This is the garden that came with the house. 🙂
Here in Mid Coast Maine we are in planting zone 6a {so a little warmer than our last place, but not much}.
The HH snapped this picture with his drone a few days ago and I’m so glad he did because it snowed again last night and the ground will likely stay frozen now until April. So this picture will now serve as my map of the front garden beds while I work on finalizing my vegetable garden plans for 2021.
It’s our understanding that the house we bought was basically been used as a summer home by all it’s previous owners. Which means for the most part, the property itself is pretty low maintenance {with the exception of mowing and annual pruning}. Which is a good thing.
It also means the only intentional landscaping that was done was the flower garden by the front entrance and one lonely and pitiful garden box that was haphazardly placed alongside the back deck.
Ideally, I’d like to have a formal vegetable garden {with a fence} and a greenhouse installed down by the waterfront. But with so many other home improvement projects slated for this year {and next} we need to pace ourselves as we plan on doing nearly all the work ourselves to keep costs down.
This year the goal is to tackle the bathrooms and interior painting projects as well as some small outdoor stuff like pruning, mass bulb plantings, installing a hedge in the front, temporary garden beds, a fire pit and a picnic table. Next year we plan to work on the kitchen and basement remodel and year 3 will be the greenhouse and fenced vegetable garden.
So in a nutshell, this year the garden will be a little all over the place as we get used to our surroundings and concentrate more on some of the basic {less expensive} outdoor projects we want to get done. 🙂
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time then you know I’m 100% about straight lines and keeping things simple and tidy.
And so that is exactly why come spring, my friend Heather and I will be digging up every single plant in the front garden area and re-potting them for Heather to take to home and plant in HER garden.
Heather LOVES free plants and I LOVE clean slates. So it’s a win-win kind of deal for the both of us.
The plan is to install a simple hydrangea border along the sides of the house {where the dotted lines are in the picture above} and then have the HH build 4 – 6 raised garden beds where the flower beds {that Heather and I are going to dig out} are now. I’ll plant those garden boxes with herbs and a few low growing vegetables.
We do have an abundance of wildlife around us, so I’m a little nervous about planting vegetables here without a fence, but I still want to give it a try.
We’ll grow tomatoes and peppers in pots on the back deck. Things like blueberries, raspberries and asparagus will all have to wait until we can get our greenhouse/fenced in garden installed.
In addition to the front flower bed and the lonely garden box, we have this field on the side of the property. The ground gets a little soggy in this area during the winter and spring months so I’m not sure it would be ideal for growing vegetables or really anything with deep roots or even grass.
We did see a bit of lupin growing in the field when we moved in though, so I think I’ll try and do a mass planting of lupine this year and see what happens. I also think this area would look stunning if it was blanketed in sunflowers, so I might try those as well.
If you plan on ordering seeds for your garden this year though, I would get your order in early. Like now. People are getting their planning and ordering done early this year and I am already seeing a few seed varieties that are out of stock.
Below is a list of the seeds I’ll be ordering today for my garden:
Herbs
Tomatoes {I’ll start these indoors April 1st}
- Japanese Black Trifele
- Red & Yellow Pear Blend Pole Cherry Tomato
- Sun Gold Pole Cherry Tomato
- Ace 55 Tomato
Single Packets
- Long Purple Eggplant {start indoors April 1st}
- Beets – Detroit Dark Red {start outdoors May 1st}
- French Filet Bush Beans {start outdoors June 1st}
- French Breakfast Radish {start outdoors as soon as the ground thaws}
- Purple Peacock Broccoli {start seeds indoors March 15th}
- Sugar Snap Snap Peas {start seeds outdoors as soon as the ground thaws}
Peppers {start indoors April 1st}
Summer Squash and Cucumbers {start outdoors June 1st}
Lettuces
- Salad Mix Sprouts Seeds {start indoors anytime}
- Little Gem Romaine Lettuce {plant outdoors May 15th}
- Bloomsdale Spinach {plant as soon as the ground thaws}
- Mesclun Baby Greens {start indoors anytime}
Flowers
- English Lavender {start seeds indoors February 15th}
- Blue Lupine {plant outdoors May 15th}
- Coleus Rainbow Blend {start indoors April 1st}
- Sunflowers – Goldy Honey Bear, Sunspot, Elves Blend, Lemon Queen, Mammoth, Shock-O-Lat, Heirloom Beauties
- Petunias – Laura Bush Blend {start indoors March 1st}
- Zinnia Fireball Blend {start seeds outdoors June 1st}
How about YOU? Have you figured out what you’ll be planting this year? Do tell! We all want to know.
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
P.S. If you order your seeds from Botanical Interests they are offering free shipping on orders of $60 or more with code FREE60 at checkout through 1/31/21. UPDATE: Free shipping on $30 orders through January with code JANSHIP30 Thanks Kari!
Jamie says
I love the drone shots and how you use them to plan your garden. I just bought seeds for my container garden last week after hearing from several sources that there might be shortage this year. I am newish to gardening and my first attempt last year was a partial failure, but I am excited to try again this year!
Robin in WI says
Hi, Mavis — regarding wildlife and plants you don’t want them to eat, maybe give Liquid Fence a try. It worked for me, although it’s on the expensive side, has to be reapplied after getting wet, and temporarily stinks like rotten eggs (then humans can’t smell it but animals can). I had a recipe for a homemade repellent of stinky stuff but can’t find it. I believe it was water, a bit of dish soap, red pepper, and garlic mixed together in a spray bottle then set in the sun for a while to mesh into odoriferous goodness. 😉 There are probably similar recipes online.
MARY says
If you are going to order seeds, hop to it. Baker Creek had to shut their website down until today because their order load was five times last year.
Kari says
Ooh, I love your space. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
As for Botanical Interests, I got a postcard in the mail yesterday with another code. Free shipping on $30 orders through January with code JANSHIP30. Enjoy!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Kari!
elle says
What about doing a quick hoop house over each bed? You know the animals will be munching away at all your hard work.
I’m 6B. Squirrels, quail and chickadees got most of my greens 1st planting before they were 3 inches high. And they eat tomatoes as well. This year for the first time, squirrels munched away all my spaghetti squash except 4. Little varmints. I’m trying to decide what to do about that issue.
Idaho girl says
I did hoops last year. It worked really well. I’m in the mountains, so it helped extend the season plus keep out unwanted visitors.
Elaine says
Mavis I SO needed this post today! The world is nuts & gardening is my sanctuary So now I’m planning my beds & seed shopping. Thank you!
Jen says
Read up on the shoreland zone, putting any structure near the water is a no go unless it existed before the shoreland zone was created. I believe it’s 75 feet from the high water mark.
Rebecca in MD says
Our house is surrounded by woods, so we have lots of deer, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, etc. We have found that cutting a piece of Irish Spring soap and hanging them throughout the garden keeps all the critters from eating our vegetables (which we grow in raised beds). We also plant Marigolds everywhere to deter the critters.
Money saving tip for your readers: The Dollar Store cells American Meadows seed packets, and last spring I got them 4/$1. The seed germination rate was fantastic, and I got to try lots of new things. One of the new things I tried was Hungarian Yellow Wax Peppers, and they are my new favorite. Excellent fresh and good for cannning.
This year I am planting:
Peppers: Jimmy Nardello, Hungarian Yellow Wax, Jalapeno Early
Tomatoes: Sungold, Black Cherry, Homestead, Rutgers, Amish Paste, Roma, Mortgage Lifter
Watermelon: Triple Crown, Sugar Baby & Hales Best Jumbo Cantaloupe
Green Beans: Contender (Buff Valentine), Blue Lake Bush (#274), Maxibel French Filet
Lettuces: Parris Island COS, Black Seeded Simpson, Lolla Rossa, Rouge d’Hiver, Red and Green Salad Bowl, Grand Rapids,
The Rest: Pak Choi, Cucumber “Homemade Pickles,” Dwarf Siberian Kale, Beet Early Wonder, Beet Detroit Dark Red, French Breakfast Radish, Crimson Giant Radish, Parsley Dark Green (Italian Flat Leaf) & Forest Green, (Curly), Sweet Genovese Basil, Greek Oregano
Herbs: Last year I planted Lavender, Rosemary, Chives, Lemon & regular Thyme, and two types of sage. All of those are perennial here in my zone 7a garden.
Flowers: Marigold Brocade Mix, Nasturtium (double sweet scented), Tithonia (tall and short), Sungold Sunflower, County Fair Zinnias. We also have perennial coneflower (Cheyenne Spirit), Hyssop, Lamb’s Ear, Black Eyed Susan (Goldsturn), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Phlox.
My favorite seed sources include Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Mary’s Heirloom Seeds, Botanical Interests, Baker’s Creek Heirloom Seeds, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Seeds for Generations, and occasionally the Dollar Store!
Can’t wait to see all the pictures from your new garden, Mavis.
Jeanna says
I agree seeds from the $ store are a Boone. A great way to start an herb garden cheap- clean out your spice cupboard- germ rate is lower, but still viable for celery seed, dill seed , coriander seed( which is cilantro once grown) , fennel etc.
I agree with hoop house idea to start, can jump start with plastic as a temp greenhouse then just twist tie on netting when it’s warmer to keep out birds and critters. As always start your compost stockpile some place, even if it’s 2 /3 years before you use it, you will be ready to go. Love the sunflower idea. I’m trying teddy bear sunflowers this year. We are also starting from scratch- a bit daunting. We have no animals as we have zero fencing yet- so no animal manure, and the words out it’s good for gardens, so nobody is giving it away. I will enjoy watching progress of your landscape as we are starting from zero too.
Robin Martin says
I looked up those baby cucumbers after reading about it on here, they look so good!! I ordered them already, they are supposed to be very prolific producers. Can’t wait to try them
Terri Lindeke says
My year has been insane… so my reading is not up to date…. I must have missed something… did you move again????
Maxine says
Deer ear my sunflowers when they’re small. If I can get them several inches tall they seem to leave them alone.
Can anyone tell you if your yard has flooded and if so how far up? I would hate for your future greenhouse to get flooded. I watch English allotments and see flooding all the time, so it comes to mind.
Wish I knew you to get free plants. I’m waiting to see how many daylilies pop up! Lol
Hoping for a beautiful meadow. Prayers and healthy thought!
Cynthia says
I’m curious as to why you want to put your greenhouse, what appears to be, so far from your house? Do you have a water supply out there or do you plan on schlepping water out there? Also, please check your Shoreline codes to see if you can put a structure there.
Pat says
We’ve installed a four foot tall electric fence around our vegetable garden to deter the critters here in Western New York. Our black lab doesn’t go near it when it’s turned on (we have the on/off switch in the garage). Once in a while a curious deer will jump over it but he doesn’t stay inside for long. After trying the smelly soaps, hot pepper concoctions, and liquid animal repellents, the fence is the best investment yet. Please consider installing one and good luck with this year’s gardens!
Emily says
My husband built me removable fence panels that slide into pvc pipe holders we installed in my raised beds. They are the only reason I can garden where we live without wildlife eating everything. Even if your raised beds aren’t your forever garden I would encourage you to incorporate some minimalist fencing, chicken wire, or wildlife netting into your plan. Otherwise, focus on plants in the nightshade family. The deer and groundhogs mostly leave my tomatoes and peppers alone even without a fence.
Laura says
In addition to Botanic interest seeds, Fruition Seeds are great! They sell organic seeds for the Northeast. I met the owner at a horticultural show two times-full of information and glad to share. The company’s website and emails are fabulous sources of garden knowledge and inspiration. Give them a try! We started a garden with no fence last season-deer, raccoons, even the neighbor’s dogs were in it and ate the Irish Spring soap. Fencing went up shortly after.
Teresa Young says
We are lucky enough to live 15 minutes from Fruition Seeds – I agree they are very knowledgable and do a wonderful job of sharing that.
Judy says
Your side area where is it soggy ground may be perfect for growing blueberries!
Diane says
Or a cranberry bog!
Barb in OR says
Just wondering if you know about Pesto Perpetuo or columnar basil? My husband doesn’t plant any other kind because it blooms but it doesn’t go to seed. It just wants to keep growing and growing. He says if you’re gentle with it, you could plant it such that it could be brought in for the winter.
Also, we have Arp Rosemary and Berggarten Sage plants that have been growing for years and have survived near zero temps here in Oregon. I particularly like the sage because the leaves are large and lend themselves to lots of creative applications.
I got some fresh raspberries yesterday which I think are going to get made into your buckle. Thank you!
l bryant says
Happy New year Mavis.
I realize you have had green houses But I have had a lot of experience with cold weather greenhouses. Since this is your dream home I know you want to plan for the what ifs.
I would like to comment on your green house placement. If you remove those trees you will need to plan on stump grinding and root removal. Since you are so close to water the roots will rot and if you build over it you risk the area sinking in. In addition I don’t know how much ocean breeze you get but a good wind break will help alleviate damage to your green house. Salt water breezes cause corrosion quickly.
Also planning on power and water will be a necessity. Running those lines for any long distance gets quite expensive and with your winter temperatures you will need to bury the lines below the frost line. I’ve had to haul water and hoses and after a while it gets very tiring. Being able to provide heat will really help with everything!!!!
Rodents are also a problem. So a strong and deep foundation wall is the only way to prevent them from tunneling in. Its amazing what damage a single mouse can do.
After making every mistake possible we moved our current and most Productive green house to its current spot within 25 feet of our back porch. We have water, power and a strong deep 18″ underground foundation wall and its a delight to use year round. I will turn on some small outdoor lights(on a remote) I’ve placed inside it and light it upat night to enjoy at night from our living room.
I hope any of this helps!
Congratulations on living your dream.
L. Bryant
Sam says
Mavis, I’m an old lady that’s back in school getting my degree in Horticulture. If I had your property, would plant some soggy loving plants in that flooded space such as Clethra alnifolia or Ilex verticillata. Even install a water loving tree. There’s tons of plants that can thrive in those conditions. Look for native water loving species. Love your blog!
TRACEY KOLB says
Dear Mavis,
Your side boggy garden would be a stunning native garden. Please look into it and if you have native plants, you can apply to be part of America’s Home Grown National Park set up by Doug Tallamy