To find the area of the garden shown in the images, we can follow these steps:

1. Observe the Layout: The garden is divided into squares, with each square representing a 1 ft by 1 ft area.
2. Count the Squares: Since each square is 1 square foot, counting the total number of squares in the outlined area will give the area in square feet.

Upon examining the garden shape:

• I counted a total of 18 squares within the outlined shape.
• Since each square is 1 square foot, the area of the garden is: $18 \text{ square feet}$

Answer: The correct choice is $D. \, 18 \text{ square feet}$.

Would you like further details, or do you have any other questions?

Here are some additional questions you might explore based on this problem:

1. How would the area change if each square represented 2 ft by 2 ft instead?
2. How could you calculate the perimeter of this irregular shape?
3. If the garden were extended by adding two more rows of squares to the top, what would the new area be?
4. What if each square represented a different measurement, like 0.5 ft by 0.5 ft? How would that affect the area calculation?
5. How would the area change if we added an identical shape adjacent to it?

Tip: For irregular shapes, dividing them into known shapes or counting grid units can simplify area calculations.