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Our front yard was already landscaped when we bought the cabin. There is a pond with a fountain in the front lawn surrounded by a rock garden. This has been planted with irises, peonies and roses. We have a concrete sidewalk starting from the large driveway leading to a patio area, which I am currently setting up and will show you that project when it is complete. We also have a huge wooden deck along the entire front of the cabin, which I keep clear of snow in the winter. Tucked in the front was this little corner checkerboard perennial garden. I decided this would be the perfect spot for a little herb garden. Here is how it looked in the spring:
I began by cleaning up the area.
Then I recruited H to help me remove the concrete pavers. Notice the snowdrops coming up in front.
Next, I relocated two large peonies (to the greenhouse). Then we added manure, compost and fresh topsoil and dug it under. Any time we found a bulb buried beneath the soil, we carefully transplanted it to the front of the garden. Then it was time to add the natural stone for stepping stones.
I wanted a meandering path and we added a stone in the middle of the large curves so that I would be able to walk in here easily without trampling the plants. Funny how it turned out to be a subtle yin yang design.
Next, I planted the herbs, placing taller specimens in the back. And leaving the area where the blubs were transplanted alone. After planting, I covered the exposed soil with a few layers of newspaper that had been torn into strips. Then I covered everything with a few inches of mulch. (Note: there was a large pile of mulch already in the back yard.) This keeps the garden from drying out too quickly in hot, dry weather, and keeps the weeds down to a minimum.
The garden is now planted. All I have to do is enjoy it and wait for my perennial herbs to return each spring! Growing in this little patch are: 3 varieties of lavender, 2 varieties of oregano (I have a spicy oregano growing elsewhere), 3 varieties of sage (including my favorite- pineapple sage), 4 varieties of thyme, curry, marjoram, chives, lemon balm and catnip. The bulbs came up and I found that I had snowdrops, tulips, daffodils, a hosta, a delphinium, a tiger lily, and a few columbine. I also have containers nearby with rosemary and basil.
Here are a few shots of the herb garden taken just today:
Since early June, I have been harvesting herbs for cooking and drying some for teas. Â It is so convenient just to run down the front steps, in bare feet and pajamas, to get some herbs for breakfast.
I must go as Lucy is nudging me, reminding me that it is time for our evening walk. Here is a shot of her snoozing on the deck earlier while I worked on this post. Funny, the positions our pets get in when they are sleeping.