Living In Paradise
Golds' 'green' thumbs reap rewards
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
Considered empty-nesters, Ralph and Vicki Gold have found more time to devote to their yard since their three children are grown.

Favorite Spot Ralph and Vicki Gold sit in one of their favorite spots in the back yard overlooking the pool in a tropical setting. "We love sitting out in the morning and having coffee or in the evening relaxing with a fire in the chimenea," Vicki said. "It is a very tranquil atmosphere." Also pictured with the couple is their Shiatsu Maxx, who loves to chase the squirrels that come to the nearby feeder. It is both entertaining for Maxx, as well as the Golds. Contributed Photo

"Now that our children are out of the house we have time to spend in our yard," Vicki said.

An oasis of color, conversation areas and a swimming pool make their backyard a perfect tropical retreat. The front yard is equally appealing and that is why El Campo Garden Club members Evelyn Martin and Janel Taylor chose the Golds' for May Yard of the Month honors. Their home is located at 2305 Hutchins Lane.

"We were very excited and honored to be chosen yard of the month," Ralph said.

Over the course of the past 24 years, the Golds' yard has been transformed.

"Through the years we have made many changes and have taken notice of plants that thrive in areas of shade and sun in our yard," Ralph said. "This year we have combined a mix of blooming plants intermingled with the shrubs."

The Golds do the majority of the yard work with occasional seasonal help.

"We both work together, mowing, trimming and watering," she said. "Blooming plants do take a lot of pampering, trimming of dead leaves, clipping and pinching the roses and fertilizing."

But when plants don't thrive, the Golds replace it with another type of plant.

"In the past we have replaced a sick plant with the same plant, but now we do more research and try new plants in troubled areas," Ralph said. "Vicki's grandmother, Albina Rod, always had a green thumb and Vicki's mother always says that she takes after her."

While some plants are purchased, there are some the couple acquired from relatives and friends.

"We have a few sentimental plants in our back yard," he said.

One such plant is a yucca the couple uprooted for their move from Houston back to El Campo in 1983 to raise their family. This plant helps to carry out the tropical atmosphere around the pool.

"In the backyard we have various palm trees, tropical plants and large pots that Ralph brought back from the Valley in 2002 while on one of his hunting trips to Mexico," Vicki said.

In addition to the tropical plants, the couple have incorporated such flowering plants as impatiens, vincas, petunias, begonias, lilies, geraniums, dianthus, zinnia and more.

"The purple mega dianthus, our new addition to the yard, was a suggestion of Becca Socha. She suggested to put them in the front yard and accent them with white alyssum. In the past we planted yellow lantana in its place and the lantana just would not grow there. The mega dianthus have just multiplied in the front yard," Vicki said.

We also have a schefflera that we were given after Ralph's dad's funeral in 1991 called George and another plant we received after his brother's funeral in 2004

Another sentimental plant is a palm that also has a name.

"We refer to it as E.J. after Vicki's grandfather E.J. Mills," he said. "All these plants seem to flourish, especially the schefflera that we just cut off and stick in the ground. It just grows and grows. We often talk about these plants, reminding us of our loved ones."

The couple especially enjoy relaxing in the back yard because of its tranquil and tropical setting. But they also find gardening offers some stress relief.

"And we love going outside to water in the evening," she said. "We have a lush backyard with queen palms, knock out roses, oleanders, bottle brushes, Bird of Paradise, variegated ginger, azaleas, crepe myrtles, sago palms, pygmy palms, an orchid tree, irises, hibiscus, purple fountain grass and various blooming plants. We also have a squirrel feeder that entertains both of us and Maxx."