Last Fall this compost area was flattened for a garden. Now, what to plant in it this spring?
January in the Rockies is cold, sometimes snowy, and definitely non-gardening weather. It’s too early to start seeds in the sunroom, the ground is too frozen to dig in, and while many parts of the country have beautiful blooms already, the gardens here are happily sleeping. My gardening fingers are itching to do something plant related, so off to the drawing board I must go. Luckily I have a whole new garden area to design. Last fall I spread out the very large compost pile I’d been tending and got it ready to receive winter snow. Now I have this wonderful area underneath the Ponderosa Pines and Gambel Oak, filled with soil rich with nutrients from the compost. Slightly sloped, this garden area is large enough to support a combination of ground covers, perennials and shrubs. So the question becomes “What to do, what to do?”
A high alpine meadow would look wonderful, wouldn't it? But there's not enough sun in this area to support it.
My garden design mind is conflicted at the moment. I could use this space for so many things. I would really like more herbs for making my natural body products, and there are plenty of native plants that fall into the herb category. Making an herb garden would provide lots of flowers for pollinators, plant material for me, and visual appeal all at the same time.
Echinacea are beautiful natives that are also medicinal herbs. They grow in part shade in other areas of my yard, so would be a great addition to the new garden.
Calendula are not native to my area, but are wonderful herbs that self-seed and would provide a quick fill in. Not to mention calendula is one of the best herbs for soothing your skin.
So many thoughts running through my head! Time to look through some gardening books, read through some of the many great posts here on Wildlife Garden relating to native plants, and comb through the 1000′s of pictures on my computer. After all, what else does a gardener have to do in January in the Rockies?
© 2012 – 2013, Kathy Green. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Kathy Green
Kathy my garden sleeps as well here in central NY even though there is little snow. I am busy planning areas as well to redo or add to, but the gardening itch led me to seed start greens in the basement to use this winter and soon to start a few annuals that can go out in late March. I love the area you are contemplating. My sister has a cabin in N AZ and has the same gorgeous trees.
Here’s one vote for some calendula. I know, they are not native, but they ARE rich in nectar for pollinators and the bright orange and yellows look so nice dotted in and around other perennials and grasses….and like you said, they are useful herbs. There – I’ve justified it for you
Ellen Sousa recently posted..When Life Gives You Storm Damage, Make Habitat!
My garden’s not sure what it wants to do, but I still can’t get planting…and I’m feeling the itch myself! Every seed catalog is like porn.
UrsulaV recently posted..I came, I saw, I composted!
I vote for going with the herb garden, with food for the pollinators and color for you!
Kathy @nativegardener recently posted..Top 5 Favorite Posts from 2011
No sleeping here. As a matter of fact I mowed the dog’s area this week (ok, I was a little remiss in doing it when it was suppose to be done in Nov).
As for your dilemma? I say go with the herb for your business…..CASH CROPS! and they sure look pretty too!
Loret recently posted..Happy Holidays