garden the length of the arbor and put stones around it.
A bit further down the path in the opposite direction of the grape arbor, you can see how the new garden bed works into the existing design and is a much better fit than the overgrown holly that Criss removed.
The next two pics are in the west yard, and the first is a garden behind my log cabin (I’ve sent pics of it before).
This is a natural tunnel that was formed by beautybush (Kolkwitzia lovableZones 4–8) and couple of huge leatherleaf viburnums (Viburnum rhytidophyllumZones 6–9). I had no idea this was here until I had to move a bush out and saw this and loved it… So I added the sheep.
These are pics walking into my east yard. I added the stepping stones a couple years back.
A four square garden I made and decided to make some hedges. The bigger hedge is about 3 years old now and the one on the left I started last year so it has a ways to go.
This pic shows directly across from this garden towards the greenhouse and other garden areas.
A fenced area where I have herbs and a topiary garden.
Lastly, the art in Criss’s garden continues with this whimsical scene. A moss-covered trough nestled in the shade is the perfect spot to let some stone statues tell a story.
Thank you so much for this beautiful update on your garden, Criss! Your lush landscape was a delight the first time you submitted, and it’s always a pleasure to see how you continue to update the space and create new spectacular garden scenes.
What updates have you made in your garden this growing season? Are you continuing to work on a new garden you built in the past couple of years, or have you made major renovations to a mature garden that needed reworking? No matter the size or scale of your projects, consider sharing your garden updates with the blog. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to (email protected) along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Morvat Heavy Duty Brass Y-Valve
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
– Instantly create two tap outlets with this ultra-durable Y hose splitter. The dual-valve design features built-in shut-off valves.
– Fitted with US Standard NH 3/4″ threads for use with most water source fittings
– Screw the 2 way splitter adapter by hand or wrench with the updated hexagonal top connection. The 360° rotatable swivel connection attaches to any water source.

The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
2024 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner! This awe-inspiring guide weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard.

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.