Julie Wilson’s garden may not look like much now, but if you saw it in December, the transformation would be evident.
That’s when she and her husband, Dean, began serious work on restoring their Iliaina Street yard in Kailua after the hillside garden was consumed by a landslide caused by heavy rain a couple of years ago.
Wilson, a 48-year-old stay-at-home mom, said they first had to deal with an abundance of hard, chunky clay and mud. Later came the task of cutting down branches from an out-of-control kiawe tree.
"We dug out lots of debris — seven truckloads. The whole backyard was filled with junk. It was definitely a labor of love," Wilson said, noting that during the process she learned to use an array of tools including a pickax and garden claw to break up the clay.
"It took about 3 1⁄2 weeks just to clear the tree. Now that we cleared the tree branches, the garden gets plenty of sun and plenty of rain."
The removal of debris and mud uncovered the yard’s rock walls. The Wilsons worked hard to build stairs and used plywood and rebar to create terraces to avoid another washout in heavy rain and keep the dirt and landscaping in place.
"Nothing came down during the latest heavy rains, so we were happy," she said.
"It’s a work in progress."
Ferns, marigolds, geraniums and other plants grace the landscape, which comprises five rows covering a 20-by-20-foot area. She’s using organic means to grow shallots and cilantro, and is cultivating lettuce in pots. Wilson said she plans to bring in native plants as well.
She looks for plants that are low maintenance, including aloe vera and other succulents.
"Water is expensive, so we are putting in ground cover," she said.
The herb garden, which includes basil, lavender, rosemary, peppermint and spearmint, is her favorite part of the garden. The herbs serve as a natural pesticide and are useful for cooking.
"The lavender is so relaxing. You can break off a sprig and put it in your pillowcase," she said.
"I love cooking with the rosemary and basil. Nothing beats olive oil, bread with fresh basil from the garden and a glass of wine."
Wilson dons her floral-print garden boots to work in the garden about two hours a week, pulling weeds, pruning and adding plants. She recently put in some solar lights to create a "twinkly" atmosphere at night.
The modest garden is a source of pride and enjoyment for Wilson, who for many years was limited in what she was allowed to do in her yard.
"My husband just retired from the military. We would move around a lot, and everything needed to be in pots," she said. "This is the first time in a long time that I’ve been able to put things in the ground. I have roots.
"My parents taught me to always leave wherever you’ve been better than you found it," she said. "We are tenants, so if we move, hopefully someone else will enjoy it."
In the meantime Wilson is spending lots of time in the backyard, admiring her garden.
"I’m out here every day. I drink my coffee and just relax."
"Garden Party" is an occasional series that spotlights home gardeners. If you know someone with an exceptional or unique yard, send their name, address, contact information and a brief description and photo of their yard to features@staradvertiser.com.
