Real quick, what I've gotten done today. I use this as a way to record my garden's growth.
Created a new bed for my daylilies.
18 cubic feet of composting leaves later, I planted geraniums, petunias, and daylily seedlings that were wintersown. I expect this bed to look "weedy" for a while. I may throw some other annuals in there as they are cloned.
Took cuttings from the two white geraniums.
and the black sweet potato vine
Potted up coleus and impatiens
I took cuttings of lantana, guara (white), provence lavender, some petunias, and several other things. The kong cutting is ready to be potted.
But now, for the real reason I wanted to make this post. The perennial bed is really impressing me. I've had little luck or experience growing perennials. I had always purchased plants only to find that something kills them long before I do. Maybe I overwater. Maybe I don't water enough. In any case, they die.
This year is different. Most of my plants were wintersown. If you don't know what it is, check it out. So this year, as I started documenting the garden on Sundays, I realized that those tiny pictures really don't show the extent of what is out there.
Normally you see this.
Here's what adds up to the whole.
Yes, there are lots of weeds. No, I don't like all of my results. But, I do recognize that this is a work in progress. It won't be perfect this year. During the dormant season, things will change. Once it blooms, I'll get a better idea of what to do. This is just one big experiment, after all.
That bright green Anise Hyssop "Golden Jubilee", started out as this as seen on February 16, 2009.
We've all got some growing to do. I love gardening. It's my therapy time. Even when I do all that I do, it's my "down time". It allows me to decompress. Some seedling dies, oh well. Don't get attached to the details. Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the whole. I know I am.
This week, the perennial bed is officially 1 year old. Here's a reminder of what it looked like when I started.
I need to create a new bed this year.
6 comments:
It's only 1 year old?? I thought it was older! It is really filling in nicely; I like the stone border!
Happy Birthday Perennial Bed! It looks so good, good bones to start made all the difference. I am impressed how well it's grown already. Winter sowing is definitely on the list, I have already done this as soon as I could see the ground.
Thanks for the tour. Things are looking great!
Tom, your garden is looking great! I got a lot from wintersowing, too. I never could start seeds before but my beds are full of perennials started from wintersowed seeds - even baptisia that is going to bloom this year!
My garden is four years old and it is amazing how much bigger and fuller and more satisfying it is. Just wait. You will get there and yours will be even better.
It's a matter of time. And weather. But mostly time.
Keep posting pictures. We're watching and enjoying.
Linda in SC
One of the many things I like about gardening is trying new things. It's like one big science experiment. Some things work, some don't. To me, that's fun. BTW, I was a little distracted by the great stone border. Did they all come from your property? That's a lot of stones!
Thanks everyone. It is a learning experience for sure. And even after only 1 year, I know there's a lot more I want to do. It just takes time from here on out. I've got to let everything grow to see what's there and what needs to be done.
Yes, every one of those stones came from the yard. Some came from areas I tilled and pulled out wheelbarrows of stone. Others were already laying around elsewhere. I know of a spot in the back woods where I could probably fill the bed of my pickup with stone. That's going to make a great firepit someday. :)
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