Yesterday I broke out the shovel and got started on my future herb garden.
There are quite a few things I need to get done before I can actually plant herbs, but with a little hard work, I think I can get the beds ready by early spring.
On the “to do list” is installing a new pathway {removing the big rocks and replacing them with brick that matches our house}, adding more pea gravel to the walkway, moving the hosta plants to the other side of the path, filling the area in the center that is now full of pea gravel with top soil so the bed is more of a half circle, and adding some sort of gate/trellis/arbor to the side yard.
And of course, removing those wild and crazy out of control bushes was first on my list. 
I like digging. It’s therapeutic.
Once the boxwoods grow together {and are trimmed properly} I think they’ll compliment the space {and future herb garden} much better.
What do you think?
Do you like my game plan for this space? Any suggestions?
~ Mavis
P.S. Don’t worry, the I planted the boxwoods far enough away from the air conditioning unit. It’s just hard to tell from the angle I took the photo from. 😉
Cecily says
Great game plan especially removing the gravel path in the center! The only thing that I would change would be to replace the gravel path you remove with flagstones so that you don’t step on any plants when you need to access your air conditioning unit.
Marla says
Incorporate a little phosphate to help schrubs with root growth. Don’t fertilize with nitrogen or potassium until early Spring. Do this for all transplants or newly planted plants. Also, if your soil is compacted (we have clay in western NC) til some small pine bark into the soil. Helps plants get oxygen. You probably know all this…but wanted to pass along to others too. Happy digging.
Practical Parsimony says
Some of those boxwoods are too close to the foundation. They will grow to tree size. The roots can damage the foundation or basement. Granted, they grow slowly. Are you going to keep those boxwoods trimmed? If you need the ac serviced, the guys will not care about herbs. Plus, the boxwoods can inhabit their ability to move around. The boxwoods will need severe pruning on the side near the ac. A small, removable fence is often used for shielding the ac from sight. I am sure your arrangement will look better and herbs are always good!
Debra says
I wonder why the path leads you to the side of your house. Love watching you transform the place.
Angie W says
I have worked at a heating and cooling company for the past decade and cringed when I saw your photos. Once that is grown in, techs will have to battle to get to the unit. Not to mention that you will need to be super vigilant to not allow them to grow any closer to the unit to allow for air flow. Restricted airflow = breakdowns and a shortened lifespan of the unit. You will need to aggressively prune those things as they grow.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m on it! 🙂 I am a very aggressive pruner.
Kdb says
What is the plant to the left of the drainpipe?