Walla Wallas: New gardens
Hi Barbara,
Followed your post with interest as this is prcisely where I am at this
moment'an empty pallet'...Marge Talt had encouraged me to add interest with
mounds,etc.She/you are absolutely right..Since I am in the southwest of Idaho
we are very similiar in soil-climate types.I am delighted with this
'challenge'but somewhat daunted finally came up with a design I think will look
good and will serve my plants well..Now if I could just get the weather to
cooperate..
May I make a suggestion?The new book'THe Undaunted Garden'was written by a
resident of the Rockie Mountain area(Colorado)and she really understands and
addresses our particular gardening problems,concerns.
She(Lauren Springer) was in Boise and I happened to catch her hour long seminar
complete with slides and handout sheets..One of the best hours I've spent in a
long while.(No I dont have any affiliation/interest other than reccomendation
of a (rare)book which is pertinent to our area.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Connie
Barbara Weitemier wrote:
> 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.
