Christmas Eve Garden Tour - Come Relax Crochet Podcast 177

Christmas Eve Garden Tour (Crochet Podcast 177): A Calm Backyard Reset

Christmas Eve can feel like a pressure cooker. There’s food to prep, things to clean, and about a thousand tiny details that suddenly seem urgent. I know I do it to myself, I put a lot of pressure on myself, anyone else? So in Crochet Podcast Episode 177, I decided to do something simple that actually helps: step outside for a Christmas Eve garden break.

Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, this is still a cozy little breather. I’m taking you around my patio, ponds, plants, bird feeders, and my tortoise crew, just to slow down for a few minutes and enjoy what’s growing.

Why I Take a Christmas Eve Garden Break

When the day is packed, going outside is the easiest reset button I have. No big plan, no perfect schedule. Just a walk, some fresh air, and a reminder that life is still happening outside the kitchen.

This channel is usually about yarn, crochet, and community, but today I wanted a different kind of comfort. It’s still the same vibe though. Quiet, friendly, and a place to land when your day feels loud.

If you’re in the mood for a quick holiday crochet project after the tour, I have a festive decoration on the blog: DIY Evergreen Garland with Berries for Christmas

My Cozy Patio Setup (Built for Real Life)

The tour starts right on my outdoor patio. I call it mine because I built it. It’s made from 2-inch bar and 1-inch bar, and it’s tucked into a corner where it feels sheltered and private.

I also rigged up a cover using a tablecloth and strong magnets to hold it in place, mainly because wind is not my friend. It’s simple, but it works, and it makes the patio feel like a usable space, not just “outside.”

On the patio I have:

• A little seating area for hanging out
• My dining room table moved outdoors, because breakfast, lunch, or dinner outside is just better

The dogs always steal the scene

Of course, the dogs are part of the tour.

Dingo is here, being adorable and also trying to drink from the fish pond (which she loves for some reason). She also gives us a proud demonstration of being a “good pee outside” dog, which made me laugh because yes, we celebrate the small wins.

Ricco is also out, wearing a cone because he had his dew claws removed. He’s cute without the cone, but he’s also cute with it, and he’s got a few more days to go.

And then there’s Mabel, barking in the background. Mabel doesn’t get along with people, so during the day she can’t be out in the yard like the others. She has her own area.

Fish Ponds and Tanks (From Kiddie Pool to Guppy City)

One of my favorite parts of the yard is how many “kid things” became “garden things.”

The 2,000-liter fish pond (formerly the kids’ pool)

What used to be the kids’ swimming pool is now a 2,000-liter fish pond. The kids are too big for it now, so I turned it into something we all still use, just differently.

It’s full of guppies. Fancy guppies, but really, guppies are guppies. I think I bought 180, and when you see how many there are now… look how many there are! It’s a lot.

The only issue is that Dingo is obsessed with “fish water,” so we have to reduce the water level to keep the dogs from drinking it.

If you like the idea of backyard ponds and you’re curious about the basics (plants, placement, simple planning), this is a helpful resource: Water gardens basics from UF/IFAS Extension

Tang’s terrapin tank (plus guppies)

Tang has a terrapin. His tank is out here too, and yes, there are guppies in there as well (that’s what got me started on guppies in the first place).

I tried adding a floating platform to see if the terrapin would hop up and use it, but he doesn’t, so I’ll take it out. Still, valid effort.

For terrapin care info from a reputable animal welfare org, here’s a solid overview: RSPCA guide to terrapin care

The “ditch fish” tank (baby tilapia)

Then there’s my “ditch fish,” which is exactly what it sounds like. They’re from the ditch, and apparently they’re tilapia. Baby tilapias, swimming around in what I think is a 500-liter tank.

I still laugh at the idea of tilapia growing in a ditch, but here we are.

Bird feeders everywhere

I also have multiple bird feeders set up around the garden. At one point in the walk I’m counting them out loud because there are more than you expect: one, two, three, and four (and then later, two more show up along the path).

The Berm Garden (Lush Plants on Top of a Problem Spot)

One of the most useful “make it pretty” projects in my yard is my berm. There’s something like a septic tank underneath, so we boxed it in, made it cute, and planted on top.

Now it’s a lush, layered garden bed, and it’s also where I film thumbnails for tutorials. If you’ve watched for a while, you’ve probably seen that spot without realizing it’s basically the top of a disguised utility situation.

A plant that turned into a whole landscape

There’s a tree bush that was here when we moved in, but it was covered in weeds. Once we cleared it out, it turned out to be one massive plant stretching about 4 meters, plus we took a baby off it and planted it nearby. Same plant, two places, both thriving.

I love that kind of garden story. It’s already there, it just needs a little help.

Flowers the bees love (and a pruning problem)

There are plants on the berm that make hanging flowers the bees love. One blooms orange, another blooms white.

There’s also a tree that might need pruning because it’s blocking sunlight from reaching the berm. The tricky part is that the tree comes from one base, with multiple branches shooting up, so I have to think it through before I start chopping.

Swing seating that’s actually practical

I have a swing up here too. I do have cushions, but cushions are high-maintenance in real life. You drag them in and out every time it rains, and I’m not doing that.

So I fold up a blanket and use that instead. It dries, it folds, and it doesn’t get dramatic.

My trampoline “treehouse” idea

There’s also an archway from Mir’s first swing. In my head, I can picture a toddler or small kid trampoline wedged in between the branches, like an instant treehouse. I’m keeping my eyes open for a medium-small trampoline that could fit.

Fence, Privacy Plants, and All My Favorite Colors

I love a garden that feels lush and private, and a lot of that comes down to what’s planted along the edges.

Bougainvillea and honeysuckle (my favorite combo)

The fence used to be bricks, but now it’s bougainvillea and honeysuckle, and it’s getting extremely lush. Hot pink bougainvillea with orange honeysuckle is my favorite combination, and yes, it’s also my favorite color of yarn. That bright, punchy pink gets me every time.

Magumo (mumo) trees and my “Christmas tree” tree

I have a magumo (I also say mumo) tree that I planted about a month ago, maybe six weeks. I’m seeing growth starting in some spots, so I’m hopeful.

I also have a second one still in its “construction bag” pot (that’s what they use here). I want to put it into a bigger pot, but I haven’t done it yet.

There’s also a big tree I call my Christmas tree, even though it’s not a Christmas tree. It’s just as close as we get here. I’ve never decorated it, but I keep thinking about it.

Jacaranda dreams (purple flowers… eventually)

I also have a jacaranda, the kind that makes purple flowers, but I’ve been told it takes about 10 years to flower. That is a long wait, so it’s officially a long-term commitment plant.

Monkey tree, cordia shade, and hibiscus overload

We planted what I call a “monkey tree,” because I’ve heard the slang name comes from the thorns that keep monkeys from climbing it. It should have thorns going all the way up, and it makes pink flowers that remind me of Alberta roses.

Along the edge of the car park, I planted cordia trees to bring shade, and it’s working. They have nice big leaves, and the shady ground underneath looks so good.

And then there’s hibiscus. I love hibiscus. I have multiple hibiscus plants in different shades, and my favorite is still that pink and orange combo.

Some of the purple-flowering plants out here remind me of African violets, but in tree form. Like giant, reach-as-high-as-I-can-reach violets, which makes me happy every time I see them.

The Soccer Net Area (Because Tortoises Are Chaos)

We made a flattened trough-like area for the soccer net, but we’re still waiting for the grass to really come in. It feels slow, but it’s getting there.

The soccer net has to stay up for a funny reason: the tortoises walk into it. So the net fits into this little zone, and I’m letting hibiscus grow toward it so it becomes a more enclosed, easier-to-play space. Less chasing the ball, more actual soccer.

The Lemon Tree That Looks Miserable

I have a lemon tree that just doesn’t look happy. If you’re a plant person, you might already know what’s wrong.

My best guess is the dogs are peeing on it, which is… sadly likely.

If you’re troubleshooting plants in general, this is a practical starting point: UF/IFAS guide to basic garden plant care

Pots, Path Edging, and Random Garden Wins

Around the patio and walkway I have a mix of plants and practical choices:

• A privacy plant I don’t know the name of, but I like how it blocks the view
• Mother-in-law tongue edging the sidewalk
• Some pretty pots that I haven’t planted yet, so I use them to hide soccer balls from the dogs (because yes, dogs will eat soccer balls)

Meet My Tortoise Crew

This garden isn’t just plants and ponds, it’s also tortoises.

Marvin is my most friendly female tortoise. I call her Marvin because I thought she was a boy. She’s old, she’s confident, and she’s laid a bunch of eggs.

I also say hello to Rico while we’re walking, and later you’ll spot Louise, my other leopard tortoise.

And then there’s Oscar, our resident male. He’s the daddy for all the tortoises.

If you’re curious about tortoises in outdoor spaces, this article is an interesting read: Tortoises in the garden (Dave’s Garden)

The Shady Walking Path (Ponds, Feeders, and Surprise Plants)

We put down small stones (I call them bizaras) to create a walking path, and it runs under the shade so you can loop around and peek into the ponds as you go.

Along the way there’s:

• More bird feeders
• Another pond with a center rock where the turtle can climb up and bake in the sun
• A little spot to sit and relax between the trees

The “old Egyptian scale” and the little details

There’s also an old scale out here that I’ve heard is an old Egyptian scale. I don’t know if that’s true, but I like it, so it stays.

The plant that grew overnight (well, eight days)

One of the strangest things on the path is this plant that went from a little twisty “troll haircut” puff to a tall, dramatic burst in about eight days while I was on holiday. I don’t even know what it is. It feels like soft grass, and there’s more popping up nearby, like it’s making friends.

Giant palm seed pods (and my Medusa treasure)

There are also big palm trees with massive seed pods. When one fell down it sounded like a crash, and I thought a dog might have gotten hurt.

The pods are huge, like driftwood clusters. One was a curly, crispy shape that I loved so much I kept it and stuck it in a plant pot. It reminds me of Medusa’s hair, and now I kind of wish I had two so each matching pot could have one.

Looking Back at How Much the Garden Has Changed

As I finish the loop, I’m thinking about how different this garden looks compared to when we first moved in. If you go back a few years in the podcast, you’d barely recognize it.

It didn’t happen overnight, it happened one small project at a time. A pond here, a shade tree there, clearing weeds, planting along the fence, figuring out what works, and then adjusting when it doesn’t.

If you want to see how this whole crochet-and-life thing started for me, this is the very first podcast post on the blog: The Secret Yarnery Crochet Podcast (Episode 1)

Conclusion

This Christmas Eve garden tour was my reminder that even a packed day can hold a quiet moment. A walk past the ponds, a check-in with the dogs, a hello to the tortoises, and a look at what’s blooming helps me breathe again. If you were here with me, I’d love to know where you’d sit first, the patio table, the swing, or the shady path. Thanks for spending a little calm time with me, and from my backyard to yours, merry Christmas, happy new year, and stay hooked.

FAQs

What is Crochet Podcast Episode 177 about?

Episode 177 is a calm Christmas Eve garden tour. I walk around my patio, ponds, plants, bird feeders, and tortoises. It is a quiet reset when the day feels busy.

What kind of fish are in the big pond?

The 2,000-liter pond is full of guppies. It used to be a kids’ pool, but now it is “guppy city.”

Why do you lower the pond water level?

Because Dingo loves drinking “fish water.” Lowering the water level helps keep the dogs out of it.

What is the berm garden and why did you build it?

The berm is a raised garden bed built to cover an awkward spot (something like a septic tank underneath). It makes the area look pretty, gives me a lush filming backdrop, and turns a problem area into a feature.

What plants do you grow along the fence for privacy?

I use plants like bougainvillea and honeysuckle to create a lush, private fence line. I also have other privacy plants in pots and along the edges to block views.

What is the “Christmas tree” tree?

It is a big tree in the yard that I call my Christmas tree, even though it is not a real Christmas tree. It is just the closest thing I have to one here.

Why is the soccer net area part of the tortoise setup?

The tortoises walk into the net, so it stays up. The area is still filling in with grass, and I am letting hibiscus grow toward it to make the space more enclosed.

Why does the lemon tree look unhealthy?

My best guess in the post is dog pee. If you want, I can add a short “common causes” list (watering, drainage, pests, nutrients, dog damage) without overcomplicating it.

Who are the tortoises in the video?

You will meet Marvin (a friendly female I originally thought was a boy), Rico, Louise (another leopard tortoise), and Oscar (the male).

Christa Patel is the creator of The Secret Yarnery, a cozy corner of the internet for crocheters who want clear tutorials, friendly community, and projects that feel doable. She shares crochet tips, patterns, and podcast-style catch-ups that blend yarn life with real life, including the occasional backyard garden break.

When she is not crocheting, Christa is usually outside checking on her plants, fish ponds, bird feeders, dogs, and her tortoise crew. Her content is all about slowing down, making things with your hands, and finding small pockets of calm in a busy day.

Find more from Christa at secretyarnery.com and on YouTube at The Secret Yarnery.