Holy canolies people, was today gorgeous or what? I ended up working outside for eight hours straight. And it was awesome. I LOVE DAYS LIKE THAT. I finished planting all the trees in the upper garden, pulled ivy from the hillside, pulled weeds in one of the front garden beds, and I even planted a privacy screen alongside the house. I wasn’t planning on it, but I had 7 extra arborvitaes so I decided to go for it.
Okay, so maybe I only had five extra arborvitae trees and stole the other two from our front planters.
Poor puggles. 🙁
In other gardening news, do you think I should double dig the beds or go ahead and build actual garden boxes? Garden boxes might give the space more of a formal look, but they’d obviously cost some dough. I only budgeted $100 a month for my landscaping allowance for this year {which is tiny compared to our last garden} and there are a lot of things I want to buy. Bushes, dirt, grass seed, a couple of trees, and garden bench just to name a few. Plus, I have to figure the HH will probably blow $150 on stupid lawn fertilizer as well.
I know the Leland cypress trees I paid $6.99 a piece for will provide a nice privacy border from the street once they grow in, but that will be another 3-5 before I see that benefit. So I think it might be wise to invest in building four good sized garden boxes since people will be able to see them from the street as they walk by. What do you think?
Also, what would you do with the ugly rhododendron to the left? I hate it. I’m thinking about removing it and planting a boxwood hedge that would circle around to the patio. But it would take forever to grow in properly. And holy cow man, the tree behind it is a major leaf dropper.
It may be January, but it sure feels like spring!
How about YOU? Did you get out and play in the garden today?
~Mavis
This years garden is being sponsored by the awesome folks at Botanical Interests Seed Company. You can check out their website HERE, order their new 2015 Garden Seed Catalog, or see the seeds I’ll be growing in my garden this year HERE.
Up for a tour? Read about our behind the scenes tour of Botanical Interests Seed Company.
Michelle t says
Nice day out for you. Still have snow in ground that came in yesterday and will have a big snowstorm tom
Leslie says
How about $25 each?!
Julie2 says
Definitely loved today. I made sure to organize my seeds and plan my beds this season. I look forward to your gardening adventure.
suzanne says
Mavis, I feel so bad for poor miss trouble Puggles. I have the original invisible fence system boxed in my basement that you are welcome to (Okay maybe some jam would be a bonus.) It served us well and I trust you would take the time to train yourself and Lucy how to use. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Diana says
Had a beautiful day in HOTlanta today. 🙂 I went over to a friend’s house and mucked out one of her horse stalls. Brought home 6 large bins and 3 buckets of black gold to start composting. I know it’ll take a while before I can use it, but I’m SO EXCITED to have it. There’s plenty left, so now I’m planning where else to put another compost bin… or two… or three… hahaha…
LOVE the idea of the boxes. I have raised beds I created out of used pickets from a fence I brought down. It really helps with the bending over thing that gets more difficult with age… lol… Maybe check around for some recycled wood you could make them with. Maybe some wood pallets? Just would need a coat of paint to pretty them up…
Amanda says
Definitely raised beds! We double dug and installed raised beds, our veggies have lots of extra room! Please do an article on your soil/compost choices when you do install your garden. I’m super interested to see what mix, brands, etc you utilize.
Erin Wilson says
If you spend a little time on Freecycle or Craigslist, you might be able to find what you need for raised beds for next to no cost. I know…time is money. But might be worth it.
AshleyAshley says
I would take out the tree near the rhododendron first, it’s awfully close to the house.
heather says
It was 8 degrees in upstate NY and snowing. SO no playing in the garden:(
Karin Carson says
Raised beds all the way
Janet says
Raised beds would look much nicer and easier to care for. Beds wider than 4 feet are hard to take care of and reach to the center. It looks like there are different sizes.
Wendy Steele says
I think raised beds in that part of the yard where other people can see thrm. Who knows?-the sight of your beautiful garden in handsome raised beds might inspire others in your new neighborhood to garden!! Lol!!
l bryant says
Mavis please don’t remove the rhododendron. Although you may not see them, on the days that near 50 degrees many honeybees and mason bees are out looking for a food source. Since they bloom early they are a wonderful nectar supply and they will encourage the hive to return for nectar throughout the growing season. Your food production will increase greatly.
Best of luck for a productive and enjoyable gardening season
Esther says
After the Nov. 2014 wind storm where we had a total of 5 trees on the East side of our house come crashing down on the boat, the shed and the garage roof I would suggest taking out the big tree across the yard from your rhododendron that is leaning toward your house! Those big boys do damage and cleanup, insurance companies & repairs equal nightmares!!!!