Week 9 of 52 – Mavis’ Backyard Garden Plot
Do you see the watering cans lining the fence? I will stop at every single garage sale this summer until I have collected enough watering cans to line the top of the fence with. Call me crazy, but I am determined.
Notice anything different? Last week the plan was to put together my pallet garden area, and this is as far as I got. Fingers crossed I can get my sheets stuff together and complete it by this weekend. Hold me to it people!
I am seriously thinking I should plant some sugar snap peas at the base of the teepees instead of waiting until June to plant green beans. Typically I am done harvesting peas by the end of June. So really, what’s a few more weeks anyway? I’m sure the beans won’t mind, plus the peas will add extra nitrogen to the soil in the meantime.
This area is a diamond in the rough I tell you. Just wait until I get it all put together.
The beginning of an awesome flower garden.
The poppies are starting to peek though the soil.
I don’t think I’m going to need a heater after all. Not at least this Spring anyway.
Take a look at the artichoke plants I started from seed. Yee-Haw, they are doing awesome!
Nothing going on here.
So. I called the bark guy to get an estimate on bark. It seems all the neighbors use a local bark blowing service. The guy came out, measured the property, and determined I needed 75 yards of bark.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Long story short, NO, I do not think I need 75 yards of bark nor do I need to cough up a lung to pay for it either. Not only do I think I can achieve the look I want in 30 yards or less, but I have a wheelbarrow, a teenage son and a love of fresh air. I’ll do it myself thank you very much.
The chickens kale and Swiss chard area is coming along nicely. I need to straighten the soil line, add some rocks for a border, and then I’ll be ready to plant here in a few weeks.
What do you think I should plant to the left alongside that log? I can’t decide.
I keep going back and forth on whether or not I should plant potatoes in this area or pumpkins. This week I’m leaning towards pumpkins. I think they’d look cooler from the balcony.
Raspberry patch still needs attending.
If I don’t come up with a plan quick, I’m going to have the ugliest herb garden on the planet. Any ideas on how I can make this area more attractive?
For the most part, things in the backyard garden are moving along smoothly. What I need now is about 5 days of straight sunshine and a whole lot of free time to get everything done. Here’s to wishful thinking.
~Mavis
{Oh Ryan, you are so sweet!}
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 2013 Garden Seed Catalog HERE, or visit my {online} boyfriend Ryan’s blog HERE.
Georgia says
Mavis, what dimension lumber do you use around your beds? 2×6, 2×8, or 2×12 sunk in?
Mavis says
2x8x12 🙂
Nikki says
So Beautiful!! Do you mind if I ask what size your lot is?
Thanks!
Mavis says
We live on a little over 1 acre but only use about 10% for the garden.
Nikki says
That’s awesome! and very Beautiful!
I’m just getting started this year, I think we are on 1/3, but a good amount is the long driveway and parking… 🙁
Hoping to do what I can though! 🙂
Bridget P says
If you look on craigslist for your area in the free section I notice alot of people giving away bark in the last few weeks so you could score some free bark you just have to haul it away yourself. 🙂
Anne-Marie Bilella says
Mavis you are so organized!!! I have tons of land, very little extra money and do a raised bed here and there with one main garden area that is 15×25. You totally inspire me! 😀
Anne-Marie
Jean Ink says
My herb garden – I edge the whole thing in alternating white and orange pansies. Herbs are green, and it’s a gorgeous color combination! I buy the pansies instead of trying to start them from seed – I like to kick-start the beauty part of it. Once you have the area edged, then you can add your herbs as you decide what you need. Of course, pansies die out in the early summer, so you have to replace them, but by that time there’s plenty you can choose from.
Wynne says
That sounds gorgeous. I could do that! Thanks!
Jean says
You’re welcome! Time to refurbish my own herb garden and get some beauty out there!
Miriam says
Just use marigolds and onions to surround your herb patch and they’ll keep most pests away.
Wynne says
In Gaia’s Garden, Toby Hemenway has a neat picture of an herb spiral, a mini hill with fat stones spiraled around it. Sun-loving herbs go on the south side of the spiral and wet-loving ones on the north side. I think the hill’s only 6 feet across and three feet high or so, so you can easily care for the center herbs.
Mavis says
Thanks! I will take a look. 🙂
Robert says
I am curious how you got rid of all the grass, weeds, etc. around your garden beds. We put in some beds last year and simply mowed/edged around them. This year I would like to do something better. Any suggestions?
Mavis says
2 words : Landscape Fabric
I am slightly addicted to it. 🙂
Kristina says
Mavis,
My grandma uses milk jugs as watering cans!! Hey, there free! Plus, she saves rain water from all the rain we get in the Pacific Northwest and then fills them up with that to use to water plants and stuff. They are all over her yard, there not attractive but it works, lol!! 🙂
Mavis says
Go Grandma Go! 🙂
Miriam says
If you bury the jugs, you don’t see it.
Kristina says
LOL!!
Kaia says
It might be crazy, but I like the idea of the watering cans! Can’t wait to see it completed–I’m sure it’ll be cute 🙂 Someday I might try to copy it, though I’d have to have some sort or an alternative, as it’s too windy to just leave them hanging here.
Erin K says
Have you considered comfrey in the yet-to-be-determined space by the chickens? We did that till the chickens ate them all and scratched up the roots (I think they REALLY liked it). Some friends of ours do that too and half their feed is supplemented by the comfrey.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
About the bark/wood chips…try calling companies that chop down trees. I’ve read that they have to pay to get rid of the trees and are often happy to give them away for free. Worth a few calls if you need that much!
And I just planted my first seed tray tonight and it includes artichokes! You’re really inspired me and I’m getting my first community garden plot this year. I can’t wait to have a bit more space to grow more food.
KK
Mavis says
You go girl! Let me know how your artichokes do.
Sydelle says
Will you collect only green watering cans or use them to bring a pop of color to the fence? Along the log, have you thought about hosta? They come in many varieties and could serve as a transition between the less cultivated area to the more cultivated. They also provide texture and shape to a garden design.
Mavis says
I like the idea of Hosta plants, I think they would make the log “pop.”