This week was pretty stinkin’ productive. In fact, gardening wise, I think I got more accomplished this past week than any other since we’ve moved to the new house.
For starters, I finished pulling up all the English Ivy that was in the side yard. I actually LOVE ivy, but the people who lived here before us didn’t do such a great job of maintaining it properly, and the area was filled with weeds and scrappy looking plants that had clearly been choked out {by the ivy}. So I pulled it and planted a nice row of Leland cypress trees instead.
See where I’m standing? I think I am going to put in a {curved} row of blueberry bushes there. I have 6 on order from Raintree nursery and they are scheduled to arrive sometime in March. The raspberry and strawberry plants I ordered will need a little more sun, so I’m still on the hunt for the perfect spot for those.
I also flagged off the area where I plan to plant some sort of manicured hedge. We have a circular driveway and I thought it would look nice to have either a 2′ – 3′ boxwood, laurel or viburnum hedge to separate the driveway from the planting area. I’m leaning towards a dwarf laurel. I’ve seen a few other laurel hedges in the neighborhood and they really look nice. Clean, simple, and easy to prune. Plus, when I plant 2,000 daffodills and tulips this fall in that area, a green hedge will make a nice backdrop for them. 
While I was cleaning out the garage this week I found a bunch of anemone bulbs.
And planted them outside the office window. Pink, purple and white!
I also started broccoli, cabbage and kale seeds under grow lights.
Remember the lettuce seeds I planted a few weeks ago? It won’t be too long before we’ll be eating some homegrown salad.
And basil too!
The sage I started from seed is looking pretty darn good too. I think this is only the second time I’ve grown sage from seed and it always amazes me how easy it is to grow your own herbs. I plan on installing a herb garden later this spring and so far I have sage and oregano started in the house under lights.
How is YOUR garden doing these days?
Is it covered in snow, or are you able to get outside and put around a bit?
~Mavis wants to know.
This years garden is being sponsored by the awesome folks at Botanical Interests Seed Company. You can check out their website HERE, order their new 2015 Garden Seed Catalog, or see the seeds I’ll be growing in my garden this year HERE.
Up for a tour? Read about our behind the scenes tour of Botanical Interests Seed Company.
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Barb says
Don’t you dislike kale? Are you going to get chickens to feed it to?
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m growing it for my daughter. She loves it in smoothies. 🙂
Erika says
We’ve been starting to prep our spring garden here in AL, too. Mixed in some new compost to the raised beds, and put up a bug cover over one 4×8 bed (vine borers got all of our squashes last summer, and cabbage worms got our broccoli and cauliflower). I planted sugar snap peas, shelling peas, and onions (not next to each other) out in the garden this morning. Also started tomatoes, orange peppers, a few herbs, and lot of marigolds inside. Getting really excited about the growing season!
Mona says
I too found some bulbs in my garage this past week. Is it OK to plant them so late in the winter? Will the bloom this year?
Mavis Butterfield says
Were they sprouting? I got lucky and mine were not. If they are sprouting they’ll just be a little on the weak side.
laura says
all my gardening is in pots until I cam move into a bigger place but I have broccoli and cauliflower so far! the sweet pea seeds are soaking and can be planted after work tomorrow! there will be a few cabbages soon too!
Cindy Howard says
Hi Mavis! We used to have a HUGE clump of sage in the yard of our last house that would not only survive our zone 5b winters, but would also self-seed. Don’t ask me how, but one year my husband discovered that sage sprouts are delicious! Kinda peppery, like watercress. He loved to put them on sandwiches & even mix them into salads. Maybe you’d like to give them a try when you’re thinning. =)
Heidi P says
Hi Mavis, We have a dwarf boxwood hedge in the front of our house. We planted it about 17 years ago. We LOVE it. It always looks great. You won’t be disappointed.
The last week plus have been awesome here in the Pacific Northwest. I too got tons done around here including weeding my garden and cutting back our berry bushes. So happy. Looking forward to spring:)
Mavis Butterfield says
The weather has been great, I agree. And thank you for the comment about the boxwoods. A lady left a comment last night saying they are BORING. I happen to think they are very elegant. 🙂 And 17 years? They must be gorgeous!!!
janet says
Mavis, could you use the upper area that was going to be your Monticello veggie garden, and use it for fruit trees and berries? How about an arbor at the top of your stairs with kiwi, a beautiful entrance to the orchard.
Thanks for all your inspiration.
Ronnica, Striving Stewardess says
I planned my 2015 garden this past week myself. Unfortunately here in Denver I’m still a couple of months out even from starting stuff indoors. Still, I’m getting excited!
sarah says
I’m with Ronnica, I’m in RI and our last frost date is mid may. so safe tomato and pepper time is memorial day weekend. I have a list and a plan for what will be happening but won’t start until the beginning of march. instead of seeing green, I’m seeing lots of white in the garden areas.
Milissa says
I see that you are starting plants under grow lights. I have no natural light in my townhome, and do not have the money to invest in grow lights right now. Do you ever start any plants from seed outdoors?