In February of 2023, a stroke of inspiration (most likely brought on by winter doldrums) told me to start planning a new garden space at the farm. Growing flowers in rows was starting to feel like an assembly line that was crushing my creativity, so I thought that the solution may be to designate a small square of space to create somewhat of a cottage garden - complete with a little stone path, vine wall and teepee, flowering perennials, and annuals sown throughout them.
So as winter began to fade, the garden plan was born. I kept the overall vision simple by choosing a mix of about 10 varieties of plants that I would repeat throughout the space, and all was installed by April 1. It was a hopeful space and in my dreams it was sure to become a lush and gorgeous getaway spot.
However, by the end of the season, this is what I was left with:
September 2023- not much better than April 1, 2023
The result was depressing and slightly defeating, but as gardeners do, I had to assess what I did wrong - and when I realized the biggest mistake I’d made (and fixed it this spring), the result at the same time as last year’s failure was this:
September 2024 - I chose a mainly green and white color scheme, which created a nice sense of calm within the space
So what was it that made such a drastic difference?
Location, location, location.
In 2023, I had failed to realize that WHERE I put the garden was just as important as what I put in it.
My initial thought had been to tuck the garden away from the hub of the farm so as to create a quiet zone I could escape to when a break from the grind was needed.
In theory, it made sense to have a spot that completely took me away from the never ending tasks of of the planting, weeding, harvesting, and floral designing.
In reality, those tasks are imperative to my daily routine and are always at the forefront of my mind - so putting a project so far outside the realm of where most of my existence at the farm was happening set it up for failure.
Very quickly the space feel victim to the old adage “out of sight, out of mind,” and demise ensued.
So by making the decision to start over in an entirely different spot - right next to the main field at the farm - I set myself for success in two ways:
Not only did I remember to actually take care of it because I walked by it frequently, but I also remembered to ENJOY it on a daily basis.
When a lush green space with a little chair is something you’re forced to see, at some point you’re going to let it beckon you in for a moment. I’ve stood in that space almost every day to simply watch the bees or follow the vine trails. Even if it’s just been for five minutes, it’s been five minutes of calm I was gifted thanks to the change of location.
In summary, please learn from my mistake and be sure to choose a garden spot you simply can’t ignore - even if it’s a patio garden, make sure it’s a patio that is part of your daily existence!
By choosing a space that’s already part of your day to day life, the garden will quickly become an enjoyable part of your routine instead of an added chore you’re likely to neglect. Then all the effort and time spent in tiny daily time spans will be greatly rewarded in the form of a beautiful space that you (and the pollinators) will never forget to enjoy.
Which brings me to one more quick tip to help give you success (and take some work off your back in the spring): if you can find the time, starting a garden by planting perennials this fall will not only help lay a foundation for which you can plant annuals amongst next spring, but it will also allow those perennial roots to strengthen so they won’t have to be babied in the spring. You’ll gain about 6 months of growth by planting in fall versus in the spring, all thanks to giving them a nice time to rest while the magic is happening underground.
Favorite perennials for planting in October and November include peonies, hellebores, flowering shrubs (forsythia, mock orange, ninebark, abelia), and clematis vine.
Hope that’s helpful, and as always, you can schedule a garden consult if you’re hoping for more customized advice on how to create a garden that thrives and inspires.