Every Thursday, we like to post a picture of something we've found online that inspires us to do something similar at the farm.
Sort of our own blog bulletin board so that we can eventually look back and, hopefully anyway, recreate it...enjoy!
Today's inspiration post is courtesy of 2nd Man!
He found this photo and said "can we do this in some of the empty raised beds in the garden?". The thinking being that is since we won't have vegetables in all of them until we get more experienced, we could at least put something in the empty raised beds and have something else useful (fresh flowers for vases)...or at the least, just look outside and see something pretty.
We certainly have the infrastructure set up to do this, the unused raised beds are just sitting there ready and waiting for something to be planted in them...why not flowers!
Thank you 2nd Man! I'll see what I can do about that next Spring...
Be inspired!
I do this in our raised beds and typically plant zinnia seeds. But sunflower and cosmos seeds have worked well for me too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, thanks for this info!! Will try that out!
DeleteI was going to mention something landscape architects talk about. I've gardened for nearly 30 years; have done it all. One thing to remember is that in nature, square shapes are not natural and that curved beds and walks look better in the landscape. Hope that made sense.
ReplyDeleteAh, that does make sense. Thanks for that. In the garden we have all raised beds that are of course square so I'll have to do that there. But I hear ya, will keep that in mind.
DeleteIt sure would beautiful your gardening area that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteIf you buy potted flowers, do like what I have done; cut bottom off the potting container, dig a hole and set pot and all in the hole to where just the rim of the pot is above ground surface. Easy Peasy.
you could even plant some low growing flowers in and around some of your veggies. Good thing to plant around tomatoes.......marigolds for one.
OOH! That's a great idea too! Then it doesn't disrupt the garden too much. And yes, definitely companion planting next season. Thanks!!!
DeleteAt first glance, it appeared you had replaced vegetables with flowers. If you plant marigolds for insect control, make sure they are French marigolds, the only marigolds that actually control insects. Last year, the utility guys dug up a huge area to put in a new and larger meter. I had fresh ground, all ready
ReplyDeleteI was trying to correct something and posted. I had freshly disturbed ground, not fresh ground! I planted yellow daffodils, King Edward type and purplish/pinkish tulips, randomly planting them amongst each other. The daffodils came up first and were beautiful. Then, the tulips came up and both together were even better. Then, the daffodils died back and I had just the tulips. It was so pretty! Just plant the bulbs closer than the package instructs. Leave it all until it dies back and you will have flowers another year. Of course, you can plant any kind of bulb now and have the same display ready in the spring.
DeleteRemember, French marigolds only for insect control. You might be able to buy seeds if you look in the right place, like a seed catalog.
Plant a pretty cover crop right now. Some are edible. All have flowers. I agree that it is nice to look out and see flowers. You could actually dedicate on bed to flowers.
Noticing the picture--are those not huge, thick boards used for the beds?
Practical Parsimony
What a great post, thanks for th info. I like the idea of year after year. And aren't bulbs so pretty? Love them! They are magical when they just pop up and bloom and then go away for another year. Will check that all out. Thanks.
DeleteOh and yes, those boards ARE hugh aren't they? I noticed that right away. They aren't going anywhere, that's for sure, ha.
I am with Donna Baker here. The square beds make a lovely colourful splash, but I prefer curves. Harder to achieve, but more effective.
ReplyDeleteI agree, curves are nice and natural. We don't have a choice in the garden, since they are square raised beds and that's why we thought the flowers would help distract from that, ha.
DeleteVery nice. Curved or straight, having raised beds where you can wander in and out, entertain guests, one of my dreams too.
ReplyDeleteWell that's true, it makes for some lovely wandering about huh?
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea and so pretty, not only would you have cut flowers but you could also repel insect pests and be providing for the bees even if you don't have hives just now.
ReplyDeleteIf you wanted to try a more rounded look for the beds in the future you could cut the wood in half at an angle ( 45degrees ? ) and flip and turn the alternate pieces until you have them joined into an octogon, not quite round but more natural.
If second family don't have a suitable saw you could hire one for a day and have other jobs ready to make use of it as well. If you aren't confident or experienced in handling such power tools ask 2nd family for some help.
The cut flowers would be a huge benefit huh? And like the thought of helping bees, even if not ours.
DeleteThanks for the suggestion on the octagon. Might try that sometime. You are wonderful, thanks!!!
I'm no gardener, but I think that would be beautiful on your property. Have you ever been to the Butchart (I hope that's the correct spelling) Gardens in Victoria, B.C.? It's sooooo beautiful there. You might want to draw out your plans before you start and use a variety of shapes.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Ohh, I've heard of that place, but never been. Will have to put that on our 'someday' list. I'll google it too and see some pics. Thanks!! And drawing them out is something I always plan to do and then don't. I will try to do that this time around, ha.
Deletegreat idea; and I second janie - http://www.butchartgardens.com
ReplyDeleteOH, and here's the link! Thanks, off to check it out. OK came back to finish this comment, WOW, what a great place. Thanks to you and Janie for the suggestion. So pretty!!!!
DeleteGreat idea from 2nd Man! The heart and soul need as much nourishment as the body!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you think. That's so true. We need other nourishment in our lives don't we Thanks!!!
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