Planning new gardens

It has been a long time since I posted, but the time has been spent dreaming and planning this years gardens. Azaleas have bloomed, the daffodils have come and gone, and trees that we weren't so sure would survive last years late freeze are doing beautifully. Newly planted are butterfly bushes and several purple coneflowers around an old stump in the back yard. Last years herb garden has been plowed over allowing us to enlarge the vegetable garden, and it is looking for a new home. This year I am doing things a little different. I haven't always planned my gardens, and have been disappointed in the way they have turned out. While most herbs do require full sun, I found that the mints for my teas could have taken a little shade. This year spearmint, catnip, apple mints, and pineapple mints, will be put in pots and set beside the shed where they will be a little protected from the hot sun in our backyard. I am planting only those things I will use. Chives, calendula (for teas and bath products), lavenders, comfrey, chammomile, will be going into the new garden. I don't cook, and the oregano, parsley, and basil will not return this year. The Pineapple sage has been placed at the edge of the garden, near my butterfly bush and echinaccea, since these all attract butterflies. I plan to create more "garden rooms", and have a place to get out of the sun that covers our backyard for most of the day. Stay tuned for pictures that will check out my progress, and see if I "stick" to my plans.

If you would like help in planning your garden, get some great ideas, and recipes, you can purchase a garden planner from my website www.gardenchick.com/garden-decor.html