When Trey Myers and his family moved back to Isle of Hope from Nashville six years ago, they knew they had found home. For Myers, the neighborhood’s unmanicured charm—where sidewalks are few and streetlights scarce—is part of its magic. “It’s not gated, but it feels secluded,” he said. “It’s a perfect place for our four boys to explore.”

During the early days of the pandemic, Myers decided to make the most of their outdoor space and build what he calls their “apocalypse garden”—a project born from both necessity and vision. With three friends and plenty of free time, he spent three months turning part of the yard into a productive, peaceful retreat that draws the eye toward the water.

The garden includes 768 square feet of raised beds—each four-by-eight feet, spaced for comfort and utility. Myers is intentional about every inch, from soil quality to accessibility. “I space the beds 18 inches and 3 feet apart to allow room for wheelbarrows and a place to kneel or sit while working,” he said.

Manual watering was one regret. “Drip or spray irrigation would’ve saved time and water from the start,” he admitted. Despite the workload, he's expanding: another bed will soon be added to grow corn and other row crops.

While his sons weren’t quite the gardening crew he hoped for—thanks to packed schedules and young ages—Myers has no regrets. With help from a few pros and a deep love for the land, he’s cultivated more than vegetables: he’s grown something meaningful in the heart of Isle of Hope.