As part of our approaching Spring renovation projects, I have decided to turn the two small patches in front of our house that I (not-so)lovingly refer to as the "weed garden" into actual flower beds. The problem with this is that I have never done anything even remotely like this before.
My sole exposure to the world of raising plants comes from a few office plants in past years, and one thriving ZZ plant (look them up, they're AWESOME) that we received as a wedding gift from one of Ron's clients. I'm not even sure where to begin with planting an outdoor garden.
Does anyone here have any tips or garden pics you'd like to share?
Re: Any gardeners here?
I'm really no good with outdoor plants (houseplants are more my style), but Gardenweb is a wonderful resource!
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/
ETA: But I will TOTALLY share some pictures! lol
FrontFlowerBeds4 by Tisha_McFluffy, on Flickr
CallaLilliesFront4 by Tisha_McFluffy, on Flickr
FrontFlowerBeds1 by Tisha_McFluffy, on Flickr
FrontFlowerBeds2 by Tisha_McFluffy, on Flickr
Missing our little turkey.
Estimated Due Date 11/13/12 | Natural Miscarriage 4/17/12
I'm a Farmer's Daughter
Since you know where you want to plant - next steps are checking out the soil and sunlight exposure. Dig around in the area and see what kind of soil you're working with.. sandy? clay? chalky? Take note of the sun exposure during the day. Around what time does daylight hit? How much exposure does it have at mid-day? When does the sunlight leave? You'll want to note the total exposure.
Head to your local nursery with that info - you can even bring a small smaple of the soil.
From here on - nothing more you need to do other than ask them, based on the info of soil/sun, what flower options you have. Once they point you to your section(s), shop away.
Any questions, just ask.
Kearstin--great advice! I'll most likely be hitting you up for info in the future!
Tisha--Your garden space is about the same size as mine. I love your calla lilies...did you get plant seedlings that were already started or did you grow them from seed?
Here are some (very sad) pictures taken today, just so you can see what I will have to work with, after the snow melts, that is. The pink lines represent the borders of the garden space. I think I've decided on some simple container gardens, but I'm not religiously attached to the idea yet.
This is the space on the right-hand side of our front door. Please excuse my daughter's basketball and the hose that no one but me ever rolls up:
And here is the space on the left-hand side:
Both sides have cheap, ugly white plastic mini picket fences that I plan to replace with some rocks or bricks. Then I'll probably fill in the beds with gravel and add a few shade-friendly container gardens, as we have a large shade tree in the yard that blocks a lot of the sunlight pretty much year-round.
I'll be sure to post pics as the project moves on.
Can I tell you how much I love these photos! Yay Paint!
They were already started. I got the plant at Lowe's last year, I think.
Missing our little turkey.
Estimated Due Date 11/13/12 | Natural Miscarriage 4/17/12
Paint is my friend! I live in a bright, colorful world that exists only in my head.
Can we be best friends? I love the little decorations, too...so much so that, when DH and I decided I would take on this project, I insisted that I would only do it if I could have a garden gnome.
lol yep, we are officially BFF's. I had a little garden gnome that I sat on a rock that was in the back of my garden, and he just looked so stinkin cute standing there guarding it lol.
Awesome! I have found my gnome: http://www.gardenfun.com/garden-lawn-gnome-pink.html
And, in honor of my new garden buddy, I shall call him "Xander".
LOL love it!
Do you have a JoAnn Fabrics near you? They always have tons of cute little garden decorations and they often go on sale for 40-50% off.