Pulled out the front two plants infected with powdery mildew. They had no developing pumpkins yet. It's been a couple days, and now it appears to be spreading. I filled in some of the empty spaces with spare coneflower plants.
Some of the developing pumpkins
One of the sunflowers at the front row. This is going on the fifth year of collected seed from this variety.
Orange cosmos have bloomed on some of the inside rows. Some of the seedlings didn't make it. Only one or two nasturtiums appear to have sprouted.
Wow it certainly has come along lovely. Would love to see more pics. Shame about the mildew, I too have had the same problem but on my lupins, and now one of my clematis seems to have it too. Your sunflower is gorgeous. Seeing everyone's is making me want to grow some next year
What a brilliant project - love what you have done 😍. It looks so lush now, compared to rather sterile before. Loved seeing the transformation happen with the photo diary 😁
How are your neighbours now? Has the laughing 😂 turned to admiration 🤩 yet?
I wanted to say as a hiker to hiker, please don't take rocks from nature... but I see I am late and I guess in Canada it doesn't matter as much as here in Europe, where the vast and wild countryside is rare.
The garden looks lovely, I like vegetables in front gardens. But it will be hard to maintain, so much harder than the lawn. The clover won't suppress all weed but it will suppress some flowers and vegetable plants.
Ericaheather Will try to get more up soon. Just did a lot of weeding today to 'head off' the dandelions so to say We just had a really good rain, and it gave me a good idea of what needs moving, and what would work to replace it.
chicky The way I see it, happiness comes from within. I'm sure they'll come around eventually.
edhelka I'm not sure the legality of collecting rock anymore. Things have changed a lot in Canada in the past ten years. The reality is that we don't get out much anymore, and will probably need to find a supplier. It would have been nice to fill it with mementos though.
We are dedicating most of our space to fruit and veg. With the way global food supply is going, it seems like a wise choice. (I try to keep light-hearted about it, but it is truly an alarming situation.)
It is nice to grow our own, but I also love supplying the birds and bugs with their much needed habitat. They certainly show their appreciation. Pollination is substantially improved by companion planting with flowers. It is clear in the plants with multiple pumpkin growth. They all border along the edge of the flower bed, or grew along beside the magnolia tree.
These were the original design ideas I wanted to go with for the front garden. In time, the current design may move closer to this feel.
Photo is for the curving path design, not the planting. A circular stopping point with a bench close to the house, a little ahead of the south side gate (that leads into the back yard).
This is the planting that I am drawn to. Cool, calming blues, whites, and purples. A bit of a wild look, with lots of shape contrast.
This is what I have: Definately have the wild look down pat.
I planted 2 packets of purple coneflower this year. None have appeared. None! Everyday I find another fuzzy coneflower seedling popping up somewhere-all self-seeded. I fear I pulled a lot out when I purged the invasive campanula (bellflower). The bellflower just reseeded itself to the south fence btw and I can't pull it out because there was excess cement dumped there at some point.
I purchased White Blazing star. It has come in bright pink/purple. As I go along, I move certain colors into other beds. There is Nicotiana in all different colors popping up all over. I found goldenrod growing along the side of the road and after research, pulled some out to grow for next year. I have some in a pot and some as a bouquet. It looks amazing when it has gone to seed. I think it will go really well planted with the coneflower. The shape will really pop. I'm thinking it will go well in the front garden where it's too dry for anything else.
You have to admit it is a beautiful ocean of yellow, red, pink and purple though. It will be an absolute joy to tackle next spring, having spent this season immersing myself in learning it top to bottom.
Have just seen this, am adicted to "before" and "after" shots, well done, was interested, and surprised that I reconise the plants you are using. I supose I thought in Canada, you would ue entirely diferent plants to us in the UK. I imagine a "sod cutter" is what we call a rotivator? Did you use a turf cutter first?
Nanny Beach We call it aSod cutter here, but it is a turf cutter. When it was cut I rolled it up and pushed it into the back of the wagon. (Fortunately it is the 'dump cart' design and I could tilt it back up and lock it in place for transport.)
Most all of the plants we use in our gardens were introduced by 'England'/the UK Goldenrod was a surprise to me when I researched it. It is native to Canada, and was brought overseas and prized in the UK for a time. They consider it an invasive species in Germany, as it took over when planted with other wildflower varieties.
The only difference I find is our winters are colder, and our summers can get dryer. Most of the plants-barring Agapanthus-that I see on UK gardening shows are hardy to zone 5. It's too bad...I really admire the Agapanthus.
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How are your neighbours now? Has the laughing 😂 turned to admiration 🤩 yet?