I've never been a huge fan of mulch. So much money, so much hard work... AND, you have to do it every year! I usually go for ground cover. There's an upfront expense, but it goes on and on and on giving! Every now and again though, specifically when I'm starting up a new part of a garden, I will use mulch to get things established and keep them under weed-control and to improve the soil over time.
A week or so ago, I started a big new project in the garden. Early in the spring, I cut a small bed into what was most recently grass, and discovered the ancient remains of an old raised bed. This is a spot that gets lots and lots of sun all day, and as at the time I was gifted a beautiful new rose bush with apricot blooms, it seemed a perfect place for flowers, herbs, veggies... you name it! I decided that one small bed along that entire expanse was not enough. Not one to tolerate a lack of projects, I decided to turn the entire fence line into a curving border garden.
How I Did It:
1. My first step was to put out a "materials wanted" post on our neighborhood recycling social media page. I put out a call for old bricks... and did the neighbors ever deliver! I picked up about 150 bricks that week!
2. Next, I cut a curving ditch where I wanted the border to be and put the bricks in as edging. 3. Lastly, I cut the remaining turf out of where the planting beds will be. Since that beautiful rose is already there, I've decided on a complementary color scheme of oranges and blues/purples for the new garden border. The fun of filling the beds will have to wait for next year though. THIS year, I'll be putting in mulch.
Here are some other jobs for the garden this week:
As they dry and turn brown, collect seeds from the tall Phlox for sharing and sowing this autumn. They like to be covered with soil and to chill during the winter to germinate.
Deadhead Zinnias. This will encourage more blooms as the season draws down through September.
Pinch back the flowers on the Basil plants to keep it full and producing lots of leaves.
Dig up mature Iris rhizomes and split them. Spread them to new sunny corners of the garden. Be sure to keep the root fairly close to the surface of the soil, they like to be warmed by the sun.
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