Throughout the long winter months, we waited and planned our spring project – a new vegetable garden. The overall layout of the garden was not optimal for everything we wanted to plant. Last year, I made wooden raised beds. They worked well, but the beds were just made just from scraps of lumber and would not last long term. In addition to the raised beds, we needed to get rid of several things taking up room in the garden. The installation of a new heat pump system enabled us to get rid of the air conditioning unit. We have never used the pool heater, so this unit was sent for recycling, along with the large propane tank that supplied the heater. With those three items gone, we could completely change the garden.
This was the garden last year, the propane tank had been removed, but the heater and the air conditioner were still taking up room.
After the units were gone, I leveled the ground. The sand filter for the swimming pool is staying. Andrew and I emptied the filter last month and changed all the sand. The kitchen renovation provided us with an abundance of cardboard. Each cabinet came in a separate box. Andrew spread the cardboard on the leveled ground. Cardboard makes a good weed barrier, and it is biodegradable.
We covered the cardboard with a layer of wood chips. Each spring, I have tree work done, which gives us a ready supply of new chips. I bought powder coated, steel beds. Last weekend, Andrew and I assembled them. They are each 4 feet by 8 feet. Next came the topsoil. I ordered 4 cubic yards. According to the internet, a cubic yard of topsoil weighs approximately 1 ton. Yesterday, I moved all 4 tons. Some people go to the gym; I just work in the yard! Our garden is now ready for planting.
Our yard is growing well. We had a late freeze in March that caused issues with some plants, but overall, the yard is blooming nicely.
Jack in the pulpits have sprouted everywhere. Our clematis vine in the woodland garden is blooming this year for the first time.
Over the past few years, I have purchased iris from the Historic Iris Preservation Society IHIPS). They are old and unique varieties. I may buy more next month. HIPS is currently working on rehoming iris from large collections of people who have either died or have had to give up their business of selling iris. The most recent is a collection 900 different varieties. This rehoming helps preserve older varieties.
Viburnum is in full bloom. The blossoms cascade on top of the branches.
As much as we enjoy our yard and all of the colors of the flowers, it is fun to look back on our vacation to Arizona and New Mexico. The Grand Canyon was so much more impressive than I expected. We enjoyed our trip a lot. As it was spring, we saw many wildflowers. No matter how much I work in the garden, it is impossible to make something as lovely as what occurs in nature.
The new vegetable area is looking amazing. What do you use the sand filter for? Love the idea of preserving heritage irises. Wish we had a group that would do the same here. So many wonderful plants being lost not to mention the loss of perhaps important genetic material. Spring has been cold here so we are well behind. Lots to look forward to though.
Hello Elaine,
Thank you for your comments. The sand filter is for the pool. It is not hooked up yet. We had some cold spring weather here too, but then some really hot days. Strange weather. The Iris group coordinates with local groups across the U.S. and Canada. They have even worked with iris gardens in Europe.
I love your garden. We always had a vegetable garden across the driveway at the edge of the roadway on the fence side. We would drag the hose from the house down the lawn across the driveway ….and water the garden. My mother never used pesticides so that we could pick our vegetables and eat them while picking. We had zucchini, carrots, peppers, string beans, cucumbers, herbs (basil, dill, oregano), every type of tomato you can think of, sugar snap peas, etc. this blog brought me a wonderful memory. Thanks! Gia
Hello Gia,
A great memory. How did you handle the deer? Were there fewer then? They would destroy anything not behind a fence.
Lieber Paul,
I can’t wait to see what you planned for growing in the new vegetable garden.
What amazing workout – moving 4t of soil. I love multi-functioniality in all forms 🙂
Your iris collection meanwhile is kind of regal … albeit 900 varieties is hard to reach (if that is your goal).
Much love from Germany,
Sophia
Vielen Dank, Sophia. This weekend we will begin planting in earnest. We are late. I was out of town this week and did not want to start anything if I wasn’t here to water. I will let you know! Liebe Gruesse, Paul and Andrew.