Re: [SG] New gardens
To anyone beginning a new garden with a "blank slate," I would suggest
building in some "bones" first, contours and rocks. My garden is (was)
flat, now has many mounds, complete with rocks. The primary reason for
mounds: 3 dogs with short legs, that like to chase through my garden.
Adding rocks to the mounds and providing many paths among them tends to
keep the dogs out of my plants. Also, the rocks add planting pockets for
individual plants, remind me where plants are located when they are asleep
in the winter, and give the garden a visual interest that a flat, rockless
area wouldn't do.
I wish I had gotten some really BIG rocks some years ago, but I didn't---so
collect liftable rocks anywhere I go and arrange them in groupings in the
mounds. Almost as good as big rocks, but I still may get some big ones yet
! Rocks also provided a cool root run for plants, as well as shade for
their leaves.
Add a taller layer of plants: Japanese maples, hydrangeas, other shrubs,
then fill in with a middle layer---many plants available, add smaller rocks
for visual interest, just keep going until the effect pleases you. Keep
mulching---the very best thing you can do !!
Barbara, in Walla Walla, where the sun is shining, the dogs are chasing,
and I am weeding.
