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Seeds for Change Wellness
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Elemental Garden Retreat Project Also See Project Blue Sky
Check Back Later to See How We Are Progressing
The Project Continues...
Bed # 3....
Side View of Bed #3
Last Section Around the Circle
Bed # 4...Whew! it took a bit of time to get to this point....in the center of this bed I used a
discarded piece of tree trunk as my inspiration....I kept looking at it as it laid on the brush
pile and it seemed to say, " I want to be in the garden." ...so I took some garden twine and
did some weaving and wrapping to give it an interesting look. It was then partially buried
in the bed. This left a center opening in which a Citronella Plant was placed to appear as
if it were emerging from the opening... Ivy was planted behind each side to grow up the
focal point.
To the right are more Alyssum, behind that Morning Glories were seeded to grow up the
bamboo trellis...
Behind the focal point, a few Yellow Marigolds were planted, and a Sage.
In the front are both curly and flat leaf Parsley, and Cilantro.
Another Chive Plant to the right and some more Alyssum to frame in the border.
discarded piece of tree trunk as my inspiration....I kept looking at it as it laid on the brush
pile and it seemed to say, " I want to be in the garden." ...so I took some garden twine and
did some weaving and wrapping to give it an interesting look. It was then partially buried
in the bed. This left a center opening in which a Citronella Plant was placed to appear as
if it were emerging from the opening... Ivy was planted behind each side to grow up the
focal point.
To the right are more Alyssum, behind that Morning Glories were seeded to grow up the
bamboo trellis...
Behind the focal point, a few Yellow Marigolds were planted, and a Sage.
In the front are both curly and flat leaf Parsley, and Cilantro.
Another Chive Plant to the right and some more Alyssum to frame in the border.
Two trellis' were put in the back of the bed...planted two Clematis to grow along the
trellis, with Ivy along side each end of the trellis...more Alyssium and Marigolds....got the
economy packs which contained quite a few plants...this bed contains Herbs. .. Parsley,
Oregano, Thyme, Chives..in the center between the trellises is a flowering bush...a few Blue
Petunias were placed around to add an additional splash of color.
trellis, with Ivy along side each end of the trellis...more Alyssium and Marigolds....got the
economy packs which contained quite a few plants...this bed contains Herbs. .. Parsley,
Oregano, Thyme, Chives..in the center between the trellises is a flowering bush...a few Blue
Petunias were placed around to add an additional splash of color.
Full View of Bed # 4
View of Finished Beds Around the Circle
What's Next?
Now that the center is finished, the surrounding areas enclosed within the garden need attention...
and this will be a huge job...
and this will be a huge job...
This area is outside the entrance to the garden..where a bed once existed but is now
overgrown with weeds...it will be cleared out and climbing roses will be planted to grow on the
fence...
In the overgrowth are a few beautiful wild violet plants...the space will be opened up to
give them more room to grow and spread..
overgrown with weeds...it will be cleared out and climbing roses will be planted to grow on the
fence...
In the overgrowth are a few beautiful wild violet plants...the space will be opened up to
give them more room to grow and spread..
This section is to the right of the garden entrance... there was a wildly growing rose
bush which I attached to the fencing to grow and fill in...also below the rose bush is
another wild violet plant...the area will be cleared of weeds and a flowing bed will wrap
around to the other side.
bush which I attached to the fencing to grow and fill in...also below the rose bush is
another wild violet plant...the area will be cleared of weeds and a flowing bed will wrap
around to the other side.
Inside the garden to the right is an
area that has strawberry plants and
many, many weeds...
This will be the last area to be done
to give the strawberries a chance to
blossom...they will then be
transplanted.
I found another interesting branch
from the brush pile and created a
trellis with bamboo poles and garden
twine... a Red Trumpet Vine was
planted at its base...this will fill in and
accent the roses on the outside front
of the fence.
area that has strawberry plants and
many, many weeds...
This will be the last area to be done
to give the strawberries a chance to
blossom...they will then be
transplanted.
I found another interesting branch
from the brush pile and created a
trellis with bamboo poles and garden
twine... a Red Trumpet Vine was
planted at its base...this will fill in and
accent the roses on the outside front
of the fence.
Over View of All the Weeds Surrounding the Garden
Wow! So much to do...my thoughts are to make
a circular path around the center with beds...
mixing perennials and annuals...mostly perennials
that will fill in and provide low weed maintenance.
a circular path around the center with beds...
mixing perennials and annuals...mostly perennials
that will fill in and provide low weed maintenance.
Beginning the Outside Perimeter
I decided to start at the Walnut
Tree which is at one end of the
Strawberry Patch and make my way
around...
By the time I reach the other side of
the patch, the Strawberries should
be done for the season...I'm a slow
worker!
The biggest job was clearing out the
weeds using a cultivator and hand
pulling...the weeds were then placed in
the compost.
Along the fencing there is about a
foot of space then embedded wood
that runs the length of the fence that is
a few inches wide. I filled in the space
with a layer of rocks from the soil while
clearing and then covered it with a few
inches of soil. Morning Glory seeds
were planted to grow up and cover the
fence.
Tree which is at one end of the
Strawberry Patch and make my way
around...
By the time I reach the other side of
the patch, the Strawberries should
be done for the season...I'm a slow
worker!
The biggest job was clearing out the
weeds using a cultivator and hand
pulling...the weeds were then placed in
the compost.
Along the fencing there is about a
foot of space then embedded wood
that runs the length of the fence that is
a few inches wide. I filled in the space
with a layer of rocks from the soil while
clearing and then covered it with a few
inches of soil. Morning Glory seeds
were planted to grow up and cover the
fence.
In this section I transplanted some Day Lilies that will grow and fill in nicely in front of the fence. Then
Portulaca was planted in front of that. I found this Christmas Angel at the Thrift Store a few weeks ago and was
going to use her elsewhere...but changed my mind and settled her in here...Ivy is planted at her feet and she is
holding a pot filled with Ivy...
Portulaca was planted in front of that. I found this Christmas Angel at the Thrift Store a few weeks ago and was
going to use her elsewhere...but changed my mind and settled her in here...Ivy is planted at her feet and she is
holding a pot filled with Ivy...
An Azalea was planted in this section as well as some Alyssum.
While clearing I found a charred
piece of wood that wanted a spot in the
garden so I put him in there and
planted a Green Pepper plant in front
of him.
piece of wood that wanted a spot in the
garden so I put him in there and
planted a Green Pepper plant in front
of him.
Working from Post to Post
Since there are so many weeds which are entrenched into the soil and that soil is so hard, it
takes a long time to clear an area by hand...so rather than make myself crazy...I decided to work
from post to post, doing one section a day....clear the weeds, work the soil, clear out the rocks,
back fill along the fence, then put in some plant material...everything will be mulched when done
to help with weed control.
takes a long time to clear an area by hand...so rather than make myself crazy...I decided to work
from post to post, doing one section a day....clear the weeds, work the soil, clear out the rocks,
back fill along the fence, then put in some plant material...everything will be mulched when done
to help with weed control.
It didn't take too long
before our compost bin was
filled with the cleared weeds
and whatnots..
As I was looking over the
back corner of the garden
I figured I would put in
another compost area.
On the outside of the
garden fence is the brush
pile which I am working on
as well...cutting it down so it
can be neatly stacked...
And using interesting
finds to create garden
ornaments or trellis'.
To sort of hide the
compost area I created a
fencing by just placing short
bamboo poles in the
ground..
In between the 2
sections of fencing is
another Thrift Store find for
a few bucks, an old over the
door shoe rack.. This is
another trellis...I buried it in
the ground and am planting
Hollyhock seeds in front and
behind to fill in..
Dianthus will be planted
in front of the fencing to hide
the compost area as well
before our compost bin was
filled with the cleared weeds
and whatnots..
As I was looking over the
back corner of the garden
I figured I would put in
another compost area.
On the outside of the
garden fence is the brush
pile which I am working on
as well...cutting it down so it
can be neatly stacked...
And using interesting
finds to create garden
ornaments or trellis'.
To sort of hide the
compost area I created a
fencing by just placing short
bamboo poles in the
ground..
In between the 2
sections of fencing is
another Thrift Store find for
a few bucks, an old over the
door shoe rack.. This is
another trellis...I buried it in
the ground and am planting
Hollyhock seeds in front and
behind to fill in..
Dianthus will be planted
in front of the fencing to hide
the compost area as well
The bed is starting to wrap around....I placed an old bench in front of the Shoe
Rack Trellis as a place to sit and relax... this is creating a walkway between the
center garden and these new beds that are being created.
My teenage daughter helped me carry the bench into the garden and she asked if
I was building a moat around the garden...gave me a chuckle 'cause it sort of looks
that way right now when you are out standing in it...
Rack Trellis as a place to sit and relax... this is creating a walkway between the
center garden and these new beds that are being created.
My teenage daughter helped me carry the bench into the garden and she asked if
I was building a moat around the garden...gave me a chuckle 'cause it sort of looks
that way right now when you are out standing in it...
Mother's Day
Sunday, May 13. 2007... When my husband came home from work he asked if I wanted to do any
thing special today because it is Mother's Day. I said I wanted to spend the day in the garden,
especially since I haven't been able to get out there for the last 2 days. So he said he would help
me out and till up around the perimeter of the garden.
I was elated...having worked the past week out there using a hand cultivator has been very slow
but manageable work...now I was approaching a section that was much wider and my post-to-post
division of labor seemed overwhelming...tilling this section in particular would make it a whole lot
easier.
Even with the area tilled I would still need to do quite a bit since the soil is filled with weeds and
rocks.
thing special today because it is Mother's Day. I said I wanted to spend the day in the garden,
especially since I haven't been able to get out there for the last 2 days. So he said he would help
me out and till up around the perimeter of the garden.
I was elated...having worked the past week out there using a hand cultivator has been very slow
but manageable work...now I was approaching a section that was much wider and my post-to-post
division of labor seemed overwhelming...tilling this section in particular would make it a whole lot
easier.
Even with the area tilled I would still need to do quite a bit since the soil is filled with weeds and
rocks.
This photo is of the rose bush on the fence line as you enter the garden...I had worked
on it a few weeks back, giving it a haircut and attaching some of the bush to the fence to
train it to grow in that direction.
It is hard to see from this pic but it is just bursting with buds and the leaves are all so
healthy and vibrant. In previous years the number of buds would be limited and the
insects would just feast on the leaves...
My heart jumped for joy to see this! Everything in the garden is just glowing with good
health...even in our shade garden, near the side of the house the Lily of the Valley planting
which has been here for years never really bloomed much, just would be the showing of
green leaves, and even the leaves would look kind of sad, this year is absolutely bursting
with gorgeous white flowers.
The Elemental Energies are Humming!
on it a few weeks back, giving it a haircut and attaching some of the bush to the fence to
train it to grow in that direction.
It is hard to see from this pic but it is just bursting with buds and the leaves are all so
healthy and vibrant. In previous years the number of buds would be limited and the
insects would just feast on the leaves...
My heart jumped for joy to see this! Everything in the garden is just glowing with good
health...even in our shade garden, near the side of the house the Lily of the Valley planting
which has been here for years never really bloomed much, just would be the showing of
green leaves, and even the leaves would look kind of sad, this year is absolutely bursting
with gorgeous white flowers.
The Elemental Energies are Humming!
| Morning Glories coming up along the Trellis... |
My first successful seed planting...Morning Glories at the base of the trellis...I
generally have a black thumb, unable to grow anything...my husband Scott, has
been the one for years to do the gardening 'cause I would get frustrated with
lack of success..
generally have a black thumb, unable to grow anything...my husband Scott, has
been the one for years to do the gardening 'cause I would get frustrated with
lack of success..
Clematis planting in front of the twin trellis..originally I purchased 2 single boxes of
Clematis plants and put them into the garden about a week and a half ago...I was
surprised when I opened that boxes that it just contained the growing medium and no
root ball...but thought "Oh it must be like a seed" so I planted what was in the bag and
figured I'd have to wait until something came up...
As I was out plant hunting the other day, I noticed similar boxes of Clematis but
these boxes had vines growing out of them...decided my purchase was a dud so I
bought myself a Mother's Day gift...2 established plants from the local Agway...
This photo is about 5 days after the planting and the vines are just so taking off
unbelievably...they came attached to a small trellis in the pot which was kept...figured
I shouldn't disturb the root structure and it would provide extra support as well...There
is a little less than a foot between the plant and the back trellis...yesterday I attached
the vine to the large trellis, it had grown that quickly.
Clematis plants and put them into the garden about a week and a half ago...I was
surprised when I opened that boxes that it just contained the growing medium and no
root ball...but thought "Oh it must be like a seed" so I planted what was in the bag and
figured I'd have to wait until something came up...
As I was out plant hunting the other day, I noticed similar boxes of Clematis but
these boxes had vines growing out of them...decided my purchase was a dud so I
bought myself a Mother's Day gift...2 established plants from the local Agway...
This photo is about 5 days after the planting and the vines are just so taking off
unbelievably...they came attached to a small trellis in the pot which was kept...figured
I shouldn't disturb the root structure and it would provide extra support as well...There
is a little less than a foot between the plant and the back trellis...yesterday I attached
the vine to the large trellis, it had grown that quickly.