Yard and Garden Plans and Dreams

[jennythereader]

Given that we're actually starting to take baby steps towards homeownership, I decided that I should actually write down some of my thoughts and the things I want to do once I have land to do them on. Some of these are realistic, while others are pipedreams or things that will take a couple of decades to pay off.

- As soon as possible after we move in, I want to build a dozen raised garden beds. I think 1 yard by 2 yards will be the optimum size for me, but I still need to figure out how high to make them. I'll start planting in one or two of them right away if it's the right time of year, and the rest I'll fill with scrap wood, brush, and soil for the hugelkultur method. I figure I'll add one or two beds to cultivation each year until I reach as many as I can handle.

- In the first round of planting I'm going with onions, garlic, green peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and maybe potatoes and hot peppers. Not sure what I'll add to later rounds.

- Stay organic. What's the point of growing my own food if it isn't going to be any better than what I can get at the store?

- Use local heirloom varieties whenever I can find them. Again, what's the point of growing my own food if it's no better than from the store or if it's not well suited to local conditions?

- I'd like to end up with 6 apple trees, 3 tart (pie) cherry trees, 3 sweet cherry trees, an edible crabapple tree, and a pear tree. This may take a few years.

- A strawberry bed.

- A grapevine.

- A raspberry/blackberry patch.

- I hate lawns that are cut so close to the ground that they look shaved. I like grass that's long enough to move when the wind blows.

- I'm also not fond of lawns that are solid blocks of green. I like multiple shades of green, and even some color.

- I'd like to make a mix of native grass seed, violet seeds, clover, and a few fragrent herbs, and use that to fill in any bare patches on the lawn. I'd have no objection if the entire lawn ended up being things that smell lovely.

- A few chickens

- I'd like to grow the majority of the vegetables we eat, using saved seeds as much as I can

- a peach tree or two. I know it will take more effort than the other trees I have listed.

- a fruit salad tree, but only if I do the grafting myself.

- a patio and fire-pit that are comfortable for large groups

- interesting sculpture in out of the way corners

- a milk goat

- a rose garden. All varieties choosen for 1)their hardiness, 2)how well suited their blossoms and hips are for making food or cosmetics, and 3)how fragrant they are.

I also have a yard and garden board over on pinterest.

This list will get edited and added to, and the individual items will get changed and expanded upon. Some things might even get deleted.

Comments

[cbpotts.livejournal.com]

My lawn is growing in in creeping thyme and I really recommend it: one 4' pot has grown to approximately 25 square feet over 2 years, and that's being mowed periodically. Lovely purple flowers in season.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

Thyme is one of the herbs I had in mind. :)

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

I'm envious! We're hoping to buy a home later this year, but around here everwhere has homeowner's associations so you can't just do whatever you want to your property, you need permission for everything. I doubt I'll want to jump through all their hoops, so it's container gardening for me... (and hope the critters don't get everything!)

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

"No homeowner's association" was, if not the first requirement on our list, at least in the top 5.

Being able to do what we want to our home is pretty much the main reason to own, rather than rent.

[lawchicky.livejournal.com]

I tend to say that I have a black thumb instead of a green thumb. The first year we were here, I grew all of my vegetables from seeds, and most of them died off. The tomatoes were most hearty. I got a few red peppers and no carrots. I'm at the point where we're growing very little this year because I'm frustrated with my results.

I HAVE had luck with berries. Strawberries grow like weeds, and I have a gorgeous blueberry bush which is full of berries now (they're not ready to be picked yet, but soon!)

I also planted a peach tree when we moved in. It's still not making edible peaches. Lots of tiny peaches this year, but they've fallen from the tree before getting fully ripe. Maybe next year!

Oh, and my roses are gorgeous every year! I want to plant some more of them this fall, since we cleared out some more beds from these old bushes and I want to fill in the beds with something hearty and pretty.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

I've never had much luck with indoor plants, but that's because I give them the wrong amount of water. That should be harder outdoors. I'm already having decent success with the potted stuff I have on my patio.

From everything I've read, peaches are hard to get fruit from this far north, but if you manage it they'll be amazingly good.

[lawchicky.livejournal.com]

I'll keep trying. I love fresh peaches. I promised the kids that we'll try to get to the local farm to do "pick your own peaches" since we still can't get any from our tree this year.

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

Now that will be a yard! A lot of work but so worth it in the end!

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

The trick will be to stick to individual projects, and recognize when I have as many of them as I can handle.