Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Coloring Outside The Lines

Coloring between the lines supposedly encourages eye-hand coordination.  My older sister, however, always encouraged us younger siblings, and later on, her own children, to color outside the lines.  She read that it encouraged creativity.  Therefore, growing up, we never colored between the lines!

I suppose now is the time to tell you that I have no eye-hand coordination, but I do have lots of creativity!

And so, when it comes to making new garden beds, I don't always put the edges in first.  I color first, then put the edges around the picture.  For example, the east bed:

I started this bed last winter, not really knowing how it would end.

Almost the same view - but notice the new edging now!

I knew I wanted three raised beds for roses, and put those in first.  This bed has very few evergreens, so the boxwoods around the raised beds will give it some winter interest.  Then I filled in around the raised beds with more roses, companions, shrubs, transplants, and few impulse purchases.  Golden euonymus surround a crape myrtle tree and the air conditioning unit in a semi-circle.  The hope is that in a few years, you will not be able to see all the mechanical elements in this bed, but service will still be accessible.

Let's walk around this bed.
It begins when you emerge through the arbor.

All this time, I really didn't know where the line would be drawn.  I had to put the arbor up in order to tie it into this bed.  And I wanted this bed to also tie into the foundation plantings on the other side.  So, finally, this summer, I was ready to edge.  I had drawn the picture and needed to put a line around it.

Southernmost raised bed.  Filled with Cupcake, Glamis Castle,
Charles Darwin, and La Marne roses

That's what I've been doing all summer.  Edging.

It's going to be nice to have an edge to this bed, finally!

I had several beds that needed the lines drawn.  In total, I've put in almost 400 ft. of edging this summer, with over 100 of it surrounding this one bed.

This is what you see from the gazebo.  It doesn't look large here,
but this bed is over 60ft long, and almost 40ft. wide at the center.

As you look at the pictures, you can tell that I have not finished getting the weeds and grass out near the edging.  I will be doing that over the next few weeks.

The middle raised bed holds Lion's Fairy Tale, Cream Veranda,
and Inocencia Vigorosa roses.

Donna at Gardens Eye View asks us to tell what Seasonal Celebrations we will be looking forward to this autumn.  I look forward to completing this part of my garden.  Finally.  Just a little more weeding and mulching, and I will be officially done.  Maybe it's not exactly the type of seasonal celebration one normally looks forward to, but it's one I will certainly celebrate.  I look forward to a bit of cooler weather to complete my project.  I look forward to sitting in the gazebo, drinking tea, and watching the butterflies.  And since the roses will be putting out their fall flush, it will seem as if they are celebrating, too.

The Northernmost raised bed holds the same roses as the Southernmost bed,
in mirror placement.

Beth at PlantPostings asks us to tell the Lessons Learned this past quarter.  Well, I think it's harder to put the edging in last.  From now on, I am going to try to put the edging in first.  I have worked hard this hot summer putting in edging that should have been put in this past spring, or even the spring before!  Sometimes the right way to do something is the right way because it truly is the easiest way.

Outside the raised beds, I've planted more roses, companion plantings,
shrubs, and yes - even a fig!

So, when will I be putting in another new bed?  I'm not sure.  It was suggested that I rest for one year, and not put in a bed next spring.

:(

At first, I resisted this idea.  However, after some contemplation, I think a year of maintenance, weed removal, and tweaking might just be what my garden needs.  Plus, I need to finish the catenary bed, directly across from this bed.

But, somehow, I just can't get over the feeling that it'll be a year of coloring between the lines.



50 comments:

  1. You are such an inspiration and I love the analogy of coloring ( or not) between the lines! This was my year to (try) not start any new beds but maintain what I have and....it's HARD, so good luck! Your post has reminded me that even when my gardens have gotten as far as yours have ( did I mention inspiration?) I will still probably be coming up with some new design for a bed....ah the hearts of gardeners! It is a joyous passion!

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    1. It really is hard to quit once you've gotten used to adding on every year. I know my garden needs a good year of maintenance, though, and I could probably do with a bit of a break, so we'll see if I can keep to that plan - or if I'll have to add another bed somewhere! Thank you for your sweet comments.

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  2. Hi, Just wanted to drop by and say HELLO. It's been a busy week/month --and just gonna get busier.

    Great advice to others... But--your yard/beds/edging looks great. I know it was alot of hard work though.. We have raised beds also --but ours are because the ground here is full of ROCK.....

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. It was a lot of hard work - something I had put off for much too long! But I'm so pleased to have finally finished that phase. It seems that every time I procrastinate, the job is not near as hard as I have in my mind, though!

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  3. I like your outlook, Holley. I remember as a kid trying so hard to stay in the lines. But the older I get, the more I see the appeal of coloring outside the lines. You amaze me with your creativity and adventurous spirit, Holley. Thanks for joining in the meme!

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    1. I always do things a little backwards in the garden. I should know better, and maybe this will teach me the lesson permanently!

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  4. Holley, you're pretty landscape designer! I hope you'll soon complete your project.

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    1. Thanks, Nadezda. It's extremely hot this week, so no work outside now. But by this autumn, I'm hoping it will look as good as in my imagination.

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  5. You've done great work! That "colouring thing" has sense!

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    1. :) Who would have thought that coloring outside the lines would have transferred over to gardening?!

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  6. You have a beautiful garden, i don't think it matters too much how it gets done, as long as it gets done.

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    1. Now, that's a good attitude! I'm going to look at it from this perspective from now on! Thanks!

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  7. Keep colouring outside the lines Holley! It's more fun that way and hones adventure and creativity :) You've done a great job so far with the beds, etc. Looks lovely already!

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    1. I have a bad habit of buying the plants first, then creating garden beds around them! It really is more fun to me that way!

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  8. Edging is some very hard work, but it always makes a big difference for the gardener. You will so love it next year.

    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. I think you're right, Cher - I'm going to be very pleased with it next year. Edging does make a big difference. Now it looks like a bed (even though still a weedy bed) instead of just something stuck out there! ;)

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks. I hope they hold up to the weather and the bugs!

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  10. I very much doubt your creative spirit will keep within the lines for a whole year, but then again perhaps it will give you new insights. Life would get boring if we didn't test it a little.

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    1. You might be right about not being able to color in between the lines for an entire year! That seems like a long time to me!

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  11. Oh, go ahead, put in another bed this spring. My garden also has a lot of edges. I've found that I like using shallow trenches best for my edges, then every few weeks I cut back the creeping grass etc. with the weed whacker.

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    1. I love edging made with trenches like that. It is the prettiest way to edge, in my opinion. Perhaps one day I'll give that a try!

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  12. I wrote a long comment but it seems to have disappeared. This is a test.

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    1. Oh, Carolyn, I'm sorry your comment was lost. I would love to hear what you had to say.

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  13. The edging looks great and most importantly perpendicular. I also have to remind myself to finish off a job before starting another one. Your big sister sounds fun. I'm guessing that she wasn't the one who advised you to have a rest.

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    1. I rarely finish a job before starting another one - in the garden, home, or work! And no, it wasn't my big sister that said to take a break. It was he who holds the purse strings! ;)

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  14. I was out there for a moment this morning thinking we needed edging for our beds also...

    I like your way of doing things, it's pretty interesting.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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    1. Definitely not the usual way to garden, but yes, quite interesting! :)

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  15. The edging looks really good and gives it that finished touch. Can't wait to see how the catenary bed progresses.

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    1. It is amazing how an edging can make a bed look finished, even with weeds in it! I can't decide whether to plant out the catenary bed this fall or this spring. Maybe a little of both! ;)

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  16. So glad to see there's someone else who doesn't always follow the garden rules. I've been stressing about a new section of garden and that I haven't really defined that area yet but went ahead and planted shrubs anyway. Seeing how well your area is turning out makes me realize it's all going to be okay :)

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    1. I'm glad to hear you, too, plant things without having a bed established yet! I have been too embarrassed to tell of my bad ways before now, but I figured I might as well 'fess up! I do almost all of them this way!

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  17. I like the look of edges around beds, it makes things tidy and I have used it a lot in my own garden. The edges also define areas in a way that plants alone can’t do. I also often buy plants first and then have the problem (joy!) of finding space for them after they have arrived. A garden is never finished, how boring would that be!

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    1. You know, Helene, you made me realize, that even without putting in a new bed next year (if I actually keep to that promise), you are so right - a garden is never finished, and I will have plenty to do with the garden I have already in place! :)

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  18. I always find edging a huge challenge. I know it's important to denote boundaries and structure, but for me the lines are written in sand and always changing. Maybe I should have done more colouring in between the lines - terrific metaphor!

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    1. Yes, I change the lines, too! When I started gardening, I would work up a plan, but now I just throw things out there, with a general idea in mind. I like both ways of doing things.

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  19. Looks good Holley! Your hard work (in the summer heat no less!!) has paid off!

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    1. I didn't dare wait until cooler temperatures, for fear I'd let another year go by without this bed having an edge! It was getting impossible to keep the grass from invading the entire thing!

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  20. I have been having the same trouble as Carolyn, with comments disappearing. It is frustrating because then bloggers don't know I visited. It is a WP problem, but Carolyn is having an issue compounded by the iPad which I use too. So here goes... so true on coloring outside the lines. It was always encouraged in art classes to be less precise, even to go so far as drawing a subject with out eyes closed. Or drawing them with one continuous line. Great exercises for hand/mind coordination, which translate into ALL aspects of design. In final architecture drawings though, being precise is paramount. But schematic designs are rough sketches, free and loose.

    Lovely garden design Holley, and good to edge the beds. Our company only ever hard-edges commercial jobs, rarely residential work. We kick-edge the beds for a natural look, but I can see with 400 feet why you might want greater weed control. And yes, the grass is a weed when it invades the beds.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Sorry to hear about your commenting problems. That is so frustrating, but I am glad to hear it's not Blogger's fault. I suppose I should call my garden plans "schematic designs". Sounds better, too! :) I love that natural look edging, but I just don't think it would work for me.

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  21. It's difficult to see from you photos but is the edging just lower than the level of the lawn to make mowing easy? I like the way you have raised beds and planting right up to them in places, different and interesting. Christina

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    1. The edging is halfway in the ground, and halfway sticking up. It doesn't make mowing easier, like a brick edging would, but mowing is not my job! I love when plants spill over the edging. You know, I'm beginning to realize why my husband hates to mow so!

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  22. Love your raised beds - so attractive and the border just finishes it off. It will get better every season!

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  23. I agree that a border finished off any garden bed in a nice way. And even with the weeds still inside this bed, the edging makes a nice difference!

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  24. Holley I love that you find gardening and especially completing these beds a celebration...gardening in the fall is a great time to do these projects and I will be out celebrating finally by doing some work in beds too...thx for joining in again!!

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    1. Completing these beds is a big celebration for me - I've been working on them for quite some time! I can't wait for the weather to cool just a little bit so I can be outside more. I hate when it gets so hot I can't enjoy working outside.

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  25. I like your idea of finding that resting period as autumn arrives. I am hoping to do that as well. Creating new beds is always exciting. We are also edging many of our beds because it helps with weeding and mulching.

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    1. I hate to put in edging, but it really does define a bed, and as you say, help with weeding and mulching. I have been thinking more about the year of resting from creating another bed. I think it will be good for my garden. Hopefully, I can tweak and perfect!

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  26. Raised bed looks really great! I believed that the key to happiness with flowers may depend on raised beds.Very beautiful garden Holley. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You are right - raised beds are an easy way to get just the soil you want!

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