With the arrival of spring and ignoring any weather reports that it may snow again on Friday, I am fully focused on garden planning. The seedlings are doing well. Although some are a little “leggy”, I am encouraged by the sprouting and quick growth – especially for the herbs that will make up a new herb and flower garden.

The last of the large trees near us were taken down, so we will be in direct sun most of the summer and I am planning to take advantage of the new spaces that are available for planting. In the back garden there is 50 feet of fence with several different baby grapevines planted near it for a future green privacy wall of delicious grapes. We also have coppiced mulberry and maple trees in this area and will continue to harvest from them for mulch and kindling.

We will be buying 50 feet of retaining wall stones that are approximately 5 inches high and 16 inches long. This gives us a way to form a new herb bed – by leveling off the slight slope of the hill near the grapevines.

The bed will be approximately 50′ x 4′ and will include the grape vines, as well as a densely planted border of Nettle, Bee Balm, Yarrow, Echinacea, and more.  This will be primarily to attract beneficial insects and bees – and also herbs for harvesting and storing.   Each year, we strive to add a new space of perennial plants to work up to a garden that requires less and less work. (Other than annual vegetables).