It’s that time again – *cartwheel* planting time! I mentioned last summer after my South of France trip that I would use bamboo to make a French-inspired garden! The day has come.
See the new climbing jasmine in the back against the wall? I just bought it, it’s pinkish-white flowers and more vine-clinging like, unlike the other jasmine on the other wall I shaped on the trellis. I’m debating if that’s the spot I want it because I’m afraid of them taking over the lime tree to the left – it can get as wide as 4 to 6 feet! I need to make a decision soon, but it’s so tough.
I used zip ties to secure the four sprinkler sprayers. I don’t think I’ll have anything climb up this because it would obstruct my sprayers.
The basils were from a few starters – you should note that in a basil pot you have maybe 5-6 starts in there. Separate them! I put one in first and was like wait a second… so don’t be afraid to pry them apart gently. Marigolds are in there to keep the bugs away. I was going to cluster them in the middle of my box but realized the bugs would just avoid that area. So I just spread them out and will let you know how that works out. I did hear a marigold border is best, but as you can tell, I’d need a LOT more.
Look at that tripod lashing! I first started with 4 then realized 3 is stronger than 4 – look at photography tripods, light stands, it’s just better. So a tripod it became!
Ugh, this view. The spotty grass – that’s from a husband who got a little too crazy with Roundup unsupervised. God knows why and decided to just start killing my turf. There’s no point in getting all upset again over it but let’s say right now he knows he cannot do that again – and no, Photoshop is not an option to fixing it *smirk*
We used raised garden bed corners from Gardeners.com, the 10″ height.
We heavily thinned out the dead branches on the grapefruit tree.
Then we gave the old girl a paint job to lift her spirits. She has a few years left in her.
New leaves and buds are forming so we left a few ripe ones on for guests to still enjoy (leaving them on the tree is like a storage solution).
Since the geraniums didn’t really make it, I had to plant 12 more plants against the jasmine vine wall – as I have been doing annually. I decided a 6-pack wasn’t worth it (too small) and I was tired of planting annuals so I bought these perennial lavenders and said, let’s make the backyard like the South of France! And so, these will grow well and stay put and also survive the summer heat. So worth the upfront cost so I don’t have to plant every year.
Pay no mind to my brick border job – this has been here for 2 years now and banged up with mowing so it’s time to look for a brick layer and get it done as I had intended.
If you’re curious about what I planted for spring, you can see it here – click it to view it larger.
I am taking a chance on squash – one of my best girlfriends went to DC and brought back seeds from her trip to Thomas Jefferson’s estate (he loved to garden) and I used them all for this bed – flowers too! I put them in the most shaded part of my raised bed. A few things I decided not to replant this season: strawberries (birds were terrible), eggplant (too many and I don’t eat them), cucumbers, and malabar spinach (never ate it). We are going to have an abundance of tomatoes and peppers, and I cannot wait. I did artichoke from a seed but to be honest, I found it more fun and pretty than finding them worth the patience of growing. The $1-2 heads at a grocery store were worth it and much larger.
Look at those bunny buns!
What are you planting in your neck of the woods?
Dan Cristo says
Your garden looks beautiful, Diana. Cute little bunny as well :)
Diana Elizabeth says
Hi Dan! Checked out your website, love the name – my husband’s family owns farm land in the midwest and I have heard of the phrase Black Gold. Wish we had some out here. And would LOVE 17 acres of farm land, wow!
Dan Cristo says
Hi Diana,
Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my site. My wife and I just launched it this week, so we’re very excited to get involved in the gardening community.
Our 17 acres is a mix of woods and farm land. I’d say about 10 acres are clear, which is plenty enough for what we’d like to do. That said, I’m a bit envious at how clean and organized your garden area and yard are.
I love your raised garden bed diagram. I’m going to print that out for a few of my beds this year.
“Wish we had some out here.” I would be happy to send you some Black Gold fertilizer if you like. Use it on a few plants, and let me know what you think. Shoot me your mailing address at info@blackgold.farm, and I’ll drop some in the mail for you.
Diana Elizabeth says
Hi Dan, I’ll shoot you an email! Would love to try it!
Michelle says
I’m not planning anything as my yard is still under about 6 inches of packed snow and ice that hasn’t melted in weeks
Diana Elizabeth says
LOL I love you.
Stephanie Young says
Hi! I am a HUGE fan of your work, and love your gardening posts. I have gardened (is that a word?) ever since I was a young kid at my parents, and recently started my seeds for my 20’x40′ spring/summer garden this year, which are sprouting quick! I am wanting to start an herb garden for the first time…I have a raised bed (about 5’8′) but would love any tips you can provide :) Thanks!
Diana Elizabeth says
Hi Stephanie! Thank you SOOO much for your comment – gardened sounds like a nice past tense to me! I suppose you could say “I have been gardening since I was young” but whatever! ;) I know what you mean! 20’x40′ sounds amazing! I posted about my raised beds here – https://dianaelizabethblog.com/2013/04/garden-beds-are-ready/ But I’ll work on some more posts about the raised garden beds :) Good luck with your harvest!