Belvin Street home built by Habitat for Humanity is November Yard of the Month

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.

Plants are nourished by the soil rather than artificial fertilizer, and Casidy notes that several iron horseshoes and cattle horns are buried in one bed, so both iron and calcium are available to new plantings. The two large oak trees on the property provide just enough mottled shade to temper summer sunshine, and the only pesticide used is Sevin Dust. All planting beds are thoroughly covered with cedar mulch to deter weeds. Casidy moved a clump of irises from beside the house to a sunnier spot near the street where they are thriving and will spread.

Esther added a large pot of ferns in a corner beside the front steps, as well as several containers of arrowroot vine (nephthytis or syngonium) on tall metal shelves on the front porch. The perfect place to relax at the end of a long day, the porch is furnished with sturdy red lounge chairs under a ceiling fan, which discourages any mosquitoes. Eleanor continues her career (now 19 years) serving at San Marcos’ popular Cafe on the Square, and Casidy, now retired from the military, also works in San Marcos. They both enjoy finding antique farm implements for yard art at their home, and Esther promises that once the old tractor is refurbished and “parade ready,” they hope to include it in San Marcos outdoor celebrations.

The Henk home was the third of five Habitat for Humanity houses built in this block of Belvin Street between 2010 and 2013, and all were sited to retain the grove of large oaks native to the original property. Built by volunteer labor and the “sweat equity” of owners, all these homes show creative landscaping and front porches ready for relaxation and hospitality.