More Foundational Garden Work

As the warm weather stayed, we were able to work more outside on the foundational and structural part of the gardens...The actual planting, for the most part won't happen until May, but so much can be done to prepare.


A neighbor offered to drop off mulch...a pickup truck full, so we were able to decide where beds would go and develop more of the form of the paths and design of the garden.  Basically, we put 6+ inches of mulch on the previously laid cardboard, newspaper and mulch and then also laid out cardboard and newspaper to form new beds. 

We also bought chain to put across the old clothesline, so when the concord grapes and kiwi vines arrive, they will have a place to grow.

Where our fruit vines will grow

Four of the beds have since been planted with four different variety of peas to restore the nitrogen to the soil before we plant more veggies in May.

With each step, and each project, we make observations and make adjustments to the plan. The fruit and nut trees are ordered, the mints have arrived and are waiting inside and the culinary and medicinal herb seeds have arrived. 


Next, the herb garden! 


One of the things I enjoy most is telling people what we will be growing this year, or trying to, as everything is an experiment. The usual question is "How much land do you own?" and I answer 100x50 - but we are only using about 40x40 right now - and there are still huge open spaces! It doesn't take much to grow some food, everyone can do it. 


One last thing I would like to share is that the flower bulbs I planted just before the October snowstorm are starting to come up! It's pretty much a miracle to me. Plants want to grow! =)

Dragonflies and Fireflies

Our little lot doesn’t seem so small when I think of all that will grow here and I realize that I must be in good company with all other gardeners that work hard during the year and wait patiently through Winter for the next season.  So much of gardening is just thinking and planning.

Standing in this yard for hours, I envision the future…

 As if they were already grown, I can see the apple, pear, and paw paw trees – grown and green and full of fruit. I see the ancient posts of the clothesline as the support it will be for Concord Grapes and Hardy Kiwi vines just over the dry riverbed.

Planters will hold mints and other plants that may need some control or special care, and I can smell and taste the fresh mint in a tall, cold Mojito with Indian Rum, and the jelly and jam that will be made.

The current raised garden beds will be full of lettuce, tomatoes and peppers, and more. The herb spiral will be built on the side of the house and the front yard will bloom with 200 bulbs yet waiting underground for warmer weather. A few have shown a little green with this mild Winter, but they are waiting, as I am, in anticipation for the coming Spring.

There are Jerusalem Artichokes in a bed where they cannot spread and take over – will they really be small sunflower-like flowers that smell like chocolate? We’ll see. It’s all an experiment.  A neighbor has a fig cutting for us, from his gigantic fig tree. The tree doesn’t know it isn’t supposed to grow here.

A good lesson to learn: With a little care, impossible things are possible…

What I have observed is that I am a different person in a garden than I am in an office. There are no pretenses and no airs…just hands in the dirt and plants that want to grow.  With dirt as the only makeup on my face and hands that grow stronger every day, I am closer to the girl who made mud pies, chased dragonflies by day and fireflies by night. The one who believes in the good in the world and that magic still exists.

I prefer to be her.

If I could find a way to keep this understanding throughout the whole of my day, I would consider it all a success.

Simple. Beautiful. Purposeful. Fun. Giving. Abundance.