Hi Neighbour,
Well, what did you do on the May long weekend? Did you plan a special event? I sure did: to spend from dawn to dusk in my garden. I’m sorry I grumbled so much, but I had been waiting to get things growing in my garden—actually, in my four raised gardens.
My first raised garden (RG1) was made of 2′ x 2′ patio slabs on their sides (as walls) with 2′ x 4’s underneath and on top. The concrete slabs were held in place by metal supports screwed into the 2′ x 4’s. I bought my first raised garden kit from Lee Valley in 2013, and, with the help of friendly neighbours, built a raised garden shaped like three sides of a square (⊏). The outside ‘spine’ measured 16′ long and the two ends, north and south, were 12′ long. All the ‘arms’ were 4′ wide. It was quite unique. And the best feature was that I didn’t have to go down on my knees to garden. I was no spring chicken, so I planned for gardening that would be easy on my knees and back.
Then, in 2014, I had my first experience growing vegetables, to go with my two dwarf apple trees and blackberries (all over)—again, easy to harvest the fruit, because they only grow 6–8′ tall. I certainly didn’t have a green thumb, but things grew in spite of my lack of experience and knowledge. I discovered how forgiving Nature is. This year is my ninth summer to grow foods that I can eat, raw or cooked. I love to wander in the yard and pick arugula or fennel to munch on. That is, after I’ve dealt with the dandelions and the blossoming buttercups…
In 2020, my friendly landscaper built me Raised Garden 2 (RG2, 16′ x 4′), with design improvements over RG1. Then in 2021, I bought a new/used greenhouse, which was reassembled last fall. As if that weren’t enough disruption, my landscaper and I built RG3, parallel to and the same size and design as RG2.
My backyard has looked like a construction site for a few years now, but I’m feeling more resilient with every year! It has kept me busy and safe, dreaming of changes to make, during COVID. Near the back of my yard, I now have a new ambrosia apple tree to replace the dwarf tree that got canker and had to be destroyed. And I have a lower and smaller RG4, just for my garlic, which is looking good. But so far in 2022, our ‘Cold Spring’ has messed with every other planting goal.
So I’m sure you can understand my elation at having a whole long weekend of fabulous weather to play ‘Gardener’ in. What a treat! I could do so much! I had grown seedlings on my back porch and they were ready to be transplanted to a bed. I threw mustard seeds on an unplanted patch and within a few days they were sprouting. Spring was late in coming but, Boy, has it sprung! Whew!
Fiona