Spring Lake Garden Club’s November Yard of the Month features a handsome new home on the west end of Belvin Street, blocks from the more familiar heritage district near downtown. November’s winner — the residence of Casidy and Esther Williams Henk — dates from spring 2012, when the Henks received the keys to a house built by volunteers working weekends with the San Marcos chapter of Habitat for Humanity, including Esther and their two children (then ages 12 and 14).
At that time, Casidy was serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, but returned home for two weeks’ leave, during which time he reconnected with his family, landscaped the front yard, laid a paver patio in the back yard and prepared to return to duty. Meanwhile, Esther arranged their move into the new house before Casidy’s return and planned an open house after the presentation of homeowner keys. Now with kids out of the nest, Casidy and Esther still enjoy the home that reflects so much of their hard work.
Casidy represents a fourth generation of Hays County settlers, and one notable yard item is an antique tractor purchased by his great-grandfather in 1947 in San Marcos. Like any serious gardener (and descendant of farmers), Casidy first prepared the soil for planting, incorporating pecan mulch and turkey litter in beds near the house to ensure that transplanted Mountain Laurels would thrive. The beds, edged with large rectangular stones, are filled with colorful yellow lantana, blue plumbago, red turk’s cap, and the showy white flowers of vinca or petunias. A thick stand of lime green lemon grass contrasts with flower blooms in a bed below the front porch. A second bed under a towering oak near the street holds native multicolored lantana along with more white vinca and yellow fall flowers.
