Four years ago, Sue Shea stood on the deck of her new southwest Lawrence home and saw a bare back yard with one mature shade tree, a broken-down fence and endless potential. Today, there’s not one inch of the property that hasn’t been lovingly tended by Sue or her husband, Pat.

The green-thumbed do-it-yourselfers started slowly, repairing the fence and creating the “hardscape” of the back yard — a tree ring, patio and edging all created from rocks Pat collected on frequent trips to the country. The tree became the centerpiece of the yard and provided the perfect light conditions for hostas, impatiens and other shade-loving plants. Pat crafted benches out of old barn wood for the sun-dappled seating area.

Sue Shea's garden is filled with both annuals and perennials, as well as decorative pieces including this glazed pot turned fountain.

During the second summer at their new home, the Sheas added their first pond, despite relentlessly wet conditions that made digging labor-intensive. But the results proved satisfying and, like many pond owners, the couple decided to expand their waterworks the following year adding an upper pond and stream.

Meanwhile, a variety of perennials were going into multiple beds providing an ever-changing rainbow of color. Fresh crops of annuals, which Sue calls “the costume jewelry of the garden,” are planted every year to fill in nooks and crannies.

Never satisfied, the Sheas have added more footage and features to their back yard and will be included on the Lawrence Water Garden Society’s annual tour in June.

This week, “Home & Away” will show an encore presentation of the Sheas’ back yard.

A new show airs at 6:30 p.m. each Monday on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 and repeats at 9:30 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m., 5:30 p.m., 9 p.m. Tuesday; 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 10:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. Saturday.

– Cathy Hamilton is host of Sunflower Broadband’s “Home & Away.”

The Sheas' garden includes a two-tier pond with a stream linking the two ponds, which features aquatic plants and goldfish.

Benches and chairs take a backseat to the hundreds of plants in the Sheas' garden, but the family often hosts parties in the blossoming back yard.