Now that everything is pulled out of the garden, and we can see the “blank canvas”, are you already thinking of ideas for next year? Nothing wrong with that, especially when the successful and not-so-successful efforts of this year’s garden are still fresh in your mind!
I always think we should try something new in our planters or gardens, but we should still incorporate our favorites! For most of us, garden space is limited, so all the more reason to plant what you really like and enjoy. After not planting them for many years, I forgot the delights of our favorite annuals. Seeing the row of asters and bachelor buttons took me back instantly to my sweet Mom’s garden; in my mind’s eye I could picture the well-tended and abundant rows, and Mom and I puttering among the plants. Such happy times! As for other favorites, we plant herbs in pots to make them handy to the back door, then I can step out in my slippers and cut some fresh herbs! Delicious and fragrant!
One area that we knew needed work was a spot where we used to have a big compost pile.
Over the years the lumber collapsed, and while we maintained the compost pile, there was no actual structure. Since the pile was right beside a shady patch of perennials, the ever-enthusiastic goutweed moved in to the rich soil and quickly devoured our compost pile. So this year we decided to eradicate all the goutweed and use that space for a new perennial bed.
I won’t bore you with all the details of how much work it took to clean out that space. But the end result is a bright, shiny new bed! I have a great little book called “Beds and Borders” by Richard Bird, and he talks about the various types of beds and borders such as herbaceous borders, shady borders, edible borders, rose gardens, and many more. But there is also a handy chapter on “basic techniques” that all of us can keep in mind whether we are creating a new bed or revitalizing our existing beds.
Number one: double dig to clear out any roots, stones, twigs or debris. While we are digging we should add as much organic matter as possible. If possible, leave the bed alone for a while to let rain and frost break down the pests, and residual weeds to appear. Avoid walking on it more than you have to so that you don’t compact the soil. Number two, plan out the look of the new bed, keeping in mind the physical location of the bed in terms of sun, wind, and traffic.
Now number three, the fun part: choosing your plants. You might want to draw the flowerbed or border on paper and mark out the plants, drawing them at their “eventual spread” as Mr. Bird says, just to make sure you allow enough room. Consider the plants’ heights and widths in relation to each other, to be careful that one plant won’t eventually block out another.
Plans for planting at this time of year may have to be on hold till spring, but that gives us plenty of time to do some research, and also a chance to look at our existing garden with fresh eyes and see if we might have some plant material already on hand that can be moved to the new location.
It’s fun to think ahead! We’ve done a good job this year but we can always be excited for the next season! That’s like life, isn’t it.
Have you planted any bulbs yet? There’s still time; I’d like to add more orange tulips to the little bed that Toby and I planted before he passed away. More special memories!
Find out what’s happening with the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society by logging on to our website at www.yorktonhort.ca Have a good week!
