Making a New Garden Bed
Making a new garden bed in the front lawn is very easy. I took a spade and cut through the sod along the outline of the proposed bed. Then I cut the sod in manageable pieces and turned them over to compost into the bed. Since it is in the front lawn I covered the bed with wood chips so it looks nicer. In two or three weeks I am going to mix in composted manure to the entire bed. Waiting a few more weeks I’ll begin planting.
I want to keep the height in the bed low- one or two feet at most. I’m considering the following plants:
Bellis perinnis (English Daisy) flower buds and petals, young leaves edible 6″ x6″ (0.15m x 0.15m) long bloomer, evergreen perennial
Potentilla nepalensis 24″ x 24″ (0.6m x0.6m) edible root. Maybe one at each end or perhaps as hedge? Perennial
Juniperus horizontalis(Carpet Juniper) along the front next to the sidewalk I think. 12″ x 36″ (0.3m x 0.9m) evergreen perennial. Roasted fruits used for coffee like drink(need male and female plants), young growth used for tea
These plants do have edible parts but this bed is fairly close to the road so I probably will only eat them sparingly if at all.
I reshaped and expanded the new bed. This shape is easier to mow around. It also gives more space for more plants!
Spring 2009 Summer
new bed on right
expanded new bed