Building a Garden

One of the big projects we tackled recently was building a raised garden bed for vegetables.

We drafted and redrafted plans for it, figuring out how tall and how wide and how deep, and we wound up with a very tall planter - out of the reach of the little bunnies and just high enough to make gardening very easy on my back.

It was the work of a very long day, but we built, installed, filled with dirt, and planted our seedlings last Sunday.

That poor red-stemed dogwood never stood a chance.  The plan next year is to build an identical planter that will nestle directly to the right of this one, and sooner or later bean trellises along the back to give a bit more (green) privacy to the fence.

Dreary Spring Days and Garden Plans

Today was a dreary and rainy sort of spring day, so despite not having to work or run errands I didn't get out in the yard as I had planned.  I did make a dent in the chaos that we call the office and the usual household chores, but I can't wait to get back into that yard and get working on the garden.

Tomorrow I judge my last Forensics tournament of the 2012 season and I'm sorry to see the season end so soon.  But I do look forward to knowing that (for the most part) my Saturdays will be mine again.

Richard has put a seed tray to start seedlings in his window at school where they will receive lots of sun to get them ready for the vegetable garden and the front flower beds.  The photo is from last week and while I haven't seen any more progress Richard promises that a few of them already need transplanting.  I'll start some of the herbs soon and send them over for the same care.

While we were in the yard yesterday Wicket discovered that sticks are for both fetching and chewing.  She proceeded to bring that exact stick into the breezeway each time we returned from playing fetch in the yard, and that's where is resides even now.  There is no doubt she has claimed that stick as her own.

Speaking of spring, one of the perks of Richard's teaching job is looking forward to spring break.  We're taking just a few days to visit family out-of-state before returning for what is sure to be more yard work, basement work, and just work in general.  It'll be Wicket's first real road trip as the furthest she's been before was to Madison and Oshkosh.  She's a trouper though, and we can't wait to see her meet Diego, her canine cousin of the Mexican hairless variety.  Does anyone else look forward to spring break as much as we do?  Or is that a feeling reserved for students and those that teach?  Either way, I hope everyone's gearing up for what looks to be a beautiful spring.

not yet the new year and already longing for spring

Surely I am not the only one who is already itching for spring before we've even undecorated the christmas tree.

Perhaps part of that was buying slightly wilted and over-priced basil at the supermarket for our New Year's Eve Dinner and longing for the days when I had a little boxed herb garden on the sill of my kitchen window.

So to appease my longing for spring I've pulled some rather inspiring shots of indoor "gardens."

Hopefully soon enough our kitchen will be less of a construction zone and better lend itself to putting up my own new windowsill garden.

Etsy Vintage Discoveries - Spring Gardens

Since spring seems to have finally arrived it's time to garden with some great vintage discoveries!

Antique Spoons Garden Markers Set $32
from Hammermann

Vintage RRP Co. Aqua Mint Green Jardiniere $32
from Haven Vintage


Herb Garden Pots with Wooden Tray $34.95
from 8point8

"If you'd have a mind at peace
A heart that cannot harden
Go find a door that opens wide
Upon a beautiful garden."