Take a bird’s-eye view of The Gardens at SkyRidge! In this video, I’m flying you over our entire property and walking you through how all five gardens connect — from the cottage garden to the Mediterranean garden, the tropical garden, and beyond.
I’ll show you how each space relates to the next, how we designed the layout for flow and beauty, and share some of our future plans for expanding and improving each area.
Whether you’re planning your own garden layout or just love seeing how different garden styles work together, this tour will give you inspiration for creating a cohesive space of your own.
Hey guys. So, we’re doing something a little bit different today. It’s something that’s been asked for quite a bit, and I’ve put off doing it because I kind of wanted more Well, first of all, I wanted more done around here to be able to make this a better type of video. Um, also, I I just haven’t really wrapped my head around how I would do it. And so what we’re doing today is a drone tour of the property because I I I get all the time in the comments that even though I walk around the property and kind of show you the different things we’re doing, different things that are happening, it’s hard for you guys to visualize where things are in relationship to other things. And so today, what I thought I would do, yesterday I went and I did drone footage as good as I could do. I’m uh pretty novice when it comes to drone drone flying and stuff like that. But I think I did a pretty good job. Um good enough, let’s say. So, what I want to do now is kind of just walk you around like this and then we’ll slip drone footage in to kind of show you in relationship to everything else and where everything is. Before I do that though, I want to show you something that I I haven’t worked on it in a while. Um, but when we first moved in here and I started visualizing what was going to be happening around the acre and a half, um, I drew it all out on graph paper and an acre and a half is hard to fit on graph paper. So, I have like a bunch of graph paper pieces taped together and it’s not easy to fold up. So, this is kind of how it’s been for the last well putting it back and forth into my the top of my closet. Um, but I’m gonna unroll it here or unfold it and show you. I haven’t looked at this in probably a year and a half and so I don’t Some things have changed since the beginning and some I’ve updated on here and some I have not. So, let’s just unfold it and see what we got. So, this is the house right here. Here’s the vegetable garden. And I remember highlighting these while I was counting how many um how much stone I would need for the retaining walls. Then here’s the vineyard next to it. This was supposed to be an ancient olive tree. Now it’s a fig tree. Um, these are the espalade apples. Now, this was hard to measure over here cuz it was just a weird shape. So, the orchard, which this is the orchard right here, is actually more out here. Japanese garden was still that’s where I had it. the formal English garden. That’s exactly how it’s going to be. Up here, I had an Alice in Wonderland garden, which I have decided to do away with, and I will tell you why. The cottage garden is up here, and I just left that blank because that was something I was just going to be figuring out organically as I went. There wasn’t going to be a plan or a rhyme or reason to it, and that’s how it turned out in a good way. And this big blank area over here was the pasture area. And look at this out here, which is out there where the basketball court is. Now, it says goats and greenhouse and shed. I also made a map that has each garden area labeled and colorcoded. So, I’m going to put that up so that you can get a get your bearings. As you can see, the house is in the pretty much dead center and all the gardens are laid out around it. the front yard, we have the cottage garden. Um, at least directly out from the house, a little bit to the right of that, we have the uh formal English garden. To the left of the cottage garden in the upper pasture, we have what will be the mill pond garden. [Applause] And those three spaces pretty much make up the England portion, the England theme of our property. The entire north side of the property is well it was the pasture. Now it’s going to be the tropical fruit forest and the Hawaiian sun garden. The banana walk is looking over that and that separates that from the jungle tropical garden which I’m standing in right now. That has the big deck with the cover looking over it. And I’m including the basketball court in the tropical garden because that eventually will be absorbed into the tropical garden. And then moving right around to the south of the tropical garden is the Mediterranean garden which uh is large but it is split up just like the trop tropical garden and the England area. So we’ve got the formal Mediterranean garden here first then the vineyard and then the vegetable garden and then some blank space over there that will be Mediterranean. I don’t know exactly how I’m going to use that. Right up from there is the orchard. And above that is the future Japanese garden. And then to the left of that in the picture here is going to be one of two utility areas. The other one will be the uh corral cover there. So I think what we’ll do first is start up at the cottage garden. It’s the first garden that you see when you enter the property. This is the most complete garden and I really love the way it looked on the drone footage because of the grass in the front. And uh while it has been thinned out just recently, I had a video on that a couple videos ago cleaning it up uh end of summer. This one garden is probably more planting area than my entire last house. And for those of you who don’t know, this used to be when we first moved in here, it was a cactus and succulent garden. Uh just basically the front of it, the back was all dirt and brush. So over from the cottage is going to be the future mill pond garden. And it’ll be really nice. You could sit up here at the cottage, look out at the mill and the pond and the ducks. On this burm that runs out from this gate, uh we’re going to have grass trees. And then right down from that burm there will be uh some of our tropical fruit trees will just make a nice green background which will be a definite dividing line and backdrop to this mil pond garden. So you don’t see like all the tropical stuff cuz that would not go well together. So the former pasture and the mil pond garden are a little more than a quarter of an acre. And as I just announced a few videos back that the uh lower portion here is going to be our tropical fruit forest. And then below that will be our Hawaiian sun garden. There’s a lot of tropical plants that I love that grow in the sun. This banana walk I’m standing in and the tropical garden up here which will have the water feature up on the the patio area. Um that’s going to be mostly shade eventually. So I wanted a space where I could uh focus on sun plants that would always be sun. So, we’ll have that that will be divided from the jungle patio tropical garden by the banana walk that I’m standing in. It’s the greenest thing probably on the screen on the drone footage. Then we come up to what used to be what we known as the parking lot. It was just a huge expanse of decomposed granite and gravel that went all the way. These hedges were not here. Went all the way across. It looked like a parking lot and so that’s what we had called it for a while. But now it is divided into two sections. Up here we have this horseshoe bed of taro and cana and um ginger. And this blank space out here in the middle is going to be a natural pool or swim pond. In this area here with no plants, there’s going to be a rock water feature with some waterfalls and some planting pockets and things like that. Now, this upper tropical garden will be divided from the Mediterranean garden by this hedge. And here in the opening in the hedge, there will be a gate that will kind of help to divide it even more. But right now, can head on through and uh up here still on the what’s left of the parking lot on this side is going to be a a formal Italian garden. Um that’ll be up here. It’ll also be down here where right now these eucalyptus trees are, but we have other plans down there for a more formal area as well. And looking off this patio area, we can see the vineyard and the uh vegetable garden and the orchard beyond that. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] So up the property above the orchard is going to be the future Japanese garden. It’s the only garden that has not started yet. However, it was the only area with a pine tree on the property everywhere. We didn’t have any other trees except for eucalyptus. And so, um, that’s not why I decided to have the Japanese garden there. It just was kind of serendipitous that that’s where it ended up. So, down from the Japanese garden area and across from the orchard is going to be our formal English garden area. I’ll throw up a little picture here of what the inspiration for that is. [Music] And this is a 36x 60 ft spot. We’re still working on getting it flattened out and uh ready to plant in the spring hopefully. Now, every good garden needs an area for utilities and potting and composting. And so right above this formal English garden up there on that plateau is going to be a pretty large area where I can have sheds, compost bins, potting table. Um I would love to have a couple of bays up there where we can open up that fence, put some gates in that chain link fence, and when I get compost delivered here, um or mulch delivered here, they can just back up and dump it in there. and then I can always just have a spot to go get it. Um, that entire area will be surrounded by tall hedging. So, from anywhere else in the garden, you’re not going to see all of that. It’s just going to be kind of a hidden place for me to be able to do whatever I need to do. Um, and hopefully not hopefully not just a catch all to throw a bunch of junk in. In fact, I would love to have a nice area for filming in there for potting or taking cutings or anything like that that right now I just kind of do wherever I can find a spot. Um, that would be kind of a dedicated area for that. And then we’re right back around to the cottage garden. So, I hope this made sense. I hope this allowed you to kind of get a better grasp of when I’m filming in certain spots or talking about certain spots. You have an idea of what I’m talking about and where that is in relationship to everything else. Thank you for watching. If I didn’t cover anything that you have questions about, definitely put it in the comments and I’ll see you guys next time.
46 Comments
You have accomplished so much in the short time you have lived there. The drone video was so helpful to show exactly where the different areas are located and how they connect together. Absolutely beautiful and so much for us to look forward to. Thank you Brian.
So nice, thanks for the overhead shots. 🎉
What if you had kept Clover and sold mom
So what’s your next area you are working? Looks great! You’ve come so far
my brain loves the graph paper. I do the same thing, which my husband thinks I'm nuts. Now I can tell him other people do it to!
Great video! Looking forward to going on this awesome gardening adventure with you!!
oh that cottage looks so good from above. this was very helpful to give us the big picture thanks🙂
That's a pretty complicated map and very detailed and must have taken a long time to conceive. I'm from England originally and am curious as to why there is so much about English gardens etc? Of course am pro such things but all the same it is different to see so much derived from England in California and in your garden. I wonder what your inspiration for it was? Such a diffferent climae too! Will you havw moss and raked aeas in your Japanese garden?
Such an amazing look at all your gardens so much work has gone into it and a lot more to follow how lovely for you and your family i ❤ it thanks for sharing 👍
I love your ideas and your gardens. I'm also very happy to see you more back online. 🙂
Cool like the drone looks good it shows a lot of work u done
Really appreciated the drone footage and the mapping of the property. Perhaps we have missed them, but there does not seem to be a lot of little places to sit or rest throughout the property. You have a great overall flow and your plans look like they have great sight-lines. Your comment about sitting at the Cottage Garden and looking out at the Mill and Millpond with the ducks provoked us to think about sitting areas and if there are any plans for a "cottagey" swing in the side area of it that would be facing the Mill and Millpond. It would be a very reflective and contemplative area and would provide awesome vistas. Just a thought. Not trying to be nosy or bossy. Thanks for the video and for allowing us to tag along in the process!
You,ve made and continue to make your home place absolutely beautiful. Barbara
The drone shots were very cool. Your Cottage garden home is beautiful ❤
What a huge undertaking. Aren’t you glad you don’t have to follow a timetable. I have n doubt you will be successful.
Have you considered grading your tropical fruit forest instead of planting on a slope? Grading might give you more space to plant in.
Level spaces are also easier to work or walk in.
I have been following for quite awhile now. My husband recognizes your voice and now he watches the videos with me. He also loved Daisy. But I think he started appreciating your videos when Bella came home with you.
Well done, Brian. Quite the oasis. And not even done yet. Kudos.
Very nice! I knew you were logging miles running around out there!😊
Great video, thanks for the garden tour.
Beautiful!!
T😅hanks Brian……all makes beautiful, daydreaming, sense. I know you guys can do it. After 40 years, on our farm,my husband and I are still chasing ours. C😅heers, Muffy.
Very nice! Your 1.5 acres plays like 3. You have done a great job designing!!
Awesome!! TY!
Love it! Thanks so much for the tour! What was that about an Alice in wonderland section? I’m assuming that’s now the compost garden workshop area?
I'm so excited for you! Amazing! It is on its way to being magical! I love the wonderful varieties, like a fantasy, a dream come true, sort of like visiting different countries all in one spot. Great idea to do the video the way you did. I'm along for the long, but exciting ride! Thanks for the update! ❤
Love the drone views. You have done so much in such a short time, and the veggie garden is so tiny compared to the rest of the property. I remember when that was the first thing to get in, I thought wow that is huge. But compared to rest of the property it is tiny LOL Looking forward to all you have planned. I am so glad you are sharing this with us!!!!!
You need to do this once every quarter or so lol. Im still excited about the natural pond. I also need inspiration on the utility area. My compost pile and utility area is a terrible mess. Ill be waiting for that one!
Your amazing the hard work you've done
WOW! Brian you were so good at showing and explaining your vision! I have to admit, I was always a little confused whenever you would discuss your visions for the different gardens. But with this video, I really get it. Thank you for all the extra effort.❤
Absolutely love the drone footage of your place. Please do another one around Christmas!
Love your creativity. What an amazing plan and what you’ve done so far is incredible!
I really enjoy watching your vision progress. I can't imagine what your water costs are going to be once you're finished with all of the landscaping. I live near your old haunts and my water bills in the summer for my 1/2 acre are horrendous. Still planning on a well?
Loved seeing your taped together map, I try to graph out what changes I make to my garden and flower beds each year to keep track of where and what is in each section but your graph made me laugh! Thank you for showing us your property and where everything is located (for now). I am sure this video will be helpful to show you in the future how far you have come with developing your property. You inspire me! Thanks!
That was fun – thank you. You've done amazing things in a short time and it's impressive. Your visions come to the world so beautifully.
Amazing! Looks great! Thank you for sharing!
Wow Brian! You've come so far! That is all looking so great! I look forward to seeing the progress in the future, too.
Looking forward to all your future projects to the property ❤ Everything you've described is such a dream ✨️ Thank you for being an inspiration to us all
Great video thank you
I really love your gardens. They have so much character. Can't wait to watch everything develop.😊❤🇨🇦🙏
I love what you have done so far & your vision for future plans. I also think your color choice for the house will be beautiful. I wish my house looked like your coop – those are some lucky chickens to have such a charming abode.
congratulations on the new drone, super cool tour abilities with that! Thanks!
Thank you Brian. I’ve been on vacation now I’m trying to get caught up on my favorite YouTube channels. 🍁🍂💚🙃
I REALLY appreciated this video, now everything makes more sense ! 🍂🍁💚🙃
You have accomplished SOOO much in the time you've been at this property! I love watching the entire process. We left CA for TX last year and if you ever come to the Lubbock area (Texas Tech is a great school!) you have a place to stay, and I would love any suggestions for our 1.5 acre property. We live in the one area of Lubbock that is nothing like Lubbock (a hidden gem of a town that few know about).
This is a great videos of inspiration. Thank you. It looks fantastic thus far!
Loved this! I watch all your videos and am amazed at how much you have done and how fast things are growing.The drone footage was awesome! It really helped put everything into perspective. ❤
Thanks for sharing this with us! This video, especially with the drone footage, is a great introduction to The Gardens at Skyridge!