Yesterday afternoon I headed out to the garden to start work on expanding the rock border in front of our viburnum hedge. It was a little tough going because the ground was still a wee bit frozen, but I did manage to dig up all the old bark to make room for the expansion. I’m thinking about planting some sort of flower border in front of the viburnum hedge this year, and I need to not only move the rocks forward, but clear away the excess bark that has built up between the rocks over the last few year.
One of the greatest inventions ever, is landscape fabric. Home Depot carries it year round, but Costco usually gets giant rolls of the stuff in around early March every year, and that’s when I stock up. The landscape fabric in this particular area was laid down 3 years ago and as you can see, it’s still holding up great.
My goal is to remove all the rocks on the left side of the garden {seriously, who needs a gym membership when you can lift rocks all day}. I plan on moving a few to the right of the garden boxes to beef up the area, and then move the rest somewhere in the backyard {I have not figured that part out yet}.
Once the rocks are gone, I’ll be able to expand the garden area to the left of the raised garden boxes and grow more veggies this summer. I’m not exactly sure what yet, but this area is slightly slopped so I’m thinking some squash vines would look pretty cool. We’ll see.
What do you think?
Is moving the rocks a good idea? Or just crazy work for a gardener with cabin fever?
~Mavis
Need a little help planning your garden this year?
The Essential Garden Design Workbook is tailor made for gardeners and is accessible, practical, and can be used to create a garden from scratch and to redesign an existing garden. You’ll find easy ways to measure large spaces, estimate the height of a tree, and find the right proportions for a deck. There are also tips on space, light, and color. Includes hundreds of easy-to-follow line drawings and diagrams.
Mary Ann says
I think you have an incredible amount of energy! I wish I had even just one quarter of what you have!
Tanya k says
I agree with Mary Ann! You are such and inspiration 🙂
Laura says
If you’d like to put off moving all those rocks, did you know that you can watch SEASON 3 of Downton Abbey right now through this blog? Season 3 is amazing! 🙂
http://www.agoldenafternoon.com/favorites/howtowatchdowntonabbeyseason3intheu-s/
Mavis says
Holy canolies. There is no need to click on the green “download now” tab either. You can watch the show by simply slicking the play button. What a find!
Vicki says
Hi Mavis,
I don’t know if you have trouble with squash vine borers where you live, but these are a nice vining variety of summer squash that seem to be somewhat resistant to those little buggers that always seems to devastate my other types of zucchini.
http://www.territorialseed.com/product/1100/400
I love the taste (nutty) and texture (very firm) of this squash, and they’re large, so they’ll help with your poundage. They also maintain a small seed cavity even when they’re very large. If I let them get too big, I usually cut of the seed end and just cook the long slender neck, which still provides plenty of squash.
Love your blog!
Vicki
Mavis says
Thanks Vicki, I will take a look. 🙂
Melissa says
Im new to your blog and love it! Did all your 2000 # last year come from those vegetable boxes? How big are they?
I live and garden in northwest Indiana so I can only Plan this time of year.
Mavis says
Hi Melissa,
I grew over 2,000 pounds of vegetables last year. I have never weighed the free food from the vegetable boxes. 🙂
Melissa says
Dear MaVis,
I meant your framed in raised beds in the picture with this post? I was trying to figure how you got so much out of that space or if you had other areas for vegetable production. Sorry for the confusion.
BethAnne says
Why are all the rocks there to begin with? I thought maybe they had something to do with erosion control or drainage.
Kim says
Move the rocks. Plant more veggies!!!! You could always move the rocks back later if you change your mind.
Connie says
You must be over the flu?!
Mavis says
Ha! Yes I am thank you very much. 🙂
Helen in Meridian says
Bring out the scale. You get to weigh each rock before you move it, because they grew there in your garden.
Mavis says
You can’t GROW rocks Helen. Nice Try!
Marie says
I agree with Theresa – your home may need the drainage provided by the rocks to keep water away from your house. Do other neighbors have the same rocks away from their homes? I’ve moved rocks before too – if you decide to go ahead with the transformation, just be sure to squat and lift from your thighs so that you will not injure your back! We all need you to reach that 4,000 lb goal this year!
Anne F. says
Mavis,
You *can* weigh the rocks. Make stone soup (heehee).
Can you tell us what the green cylinder is in the photo? (in the left-hand rock area below the word “Add” in “Add Vegetables Here”.
If you have a septic field or a french drain, you have to be careful what you plant over it.
~Anne
Mavis says
Anne,
Thanks for the heads up on you know what. I removed it. 🙂
Mavis says
Propane tank. :)It’s soooooo unsightly and makes me crazy because it’s right in the middle of the garden.