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Category: Beds and Borders

How to Amend Garden Soil with Compost

December 4, 2019 kbjanda

See how I use compost to amend garden soil over the winter.

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Planning and Planting a Narrow Garden: Part 1

September 3, 2019 kbjanda

How to deal with a long, narrow planting bed between steps and a driveway.

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The revamped hell strip between the driveway and front steps is filling in nicely! 🤩 This very long, narrow bed was completely redone last year, with contractors helping to create two raised tiers with vertical flagstone. With the ground level portion, there are now three tiers planted with variegated irises, Blackbeard Penstemon (because #foliagefirst !) and Supertunia Picasso in Purple, which looks quite fuchsia, I think ☺️. Ooh yes, and a span of daffodils runs the entire length, though they are admittedly looking a bit ratty at the moment. They'll stay for another week or two before getting trimmed back. ☺️✂️ How do you tackle long, narrow planting areas?

I enjoy the Dwarf American Cranberry Viburnum shrubs more every year. They aren't consistently prolific bloomers, but it does seem to be occur more frequently as they age. This guy is one of the oldest original plants (a whole 4 seasons old 😅) that hasn't been moved. I think it's saying "thanks!"

I'm trying a new emitter in these pots! I found the individual drippers just aren't enough, especially with multiple plants, so this year I'm trying the adjustable sprayer type. The tubing snaps into a stake that holds it upright and the threaded sprayer cap can be loosened or tightened to adjust the flow. Fingers crossed that all four plants can get a piece of the watering action 😅

The dianthus drift is coming into bloom! It smells lovely, too, just like carnations 🌺. A big load of mulch is due on almost every bed, so disregard those less than beautiful drip hoses. The pink petunias are Supertunia Vista Bubblegum. I had these two extra from another area and thought they'd fill in nicely around the base of the bird bath, but they're a little clashy at the moment with the coral dianthus. I have a huge tray of purple alyssum growing in the house that will finish off this bed with a thick front border of purple. Have I mentioned this is my most challenging bed? This is our fourth summer here, and I've been struggling and amending until now. Fingers crossed I did enough work to keep these plants alive and thriving in this area!

I'm finally getting some pots planted up, and I'm particularly happy with this one 🤩. This is actually one of a pair flanking the east entrance to the patio. Superbells, purple fountain grass, dichondra (hiding on the other side) and ornamental oregano should make for a lovely vignette. What are your promising pot combos so far? 🌺

Lady's Mantle has become one of my favorite plants. It does equally well on the part shade, eastern side of our house as it does in a western-exposure full sun area down the street. It has interesting leaves, a tidy shape, and it's well behaved! Even without blooms, it's a welcome green mound early in the season! 🤗

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