Garden Corner 05/07/09

This week I’ve been thinking about a picture perfect garden. You know those ones you see in magazines and gardening books? Well, my Kansas garden corner certainly doesn’t look like that! But, you know what, I’m going to guess that yours probably doesn’t either. In fact I’m pretty sure that about 99% of gardens don’t look that way. I’m sorry if I’m dispelling any illusion you might have had about my garden and my gardening skills, but my garden is no more perfect than my figure, my parenting skills, and my ability to keep on top of housework. I’m sure you get the idea.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, here are some things which are wrong with my garden, or maybe right, depending on how you look at it.

#1 – A Creek Runs Through

I’ve always wanted a creek, stream, burn (Scottish term), or some kind of running water going through my garden. I’m talking here about something natural, not a concreted water fountain. Nature has provided. Here on the left you can see my developing creek bed. Last week, one afternoon, when it was raining, I so enjoyed watching the water cascading down this slope under my white oak tree. I’d be really tempted to leave it to develop further, but I’m just a little worried about the roots of my oak tree. If the slope gets saturated I suppose there’s a chance the tree could come down on top of the house. Not pretty!

#2 – Waiting for a Raised Bed

Have you got one, or more, of those unfinished projects around your house or garden? Here on the right is a spot within my garden which is waiting for a nicely built raised bed. I had it covered up with black plastic just to keep the weeds manageable, but it’s been there long enough that the plastic is breaking down. I need to get some mulch onto this before the weeds get out of control this year. The raised bed is currently not even on the project schedule. You know what though? Actually I’m OK about it, I don’t think I’d like everything in the garden to be complete.

#3 – This is my Rain Garden!

This spot in my garden used to have grass. The Linden tree, whose shadow you see cast here, was providing almost total shade until we had the tree trimmed last year. No grass could grow in those circumstances. This spot in the garden has a lot of water running through it when it rains. My plan is to build a rain garden and use rocks, mosses, ferns, some shade tolerant shrubs, and maybe reeds, but it’s still on the drawing board. A project like this takes a surprising amount of time, energy and money. Even when you do all the labor yourself and reuse materials, the plants alone can be several hundred dollars. My rain garden is waiting for some love!

#4 – Anyone for Mint?

I have my share of invasive plants in my garden and mint is one of them. Fortunately I love to eat mint! It’s great in salad, soup, or stew. I try not to serve it too often as I don’t think my family are as fond of it as I am. This pictured clump is on the ‘path’ around my raised beds. It’s pretty easy to pull up and add to the compost pile. As long as it’s not choking out something else I’d rather be growing I tend to leave it be. As I walk around the garden I love the fresh smell of mint released when I tramp on the plants.

This week I harvested from my garden: mint (of course), young onions, spring greens, lettuce, radishes, and green garlic.

What’s happening in your garden corner this week? Do you have anything to harvest yet? Have you got any trouble spots, or is your garden already perfect? I’m off to make some mint tea (what else)!

Related posts:

1. Garden Corner 04/16/09
2. Garden Corner 03/12/09
3. Garden Corner 06/04/09