In The Garden

It's official.
Spring has signed on the dotted line...
another three month lease...
sending Winter back from whence he came.

She wasted no time in unpacking her trunks...
trunks full of new growth, and insects and song birds.
In the process of moving in, she redecorated...
adding ample amounts of greens and pinks and yellows to her dwelling.


When Spring arrives, I become a handmaiden to her whims...
assisting her as she once again breathes life into my gardens.
Planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, cultivating become my daily tasks.


Sewing and quilting are put away for rainy days,
and all available time is spent in the garden.


Yesterday I removed a coverlet of straw from all of the strawberry boxes.
Warm weather will awaken these tender plants...
and luscious juicy fruit will follow thereafter.


The garden boxes are now home to the broccoli, kale, cabbage, sugar peas
that until now have been growing in the shelter of the greenhouse.


I've started planning my new fairy garden.
A couple of old stumps and moss are the framework for the eventual landscaping.


My evenings have been spent in making mushrooms that will "grow" in the fairy garden...


little wooden stepping stones (a path to a fairy house)...


and tiny pairs of fairy slippers that will be given as keepsakes to the children
who find them hidden within the fairy garden...

I'm having such a great time with my fingers in the soil.
Garden season is my favorite time of year.
I will have so very much to share with you over the coming months.

I have received several questions with regards to the layout of our garden.


Our garden consists of 4x4, 4x8, and 4x12 cedar boxes.
Between the boxes we laid thick tarp and covered it with mulch...to suppress weed growth.
If you are going to build raised garden beds,
I would like to offer a little advice.
Thinking that cedar would well outlast pine boxes,
we decided to go that (more expensive) route.


What we have learned is that the cedar that is available today is not old growth cedar,
and therefore it does not hold up to moisture.
Don't waste your money on cedar.

We are replacing boards that have rotted with regular pine that we are 
treating with a soy-based weather sealant.
Pressure treated wood should not be used for garden beds,
as that type of wood leaches chemicals into the soil...and into your vegetables.


If you are interested in building pine boxes that look like ours,
email me and I can give you more details on the construction.

And of course, no job is complete without the company of Tom and Chuck!


PS:  Miss Minerva May Honeycut is looking forward to another garden season.


It was a very long winter, so Miss Minerva is headed to a spa
for some much needed attention and a complete makeover.
Stay tuned for her big reveal!

Comments

Could you not use Cypress??

Very pretty beds, btw!
Anonymous said…
Oh Minerva, Minerva... you really need to tidy yourself up a bit girlfriend. LOL Can't wait to see her outfit for 2013. :)
Every year I think I should put in some planting boxes and then I never do. Maybe this will inspire me. I'd love information on how you built yours.
Lynne said…
Busy and fun days ahead . . . fresh veggies, YUM!
Junebug said…
Isn't this time of the year fun! I really need to fine better gardening gloves. As I sit at my desk at the job that pays the bills, I laugh. Looking at my hands on the key board you sure can tell I've been gardening.

Can't wait to see Minerva's make over at the spa!!

Enjoy digging!!! Hugs!
jaz@octoberfarm said…
you are so right about the cedar. my expensive raised cedar boxes all rotted and fell apart.i can't wait to see the fairy garden!
Kris said…
Garden season is my favorite too! I need to get busy on my scarecrow!!
xo Kris
This N That said…
Your post (the beginning) is so poetic and sweet..You write so well...I'm glad Miss Minerva is going to have a much needed spa treatment..She will look like a new woman...Your slippers are just adorable..great job..The mushrooms will be a nice addition as well..Can't wait to see the finished project !!
Unknown said…
Man, do you have energy! Love the fairy shoes, too sweet for words! Can't wait to see Miss Minerva's make over.
Susannah said…
Interesting post, for sure. I love the fairy garden! Can't wait to see the new Miss Minerva!!! So exciting to see things finally growing.

Susannah
Unknown said…
Everything looks so ready to go...lots of work behind all that and then more coming but I know how much you love it.

The fairy garden is just going to be so adorable, I love what you have prepared already!
Hi Bev,
I have missed you...
I see you are busy as always... Working with the earth is good for the soul. I love it..
What MAGNIFICENT TURKEYS!
Wow! You are a woman with many talents.. I cannot wait to see your fairy garden.. You have created such beautiful goodies!
Wishing you a wonderful week.
fondly,
Penny
Joyce St John said…
I love your garden boxes and would love to have instructions on how to make them. I can't wait to see your new fairy garden! Such cute ideas! Such beautiful pics!
Katmom said…
Lucky you... we are having yet another round of rains followed by 30+ mph winds...
Ok, I know Spring/Summer will be here...just not soon enough for me! lol!
>^..^<
Oh! My! Your farmstead is amazing. It reminds me so much of Tasha Tudor and going back to nature. There probably is never a dull moment on your farm. Your home is gorgeous! And I adore the 200+ year old wooden farm home...such a tribute to the good old days.
I just became a follower and will come back often!
Teresa in California
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/