Spring Clean-Up

Once things start greening up in spring, it seems like our place goes from bare to out-of-control in a matter of days. With planting and haying going on, it’s hard to keep up with it, so some areas only get a once a year clean-up. Such is the case for the herb and flower beds in the front yard. Here’s how it looked before we got started.

Here’s how it looked after.

Just a different kind of messy! Usually, I only try to make it look neat, but this year we have plans. The rough circle of bricks you see is going to become a keyhole garden. In the bed in front of the porch, we’re going to transplant a couple of our volunteer blueberry bushes. They’re attractive, will provide shade and privacy for the porch, and more blueberries! On the trellis (where I’ve tried and failed to grow hops for the past three years), I’m going to try a cherry-type tomato called “Matt’s Wild Cherry Tomato.” It’s a native of Mexico and reported to be vigorous,  disease-resistant, and self-sowing. It’s indeterminate, so the trellis is a good place to try it.

I’ve also been working on my other herb beds. The problem with them is mostly wire-grass takeover.

It’s always rewarding to get these beds neat and tidy. Unfortunately, by the end of summer they will look wild and unkempt again!

Dan’s keyhole garden is underway, so I’ll have more about that soon.