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Gardening
is Genetic
Although I grew up with
parents who had huge perennial gardens, I hated them. Gardens meant weeding in the hot
summer sun, digging while listening to other kids playing. My parent's beautiful Roses,
Delphiniums, Iris, and Foxgloves did not excite me. There comes a time in one's life when one's genetic disposition
catches up with them.
 One spring day I was walking past my house and noticed
the sad piece of dirt between me and my neighbor. This semi-shady area on the right side
of the property is somewhat hidden by a 50' Holly tree. The soil was yellow hardpan, so
dry and clayey that it wouldn't even grow weeds.
I had to do something. After much thought, I realized that the
most attractive and effective solution was a (gulp) garden. This was the first garden that
Matthew created for me, the one that started it all. (It is, therefore,
his fault, not mine!)
This was a backbreaking project. We amended this 20x50
bed with top soil, lime, peat moss, and compost. Matthew rototilled down almost
12". For his efforts, this garden is named "The NMI Memorial Garden"
because Matthew has 'No Middle Initial.'
 Within a few months the soil was dark and rich and full
of earthworms. Anything that went into this soil flourished. I started subscribing to
garden book clubs, bookmarked all the garden web sites, and became a walking encyclopedia
of garden advice. I was hooked.
This first garden is the reason I thought I had a
green thumb. |
Quick Solutions: Seldom Best
It sounded sooooo good, quick, and easy, and after
all, I had a green thumb. God hates arrogance. I
had several other beds going well, but the back yard remained lawn. While reading through
one of my
garden magazines in 1996, I found an article called The article described a technique for creating gardens without the
backbreaking effort spent rototilling and amending.
This approach called for spreading a thick layer of newspaper on
the lawn, covering it with landscape fabric, then mulching. Without sunlight to sustain
it, the grass died and decomposed in a few months. (I also added amendments
below the initial newspaper layer.)
Above
right is the pine garden after four years. Plants are
growing, but are not as lush as in NMI. At least the Oakleaf
Hydrangea is happy there and is about to burst into bloom.
 At
left, the side bed after one year. Particularly because of our recent draughts, I
have lost many of the early plantings
in these beds - but very few in NMI. I guess there's something to be said for sweat
equity.
Today, after four years, I have
problems amending the soil because of the landscape fabric. As
these gardens
die off, I will re-dig them -- the right way! |
