God's Palette Future Lavender Beds

My son helped me stake out the future lavender beds.

New Garden Layout

Upon entering the gate, there's about a 30'x30' square which can hold up to 18 3'x8' raised beds. I'm going to start with TWO. Then the area slopes down and I staked out a path between two triangular beds with path around the entire perimeter inside the fence. I moved the bench and potting table, I'm liking this a lot! It really helps me plan to have the stakes and string so I can visualize the space better.

When outside the garden standing at the gate, to the right is the corner, I want to plant a Lavatera 'Barnsley' there and put a cherry timber to define the bed area. And I want to plant Sedum 'Autumn Joy' on either side of the potting table.

Looking at how to plant raspberry and how to support the canes for easy picking!

Things I'm working on:
-raspberry support
-which lavenders to plant on the slope
-which blueberries to plant
-considering russian sage and crocosmia 'lucifer' together, love the purple and red!

Second Day of Spring SNOW

Um...it is the 2nd Day of Spring and we have...SNOW?!

Staking Raised Beds

I like this! A little string and a few stakes and I feel like I can SEE it! I like the idea of sitting on the bench and watching my garden grow, so I put the bench near the raised beds. I like the 3'x8' size and the ends will face north/south.

Past the bench is "the bump" which is the high ground and contains a couple stumps. Then the right slopes down (good drainage).

Reality

I'm REALLY wanting to get some raised beds going...but the reality is I need to unpack! I'm on a 15 day unpacking plan so by April 1st I'm hoping to be 100% moved in. Then I'll need a period of time to work on word studies and finish a handful of projects...THEN I'll be more free to have some garden time.

Last week, I moved the bench and milk can and potting table into the garden area. I know gardeners don't sit often, because there's always so much to do, but I want to be able to have a place to rest and enjoy watching the plants grow.

The first day of spring is next week!

This weekend we're going to start a worm bin...we'll put our kitchen scraps in the bin, which I like much better than tossing in a compost pile outside where the critters can get at them. The landlord wants to re-seed the pastures and he'll be doing that this weekend.

First Garden Purchase-Seeds

Beautiful morning the other day...today a blanket of gray...again.

Though the soil is cold and sopping wet, I ordered some seeds this afternoon instead of going out to weed. Here's what is in store for this year so far: zinnias, larkspur, echinacea, coreopsis, cosmos, hollyhock, nemesia, cilantro, lemon balm, parsley, baby carrots, swiss chard, poppies, sweet peas

I've had a Lavatera 'Barnsley' at each house and this one should be no exception. I have a spot for it and want it yesterday!

In my online travels, I found this jaw-dropping flower farm about 90 minutes north of me:
http://www.floretflowers.com/spring-gallery/

Total spent today: $55
Running total: $55

This Spurge is a Noxious Weed in Washington State

WHAT?! Sarah Raven raves about this plant, but guess what I found!? This very plant, Euphorbia oblongata is classified as a noxious weed in Washington state!

 Here's what the Noxious Weed Control Board website states:
"Class A noxious weeds are non-native species whose distribution in Washington State is still limited. Eradicating existing infestations and preventing new infestations are the highest priorities.
Eradication of all Class A plants is required by law."

Uhhhh, I guess I won't be finding any seed packs around town!

photo credit