Please share your story when you moved to another home

6 years ago

Hi all,

My husband and I are planning to put our 100yo farmhouse on the market with 3 acres. We have lived here for 22 years and have made many fond memories here with our 3 grown children now. They have left the house, living local, but the property has gotten to be too much work for the two of us. As with many of you and myself included, many garden treasures have been taken in and planted. I plan to take most of the bulbs, ephemerals and split some perennials. I have small roses in which I have taken cuttings of many of my roses but still won't be able to grow in next smaller yard.

We have a hunch that a builder will come in and level the house and if not, I will leave many plants in hopes that the next owner will enjoy what has been planted here.

Carol, I have read your posts often on what size your lot is and how many lovely plants fit into it. I would like to hear more if you would share?

I look forward to reading of others who have moved to smaller living to this humble request.

Patty

Featured Answer

portlandmysteryrose

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi, Patty. Just catching up on the forum. Everyone has offered wonderful and understanding suggestions, but I'll add some of my thoughts and garden info in case they're helpful. My last garden was at least 4x the size of my current one. (I just checked the city map.) I live on a 5,400 square foot lot, but the house, garage, deck and oversized driveway probably swallow 3/4 of the lot.

Like you, at my last residence, I grew countless bulbs, perennials and shrubs (many of which were roses) that I wished to keep. Before leaving, I made a list of all I wanted to move and begged favors from any gardening friend who would help dig. The most precious plants I dug myself. I acquired a gazillion nursery pots in advance in addition to a pile of potting soil. This reduced the bed creation and planting pressure. Like you, I took cuttings and hoped for the best. With traveling OGRs like Gallicas and such, I sliced stolons and tagged the canes to be dug and moved later.

I've been trying to decide whether or not to share this on the forum, but I will since it's best to be prepared. My former garden is gone. It lasted through several years and two owners who enjoyed it, but the current owners ripped out everything. Yes, everything.

With that said, I want to emphasize that the latest owners of my old house are executives that seem to have purchased the home for its proximity to downtown. They did not buy it for its historical value or its garden. I think there's a very, very good chance that your property will attract buyers who appreciate 100-year-old farmhouses and heirloom plants. Your place has that kind of magnetism. You could even offer to take a tour with the new owners to identify everything. I made that offer with my last garden. :-)

Even though my current garden is a postage stamp, I manage to grow about 70 roses. I grow them in ground and in pots. I grow them over and under, vertically and horizontally. I am eliminating all my grass. The remains are disappearing this summer. All that's left are either seating or bed areas. Someday, I'll post photos of my multi-layered, hodge-podge green space. It's amazing what can be crammed into microscopic patches of dirt with a shoehorn. I'm both a collector and designer, so I'm highly motivated to smash plants into any crack in the composition.

That's my abridged story. However, I've saved the most important piece for last. After a few years, I began to positively celebrate my small garden. I've learned to hone my values, to make choices and feel content with the results...and I live a more balanced life. The upkeep of my last garden was almost overwhelming at times. My current beds are a tangle of bohemian chaos, so who can see the weeds during periods of neglect? I culled out my highest maintenance roses and enjoy the ones I have more than ever. There are plants for all seasons, and each one is a special event. Really and truly, Patty. After the period of adjustment, I've never looked back. Ever.

Best wishes for your sale, purchase and move! Carol

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Comments (17)

ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
6 years ago
My only advice would be to be very careful in your selection of roses and companion plants, and to plant only those that you really love and can't live without. Ask for advice here about the roses that are most suitable for your new location, and keep records of desirable roses to plant in the future after you've accumulated enough advice and information about them.
patty57 thanked ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
jacqueline9CA
6 years ago
How small in plantable garden space, Patty? Where is it to be?

Jackie
patty57 thanked jacqueline9CA
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gagalzone8
6 years ago
Patty, my hubby and I downsized for over 3000 sq ft and 100 acres (we did sell some of the back acreage right before we sold the house, so actually 40 acres.) We moved to an 1800 sq ft home in a subdivision. The house does have a huge corner lot though. We moved all the small stuff and frankly, I didn't give a damn about the plants then...I was worn out..but later I was just sick over the perennials and other things I left. I wish I had taken the time to divide a few things. The house had been vacant for 3 years and we had to completely tear out the yard, just everything was a mess. I have only gotten seriously into roses in the last several years, though I did leave a New Dawn eating the horse barn at the old house...tee hee hee! (boy I sure made a mistake with that one!) I know that we are going to build in the country again (much smaller) but are staying put right now to help with the hubs ill sister. I have scoured this site to death for info about roses for my area. The people here and their real world experience kept me from buying some real losers. (I say that in the nicest way about disease resistance in our humid south) I am planting what I like because I have the room at this point, but I am avoiding the big ramblers and beast roses. I am also trying to be careful and not get any that are too heavily thorned..(is that a word?) anyway, I was extremely depressed when I moved, but as the weather warmed up, my yard fever kicked back in! Now I take the same pleasure in my smaller space as I did my large. The real kicker is that watering and chores aren't as bad AND I am not walking for miles to do something! lol
patty57 thanked gagalzone8
Claire8WA
6 years ago
Hi Patty

if you have a few acres you might look into 'renting' out part of it to a young person who is fired up about small farming. There are many such folks, and land prices being what they are, almost impossible for them to realize their dream. They could take care of the acreage as part of their rent, and you could stay in a place dear to you, with as much garden as you wish. I say this after moving when I was over 50, and then realizing how tough uprooting like that can be, not that we did not want to move, not that it is not better here in every way, but the change takes way more energy than I would have thought possible.

your mileage may vary

claire
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patty57
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for the responses.

Gagalzone8, We, too, have the barn, a couple of small pastures that are alone now; use to have a couple of horses for the girls to play around with. I planted about 8 heirloom apple trees in half of one when the horses left.

I know I will feel better downsizing the garden too as I am pretty much spread out with garden beds that has gotten a little too much for me. Only 60yo, but I feel I am on the other side now. For me, it's just an emotional thing to leave behind but this will surely pass with a new freshness when we get to the point of finding what we are looking for, but we have to sell this house first. We are not moving away, just a move locally. Something around 1500sq ft or less on approx an acre of land with some shade. Our summers are so hot!!

I'm hoping that this move will be towards the end of fall so that many plants will be going dormant and an easier move on them.

There are other garden treasures that I plan to take as I enjoy many perennials, bulbs etc that I think will be much easier to move than the roses.

I know which roses I'd like to take and what to leave behind, the Wichurana Ramblers for sure. Just won't have the space nor the desire for them anymore. I have some nice climbers as well, I'll see.

There are other garden treasures that I plan to take as I enjoy many
perennials, bulbs etc that I think will be much easier to move than the
roses.

I hope to read more of your stories and your moves. Looking for the next home, I look more at the yard than the house sometimes. We have always purchased a home and yard that needed fixing up, not this time. Done with that season of our lives.

Patty
patty57
Original Author
6 years ago
Claire,

I have always had that thought on the burner. I could easily do that as there is water back behind the barn and I have access to a local tobacco farmer who could turn the soil with one of his Ford tractors. But the house is old, did much work on it when we first purchased it and it continually is telling us it needs more. Yes, all houses need maintenance, but this and most old homes would be fine for a younger couple who want to keep it going. Cutting the grass is a 6 day a week job too. It's all just too much for my husband and I now and I am looking forward to a new and smaller home/yard. My garden will always bring me joy.

My original post was to read what others have done with this experience, just a move and how your garden played a part in that move.

Patty
gagalzone8
6 years ago
Patty, I certainly understand what you are saying. We were not looking for a fixer upper, but at that time, there just weren't many houses on the market that we felt would be a good investment. Plus, neither of us wanted to live in town or the CC. Of course, budget was a factor. We actually had to put in a sealed bid for the house. We had to do something because we had no where else to go! lol We had to stay in a motel for a week while the house was being redone. Now, we didn't go overboard, but it had old stained smelly carpet and horrid wallpaper. Just new flooring thoughout, new paint and countertops (laminate that was worn & torn out in places, toilets..just livable stuff. Certainly not high dollar finishes. We actually moved to a old established subdivision right on the edge of the city limits. Only a about 8 miles from our other house. We live about 2.5 miles from my elderly father in law and my sister in law. Her health is bad and has to have someone with her all the time and my hubby has her POA. I am on the other side of 50 and I did enjoy having horses, a few cows...the pond....but my only true complaint is I miss my privacy. I don't want to have to "visit" with people all the time...lol Kinda a hermit I guess!
patty57 thanked gagalzone8
mariannese
6 years ago
My husband and I are both 73 and we hope to stay in this place a few more years, a two bedroom house with a basement on a half acre lot that's worth much more than the house that will probably be demolished. Our children and grandchildren can use the money. We live in a very expansive village, now a commuters' suburb. We are 8 minutes by train from Sweden's largest airport. Most lots are subdivided, ours is only one of three still intact on the block. If we decide to sell we'll move to a smaller place and I think we'll make a very different garden next time and try not to look back. I already had a city garden and would like to try to make a small perfect and easy care garden again. My present garden is too large to be perfect, much as I love it. I will take few roses with me, only the old clone of New Dawn from the 40'ies because it is very good and perpetually in bloom, 2 or 3 HP's and bourbons but no old once-blooming roses, my old love. With little space I shall need roses that work for a long time, no grass and easy perennials. My husband is looking over my shoulder and laughing and doesn't believe a word I write. I am not so sure.
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gagalzone8
6 years ago
Patty the house we bought was extremely well built and that is what sold us. Heavy hardwood cabinets.. the house in the country club was particle board cabinets. I admit, I cried...memories at the other house, but grabbed myself by the bootsraps and took a deep breath...home is where You and your loved ones are. Granted, we feel a bit crowded at times and I desperately miss my closet. No I am not a clothes horse, but it was fabulous to just store thing in! I keep my Christmas decorations there! Storage here is a problem, but we manage. Did up some of your goodies, pot them up before you start showing the house. Get moved...then take your babies and start setting them around your new yard....moving them around...I miss my large established plants, but I had forgotten the fun of plugging in new plants and kinda designing... sure, it's kinda a hot mess, but hey, we can always move the plants again. Large homes and land take a lot of work and the horrible heat and humidity is terrible in S. Ga. Once you get past the sense off loss and sadness, you find how much freedom you didn't have! I was a slave to the bigger house and just didn't realize it. Power bilks, taxes, everything is so much cheaper. Like getting a raise! Lol. Girl I am trying to lift you up, because I have walked in your shoes a few years ago. My house isn't fancy, but neither am I!
patty57 thanked gagalzone8
User
6 years ago
Claire says."I say this after moving when I was over 50, and then realizing how
tough uprooting like that can be, not that we did not want to move, not
that it is not better here in every way, but the change takes way more
energy than I would have thought possible." I'm kind of relieved to read this. I can totally relate! There's no garden involved,neither at our old house or at the new, so that aspect I can't really address, but I think Claire is right about just the change alone taking up a LOT of energy. We've been in the new place 2 years now, but my former high energy level has not returned (yet?). True, I'm now 58, with a bum hip that is going to have to be replaced, and living with chronic pain saps away a lot of energy, too. But I also see that my DH , who used to go on LONG walks on a regular basis hasn't been much up for doing that. Not that I want to be discouraging! It's just that for me it's reassuring to hear that perhaps part of my own present lack of zip might be due in part to the process of adjustment (since apparently Claire has experienced this), not just getting older. 'Cause if I'm "old" at sixty, how will I make it to 100, lol!? I guess at some point my huge garden project will become "too much for me", but I hope that that day is still a LONG way away ,far, far into the future...Best wishes to all!
patty57 thanked User
barbarag_happy
6 years ago
I had over 200 roses when we lived in the country, including a massive Constance Spry which covered a 2-story trellis. I invited members of our rose club to help themselves, but a former president had just died and members collected ALL of his many many roses the year before. I now realize that I could have invited neighboring clubs (in central Ohio) and they probably would have come. They probably would have passed on Golden Wings and Dupontii; I had a lot of shrubs and OGR's there that were not in vogue with the ARS folks then.

I moved to Texas and planted roses in the few places where there was sun, and enjoyed them thoroughly. Mermaid, Lady Banks, Reve d'Or, Perle d'Or, a trio of Belinda's Dream. Lady Hillingdon thrived on my beautiful Brady's grave . Escapade hated Texas-- oh well!

Now I have another very small yard, the smallest yet. Few roses at home (under 30) and many of those are in pots. But I volunteer!! I am growing antique and modern roses at the arboretum and have also been working in the huge organic rose garden at the Virginia Zoo. I love having my addiction subsidized by the two cities!
patty57 thanked barbarag_happy
noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque)
6 years ago
Moving takes a lot of energy, and caring for cuttings and potted divisions can end up in being overwhelmed and frustrated while trying to pack/unpack and get settled. My advice to you would be to save your energy for those plants that are irreplaceable, and if you can buy nursery replacements for the more common things, that it is worth it. When I moved 5 years ago it wasn't a good season to move some plants and the new house gardens were not ready for new plants anyway. I regret not taking the Veronica tauricola and Dianthus leucophaeus with me. My old garden is now a dog run and I can't find replacements. I'm very glad that I moved my Spuria Iris 'Belize' even though it took a couple of years to recover, since it doesn't seem to be available anymore.
patty57 thanked noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque)
User
6 years ago
Excellent point, noseometer! I think I agree...
patty57
Original Author
6 years ago
Ah, I was waiting for your response Carol!! Reading your posts on the forum for years and following you and your garden, I almost knew I would connect to your response. Thank you kindly. This move, when it happens, will be refreshing when all the dusts settles.

Patty
Rosefolly
6 years ago
I think about this a lot. I am eager to do it. The size of the present property (2.7 acres) is exhausting me. We are in a potential wildfire zone so even the part that is not gardened has to be maintained. It is also a steep hill.

The house is meant for a large family. It is just the two of us now, plus which ever one of our children is currently going a rough transition and asks for temporary shelter. We are happy to provide this as my parents did for me in difficult times. I like space and privacy, so I don't want a small house. But a medium sized house would be make more sense for us than a large one at this point.

Not sure that it will ever happen. Inertia is a powerful force. If it ever does, I'll let all of you know. And ask advice about what roses would do well wherever it is that I land.

Rosefolly
Ken Wilkinson
6 years ago
When we moved to N.E. GA. from S.E. FL. back in 08, we went from 2,700 sq ft 3/2 on 1/3 acre lot to 1,250 sq ft 3/2 on 1/2 acre lot. I had about 160 roses of all kinds in FL. When I'm finished with my back partial shade bed I'll have 113 roses of all kinds. I have a lot more grass up here and I enjoy my yard very much. We also grow a lot of bulbs now that I couldn't even think about growing in FL. Getting use to a smaller house was a big challenge for both of us but after a couple of years everything in the house just fell into place. I'm much more comfortable in a smaller home and have found I really enjoy ALL of the gardening on our 1/2 acre. Back in 08 I wasn't so sure I made the right decision to move. Now that we have settled in real good, we are extremely happy and comfortable. I don't miss the Tropical Storms and Hurricanes one bit.

Please share your story when you moved to another home

portlandmysteryrose

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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9

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