Thursday, April 18, 2013

Herb Garden Update


Herb Garden Raised Beds - April 2013
The herb garden has 10 beds, 8 of which have assigned themes with the 2 front beds left for annuals and future themes. This spring we are moving forward by beginning to gather and plant some of the herbs.
Last fall the raised beds were built and installed then Master Gardeners filled the beds with horse manure donated by the 4-H riding center and top soil.


Barbara Petrucci has plans for the Fragrance garden that include a Zéphirine Drouhin climbing rose  on a wrought iron obelisk surrounded by lavender and lemon thyme edging. In the back of the garden, Jean Schlecht is planning a separate bed with a variety of mints.


Yarrow 'Paprika'/Craft & Woad (blue dye)/Dye

Two gardens straddling the center bed will be a Dye garden with plants used to dye materials and a Craft garden featuring plants with flowers and foliage used for craft projects. I am overseeing these two gardens and will post a separate post on this blog about those plants.

Hops
Two wooden obelisks will be placed in the back left and right corners. The Culinary/Cooking/Household garden overseen by Sue McMorris will use one for an interesting hops vine and the Historic-Roman, Monastery and Biblical beds, overseen by Jerry Lewis, will use the other for beautiful passionflower vines.


Passion Flower Vine


Many plants are from the previous herb garden, cared for by Karen Brown and held over for our use. Some plants are being shared from other demo and Master Gardeners’ own gardens.





In addition, the garden will be home to a bluebird house and two wood slat benches rescued from the barn and refurbished.


Come by in a few weeks, sit awhile. Relax, enjoy the s-l-o-w process of the beds taking shape.

3 comments:

  1. What did you use to treat the wood for the beds? I love the deep color! I can't wait to see the pictures you post as it grows up! Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Di-Zee,

      Thanks for your comments. We also have other demo gardens at our Franklin Farm location- perennial, drought-tolerant, pollinator, native plants.

      The stain we used was a semi-transparent wood stain (exterior)Spice Cabinet. It cleans up with water. We will use it on the wooden obelisks as soon as we get a patch of warm weather all in a row!

      Carol Kagan

      You can see all the S-W colors at http://www.sherwin-williams.com/home-builders/color/find-and-explore-colors/stain-colors/exterior-stains/deckscapes_exterior_waterborne_semitransparent_deck_stain/

      Delete
  2. "Spice Cabinet" - how appropriate. Intentional, or serendipitous? Either way, cool.

    ReplyDelete