Like many children, Toni Border enjoyed being outside, digging in the dirt. As an adult, that hasn’t changed at all.

When she was house hunting in Mineola four years ago, she was attracted to a light-brown brick cottage at 804 N. Newsom, not only for the house’s curb appeal, but for its manageably-sized lot. She envisioned  the charming rock playhouse in back becoming a potting shed. With changes already in mind, she accepted the challenges involved in bringing back the property’s beauty.

The azaleas and canna lilies urgently needed resuscitation, since the house had sat vacant for some time. In the backyard, Toni was surprised to see lush greenery and rock walls revealed once masses of vines and weeds were removed.

She prefers light, bright colors, so she set to work making the shallow front yard a delightful introduction to her home. Bright yellows and oranges, mixed liberally with white, offer a cheerful welcome. Rocks fronting the beds surround white crinum lilies, orange canna lilies, white lantana, yellow cosmos, white iris, nandina and white yarrow.

Toni composts kitchen and yard waste and recently found a pumpkin growing in the pile. She also uses a makeshift water catchment system to supplement her garden’s water supply.

Bird houses and feeders are tucked into ideal spots, luring birds to the garden. She likes using flowers that appeal to bees and butterflies. Pots contain a variety of herbs, garlic and chives, along with mint given by a friend. A gazing ball and pelican yard art invite a closer look.

When she’s not weeding, pruning, planting and watering, Toni is thinking ahead. She plans to add marigolds to the beds for their happy colors and would like to improve the front lawn with some sod. Another goal is to add a water feature to the backyard some day. A gardener’s work is never done.

Fannie Marchman Garden Club of Mineola presents the Border home as the June Yard of the Month.