Planning 2023 New Garden

For the new spring garden I have been collecting some new varieties of flower seeds and vegetables to try. Varieties that I have never grown before and also some seeds that we love from last years garden.

I spent a lot of time last summer pulling the weeds that were here in this area and leveling it out in preparation for the new garden in the back section of the property for 2023. There was a ton of trash that had to be removed. Old carpeting that was buried and some concrete and metal posts and fencing. The fence will also be getting a coat of stain to brighten up the color of the wood and protect the boards from weather.  It’s feels like sort of a large project but I am excited! 

Below are pictures of some of the junk that was removed. When I first started this project it was overwhelming because I didn’t have any help and I had this vision of what I wanted. I made a few trips to the chiropractor during this project as I tend to think that I can lift more than I really should. The little wagon I bought saved me and was amazing to be able to lift the junk and move it to an area to be hauled off. The previous owners used a lot of concrete and there was a wood burning stove just dumped into the area that I wanted to make a garden.

 

So far I've got the garden beds all put together and placed roughly in the area that I want them. Once the weather gets better I will be adding the soil to the beds and pulling weeds around the perimeter. I am not wanting to use any chemicals and prefer to pull the weeds over using anything harmful to the environment.

 I plan on making small garden beds along the fence using old weathered fencing boards that I pulled o Ifrom the front of the yard last spring. I made some flower beds using old boards along the fence in the front last year and it turned out really nice so I will do it again to the back portion

It saved a lot of money that I would have had to spend on lumber and prefer to reuse and be resourceful if I can. Along the fence I am planning for sunflowers and cosmos and also some vertical climbers like sweet peas and also some sugar snaps and cucumbers.

The beds will contain some lettuce and mixture of vegetables and flowers that will help to attract the beneficials and also help with pollination. I found that with planning a new garden it works best for me to first draw out a paper map that I can edit with pencil to make changes as I am still in the beginning stages and will more than likely be making a lot of changes as I learn more.

I also have a photo album(below) so I can reference back to color and see at a glance what I will be working with. I love to be able to see the color, as it helps me to design the final layout. Ive also been studying the planting dates and learning about my growing zone as it will be important to the placement of each variety and timing. That way when spring gets here, I can get right to work. I have several varieties that will need to be started inside under grow lights, like Lisianthus which needs about 18-22 weeks to bloom in the summer. Never grown it, but giving it a try because I absolutely love roses and I've heard that these are easier than roses but I wont know until I try it.

This is an example below of the photos that I keep to reference back to color and what I am planning on growing and seeds I’ve purchased with my ideas and videos of my before and after. It helps to keep me motivated and keep organized.

To view the updated garden that I was working on above, I did a quick video walk around of the perimeter in summer of 2023 of this area and working my way to the front perennial garden that I completed in 2022. Pictured Below from my Youtube Channel.