Today I Started Work on My Patio Garden
Last week's foot of snow has melted off, and it's still a couple of weeks too early to plant anything. However, I got some pots and planters today, and a couple of bags of soil/potting mix, and began.
I will plant as many herbs as I can - rosemary, lavender, basil, thyme...what else? Low growing herbs would be nice for the pots on the shelves. They are not real tall. Hens and chicks because I like them. Something bright that will bloom a long time. Something tall and bushy in a large pot over by the shelves to help block the view of the neighbors.
It's going to be an adventure, for sure. I have good sun and a water spigot, and it's a nice place to sit and enjoy being outside. And I have made a beginning!
Comments
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Definitely sounds like a plan. Already looks like it will be great. I'm thinking that it might be easier using planters and pots for deterring the deer and rodents that like to munching my plants. I have a blueberry in a planter and have a bit of wire fencing around it. I'm starting some herbs on a sunny window sill. Whether they get planted outside remains to be seen.
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri looks amazing already now.
As for something large and bushy. What about an undetermined tomato like Golden Currant and Red Currant? They grow really vigorously have no trouble with blight and you can harvest lots and lots of small sweet tomatoes.
Cutting salad or baby leaf salad is low growing and can go into some of the planters on the shelf.
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri This is going to be beautiful and such a great place to relax. Looking forward to seeing it grow!
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Nice! I have chicken wire around my patio plants to keep the neighbor's cats from using them as a bathroom. They still like to get in there when they can, but it does help.
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Looks great!
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Would something like this work to obstruct your view of the neighbors?
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@RustBeltCowgirl It would, but would also cut down on my space as there's nothing to attach it to on that end of the space.
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@RustBeltCowgirl How does it hold up to weather and sun?
It has a more natural look and would offer some shade at times.
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@Denise Grant I thought that it might work for @Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri .
There are a bunch of other styles on Amazon. I just grabbed that one as an example. Wasn't sure about her patio size.
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@RustBeltCowgirl I thought that might be what you were asking for.
If a person needed privacy one day a folding screen might help.
@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri I am really looking forward to seeing what you do with this space.
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri looking really good!😀
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri A lady with a plan! Sounds awesome and already looks great!
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I like your set-up! Looks cozy :). I love herb gardens. This year I'm hoping to expand it and grow a few different things to complement my usual favorites.
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri
Lemon balm, peppermint, camomile perhaps? Great that you are making an early start. I want to try to free up some time when the weather is better just to enjoy the summer by doing some of the work when the weather is cold.
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Well, I finally got some plants today, and have started planting my little garden. I can see that I already need more big pots!
2 cherry tomatoes, sage, dill, rosemary, sweet and Thai basil, English and lemon thyme, lemon balm, lavender, oregano and calendula, plus a fern, a petunia, and gardenia! It's looking really nice, and I actually sat out in the late day sun (on my new cushions for the bench) for 15 minutes and enjoyed my work!
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This is absolutely adorable! What a wonderful place to relax.
What has been the neighbors reactions @Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri ?
Great plant selection!
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@Denise Grant So far, I've not bumped into any of the neighbors. I leave for work at 5:30 am and don't get home til 7pm or after.
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri Looks nice. How about adding a crocheted rug made from grocery bag strips?
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The one concern about that is the wind is always blowing here, and twice the cast iron chairs have been blown over! Everything is either heavy, weighted down or tied to something to make it more stable.
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri we have had an unusually windy winter. Seems like six months worth of wind has been stuck into a couple of months.
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I have a double wrapped wire fence around the two Frontenac vines due to rabbits needing scrumptious foods.
@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri at first glance, i thought the bench had gotten painted ;) they’re cushions.
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I'm pleased with how my little garden is doing, but we are getting a freeze tonight and tomorrow night, so I'll be covering everything with old sheets again later this evening. The weatherman says it might get as low as 26 degrees!
One thing I find to appreciate about my tiny little space is that I have enough old sheets to cover everything easily. Last spring in Idaho I had to run to the thrift shop and buy enough for all my little fruit trees. My yard looked like I'd decorated for Halloween with all the 6 to 7 foot tall trees draped in sheets!
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri I am glad to hear your little garden is giving you such joy.
We have what they call buck a bag sales at out local fire departments. I go there and buy a few bags of sheet to have on hand for cold nights and possible frosts.
That is what I love about small gardens. Everything is so close its easier to get chores done. I also love the challenge about getting as much as possible in a very small area.
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@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri Lovely garden and ideas. So glad I came across your posting as I bought a ceramic pot yesterday and was trying to figure out what to plant in it. I'm going to take your lead and plant herbs although I could have bought a dozen of the pots and planted so many things. Hmmmmm........
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@frogvalley I have to continually remind myself that I can't get everything I want! And there's the issue of my mom bringing me plants that I don't really want, but she's 82 and I can't just refuse them. So, I've planted a big box of gladiolas that I would not have chosen for myself. Good luck with your herbs!
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What a mixed day for my patio garden. I've been adding plants, and despite the cooler than normal weather, everything has been doing really well. I'm loving the outdoor space that I have created. Today I even harvested the first 2 cherry tomatoes, which I ate right there!
This afternoon a storm blew through and pushed over my shelf and some pots. (my neighbor's motorcycle got tipped over on its side!) Nothing damaged beyond repair, but it is still raining, and I work 12 hours tomorrow. So I guess my Saturday is planned. Here are before and after photos. Amazing what strong winds can do. And it could have been so much worse, so I'm not really complaining. Just annoyed that I have to redo what I was really pleased with.
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I love what you have done.
My friend just had a wind storm and lost somwe of her shelves and a few signs, (she sells eggs and veggies from her porch area and lives right in town) Shes looking in to finding a pretty way to make sure they are anchored.
Glad you did not have more damage.
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Everything has been put upright and I am happy to report that all the plants survived, and side from a corner broken off a plastic planter box, none of my pots or plates were damaged!
And I have been able to enjoy a couple of handfuls of ripe cherry tomatoes! The variety is Sweet "N" Neat Yellow Cherry, and it has a pleasing tomato taste.
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