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A 24-Acre Conway, South Carolina Dream Yard

by Exmark

Want to experience a 24-acre family dream yard and farm just a stone’s throw from Myrtle Beach? Join landscape architect, author, and Dream Yards host Bill Slack as he travels to one of the oldest towns in the state for a visit with Andrew and Jamie Ridge and their Conway, South Carolina dream yard.

Family Comes First

Andrew says that the inspiration for their dream yard can be found all around the property: from the man-made inlet that flows into the local river, to the 157 pecan trees they maintain and harvest—an orchard which he plans to add 125 peach trees to, so he can have a crop in both the spring and fall. However, the ultimate inspiration behind their dream yard is their desire to have land for their boys to be able to play, grow up, and live on as they grow older. He says that, one day, he dreams of his boys taking over the farm, building houses, and raising their own families on the same land—turning this dream yard into a multigenerational endeavor.

Talking to their boys, Andrew asks them what they both enjoy most about living on so much land. Their eldest, Layton, says that he enjoys being able to ride on his boat with his friends in the inlet and connected river. With it, he’s able to ride around to get lunch and come home at the end of the day to enjoy the beauty of the orchard. Their youngest, Joseph, loves to ride his dirt bike all around the property and fish with his family.

Weathering the Storm

Two years ago, downtown Conway was flooded during one of the frequent—and nasty—hurricanes that the east coast has experienced over the last few years, and this flooding included the Ridge family’s property. During this time, they had to live with Jamie’s father for two weeks and check on their property once or twice a day to make sure everything was alright—a testament to the dedication the Ridges have to their dream yard.

Because of this experience, they built the Morton Building—a home away from home on their property—giving them another place to stay and monitor their primary residence in case Mother Nature decides to be at her worst again. It also provides them another avenue of enjoying the outdoors, giving their kids a great space to hang out with their friends, while providing even more space for cookouts with friends and family.

Acres By The Dozen

Between raising two boys, working full time, and having to care for an orchard full of pecan—and soon to be peach—trees, the Ridges definitely have their work cut out for them. That’s why they use their Exmark zero-turn mower to help maintain their land. And, when they don’t have the time to mow it themselves, they enlist the help of Mr. O’Brien at Apex Landscaping—and their own fleet of Exmark zero-turns—to help get the job done and keep their dream yard pristine.

Wild About Wildlife

When asked about what their biggest draw was to become rural landowners, Jamie attributes it to their love for wildlife. And, with so much land, there’s certainty plenty of flora and fauna to be found. At the end of the day, however, the entire Ridge family loves to be outside. From boating to fishing, dirt biking to archery, or caring for their expansive orchard, they like to live their backyard life outdoors and to the fullest.

Now that you’ve had a taste of an ultimate dream yard, what will yours look like?

Gardening for Your Mental Health

by Exmark

With the world finally breaking free of a historic pandemic, mental health is being talked about more than ever. In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults experienced mental health issues in 2020. That’s why, in this Backyard Life video, landscape designer and Done-In-A-Weekend Projects host Doug Scott is at legendary coach Vince Dooley’s Athens, Georgia garden. He’s there with several gardening ideas that’ll help give your mental health a much-needed boost.

Doug Scott talks about gardening health benefits

Health Benefits of Gardening

The positive impacts of gardening are quite nearly endless, especially when it comes to our mental and physical health. These benefits, too, fall into two main categories: “active” and “passive.”

  • Active benefits: Active benefits are all about getting to work and doing something in your garden. This helps you clear your mind while getting your hands dirty. Gardening, and similar physical activity outside, does your body wonders. Studies show that increased exposure to the outdoors leads to fewer long-term health problems, helping improve cardiovascular fitness, as well as flexibility, strength, and dexterity—all leading to better mental health. We also tend to get an emotional boost when interacting with plants. Gardening helps foster our nurturing instincts and restores senses of hope and purpose, ultimately improving our self-esteem.
  • Passive benefits: Conversely, passive benefits are about simply being in nature or an outdoor space, providing a positive distraction from stresses in your life. There’s scientific evidence proving that just being in nature has a positive impact on our stress levels and brain chemistry. Gardening also helps you “feel alive,” letting you take your mind off of work, while giving you a new sense of purpose outside of the daily grind. Though it might seem cliché, you’re able to develop a deeper connection to nature, creating a deeper sense of belonging.

Gardening By Your Senses

As Doug tells his design clients, “it’s so important to create a yard and garden that reflect how you want to live outside.” That’s why he recommends designing your mental health garden according to your five senses.

  • Sight: The simple sight of a breathtaking array of plants, an arrangement of your favorite flowers, or interesting objects in your garden is bound to give your mental health a boost.
  • Taste: Growing your own fruits and veggies will provide you an incredibly rewarding harvest, in more ways than one. Not only are you able to enjoy the produce you have grown for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you get the personal satisfaction of a job well done.
  • Hearing: Among the plants and flowers, you’re able to add fixtures (such as wind chimes and water features) that’ll produce soothing, stress-relieving sounds. And that’s not to mention the bird song you can enjoy due to the new habitats you’ve created.
  • Touch: Just the process of getting dirty and planting your own flowers provides a huge boost to your mental health. From the light, feathery textures of flower pedals, to the rough surfaces of tree bark or bush stems, touch goes a long way in giving you a deeper sense of connection to your garden. This all ties back to a combination of active and passive benefits. These help you further establish a deeper sense of purpose.
  • Smell: Memory care facilities actually use aromatherapy to counter common dementia behaviors. Smells can help relive forgotten and happy memories associated with them. Consider adding fragrant flowers and herbs to your garden, so you can literally “stop to smell the roses.”

Designing Your Mental Health Garden

When designing a garden, Doug likes to create “rooms” connected by meandering paths that let you get away from it all. These rooms provide mini spaces that you can retreat to, so you can rest, unwind, and feel restored.

However, your outdoor spaces don’t always need to be quiet and sedentary. If you enjoy being outside with others, creating gathering spaces in your yard is a great idea. And, if you have a hobby that can be done outdoors—like exercising, painting, or writing—you can create spaces to do just that.

Doug stresses that you shouldn’t get ahead of yourself and start creating a ginormous garden right off the bat. He recommends starting small, simple, and stress-free, and to grow your garden out from there. So, get to gardening today—your mental health will be better off because of it.

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Family Dream Yard in Rural Florida

by Exmark

Want to see a 10-acre family dream yard in rural Florida? Come alongside veteran landscape designer and Dream Yards host Jane Waldrop as she travels to Clermont, FL. Visiting with owner, Steve Ebanks for a first-hand look at the family love that went into creating this amazing property.

Built for Family and Rural Living

From a screened-in pool/putting green and Morton outbuilding to Pretty Lake, an orchard and shooting range, Steve’s dream yard was inspired by his family’s desire to connect and play—and his own desire to lead a rural lifestyle when they’re away.

As Jane’s visit concluded, Steve commented on how his Exmark Lazer Z has helped make this family dream yard a reality—and given him time back that he uses to cut his neighbors’ yards, from time to time!

Now that you’ve had a glimpse, what will your dream yard look like?

A 24-Acre Ohio American Pride Dream Yard

by Exmark

Want to experience a 24-acre Ohio estate whose dream yard (and owners) epitomize American pride? Come along with us as we travel to Zanesville, OH—the second capital of Ohio and the city also known as the “Y Bridge City.” We visit an all-American dream yard and meet the minds behind the property: owners Ryan and Lindsay Dodson.

American Pride on Full Display

Ryan and Lindsay had been searching for the “ideal yard” when they found the 24-acre property they live on now. They wanted something that offered them plenty of room, and Ryan wanted a yard of his own to mow after working in the landscaping business for years. And that’s just what they found in this all-American dream yard!

Although their property includes an impressive residence, ponds, orchard, workshop, pool (a summertime favorite), and outdoor kitchen, the Dodsons’ favorite amenity is the gorgeous property views their American flag’s focal points look over. They love watching the sunsets from right beside their flag. And the American flag installation is really the star of the show.

Their American flag isn’t just made from your standard gravel or landscaping rocks. To make the centerpiece of their acreage sing, Ryan and Lindsay made the installation using beautiful crushed glass and a steel frame that ensures it stays where it belongs for years to come. 

When the sun hits the installation the crushed glass sparkles. And when the sun goes down? There are lights below the glass that carry on the sparkling light show well into the night. It’s like the Fourth of July every day on the Dodson’s property. 

As our visit concluded, Ryan acknowledged the all-important role Exmark has played in maintaining his family’s dream yard—and growing their retail power equipment business.

Now that you’ve had a taste, what will your dream yard look like?

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An Iconic Athens, GA Garden Dream Yard

by Exmark

In October of 2022, Coach Dooley passed away at the age of 90. He was one of our favorite collaborators and his garden now serves as a powerful testament to his tremendous legacy—and one of his family’s greatest memories and connections to him.

Want to meet a college-football coaching icon—and tour his iconic backyard garden? Looks like you’re in luck! Join veteran landscape designer and Dream Yards host Jane Waldrop as she travels to “The Classic City” for a once-in-a-lifetime visit with Coach Vince Dooley and his wife, Barbara.

From the Gridiron to the Garden

For over 20 years, Coach Dooley led the University of Georgia football team, winning over 200 games during his historic career. However, when the Dooleys arrived in Athens 57 years ago, they couldn’t have dreamed that this would become their dream home. They’ve been fortunate to expand over the years, creating the perfect space for their kids—and now grandkids—to play.

When asked about his inspiration, Coach Dooley admits that, early on, he had very little outside the football field. He slept, ate, and breathed football, with Barbara joking that he “didn’t know a leaf from a petal or a stem.”

It wasn’t until Coach Dooley retired that he admitted to being “bitten by the horticulture bug.” He started taking college courses, which helped him jump into a whole new world. Since then, Coach has amassed the most diverse collection of rare plants Dream Yards has ever toured.

A Dream Backyard Garden

Regardless of where the Dooleys’ backyard get-togethers begin, they all conclude at the same place—their garden. Coach loves to stroll through his near-endless garden, which features a creek lined by all manner of weeping plants that he has lovingly dubbed “Weeper’s Creek.”

And, when asked about her favorite part, Barbara says that she can’t get enough of their back porch. She built it to be able to sit outside with loved ones and enjoy the best nature has to offer. Their yard also boasts a beautiful koi pond that was struck by a humorous bit of misfortune a few years ago. Coach Dooley chopped down a few trees around the pond, resulting in a blue heron making a quick meal out of his prized fish.

Family Togetherness

Over everything else, the values and inspiration behind how the Dooleys crafted their dream yard were all fueled by one common theme: family togetherness. Barbara says that the most important thing is family, and nothing makes her happier than being able to have them over to enjoy their backyard spaces together.

Before departing, Coach thanked Doug and John Howard and their team at Howard Brothers Outdoor Power Equipment. They went above and beyond, equipping him with an Exmark Lazer Z riding mower —and its custom UGA seat!

Now that you’ve had a taste, what will your dream yard look like?

A Multi-Generational Dream Yard in the Heart of Georgia

by Exmark

Want to experience an 80-acre, multi-generational dream yard just north of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta?

Join veteran landscape designer and Dream Yards host Jane Waldrop as she travels to Cumming, GA for a visit with Greenfield Farm owners, Chad and Stephanie Powell, to explore all their beautiful farm has to offer.

Family Comes First

Regardless of the amenity—from the multi-generational homes and stables to the tennis court, amphitheater, and event facilities—this dream yard reflects the Powells’ deep desire to create an environment that provides refuge, hope and joy for their family and their community alike.

Their family is the most important thing to them and is what led them to creating Greenfield Farm. Chad’s parents grew up in small town Illinois and that inspired himself and Stephanie. The farm reflects the significance of community in their lives and gives their loved ones a central gathering place with boundless opportunities for enjoyment and time spent together.

The Powells describe their dream yard as “a big, grownup playground” which is clear when you see the amphitheater, tennis courts, and gorgeous fire pits. There’s no shortage of places for folks of all ages to take a load off and enjoy themselves. Grandparents, parents, and children alike can find entertainment all over the farm; what’s more multi-generational than that?

Three Words to Describe Their Dream Yard

They live by three words on their multi-generational dream yard; “love, charm, and hospitality” and their space certainly shows that with its expansive fields, beautiful features, and the Southern charm apparent in every bit of architecture.

Chad gives credit to the Nantz Landscaping team for their hard work in maintaining this multi-generational dream yard —and using Exmark products to keep all 80 acres of Greenfield Farm in tip-top shape! It’s how they’re able to keep their horses and humans alike happy.

Now that you’ve had a taste, what will your dream yard look like?

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