Rock Gardening and Rock Borders

Okay! I have been soooo busy since I finally got settled into our new place. I have only been working on one section this whole time tho. The sunny area off the drive and to the side/back of our little home.

I searched out in the field and found a ton of rocks, literally. So I made use of them. The area that I worked on, had no plant life other than grass, non edible weeds and raspberry canes. The canes stayed the rest went.

So heres the tour.
I'll start with the spot against the house. There was already an rhubarb plant there so it stayed and I planted around it. Now there isn't much that I planted that you can eat or drink but there is kamomile, hyssop and then flowers. All is just starting to break thru the dirt, so I hope it won't be too too long now. Also this is a dedication bed for what i believe in and in honor of what i believe. At each edge of the borders, against the house is also planted erterblomst, i don't know the english for that but loosely translated as pea flowers. non edible. I'm hoping they will climb the edge of the house and add some color. I have little nails all ready for them to hook on to.





Next is the main area I have worked on, and it is all edible veggies and herbs. watercress, spinach for my father-in-law, dill and chives so far. I'm still working on it. lol. This took alot of time. It was only me and a wheelbarrel, since KB works alot of long hours. Balder supervised most of the time, but when he wasn't there, it was a free for all.

Heres how I did it. First i didn't weed or take out the old plant life since that will be good compost later on. I then added wood chips from over in the field that the community threw away. (Gasp) I then put a layer of good dark dirt with lots of worms and bug life in there, then a top layer of bag dirt.



I then continued to place rocks how I wanted the area to look.



slowly building up and around the dug out border.







View from the other end.



In the long end is also spinach, romaine lettuce, radish, cucumber planted along the light pole and the pea flower planted at the very very end near the pole. The section next to the raised rock bed is empty so far, only because i have peppers and tomatoes waiting to go in there.

So the over all look is this. Nothing into something, and i get to play in the dirt!



My tiny little greenhouse is waiting for me to empty it and plant the toms and peppers and a few herbs are left to get out also.



I have more herbs on the window sills that will eventually be put somewhere.

So there you have it, the reason I have been soooo busy. I love it!!!

 

You HAVE been busy Biita! It looks wonderful and I love how you used things others threw away! I'd gasp too if I found a pile of mulch! Great job!

 

Wow. That's a lot of "playing" you did! I really like your rock borders and the interesting shapes you created. What a unique design!! It will be fun to see how it looks as things grow in.

Biita, btw, thanks to you, everything I look at I think... I wonder if I could eat that or brew that! Thanks.

 

Thanks Netty!! I just hate when others waste good stuff. When put to use, wonders happen and it was all free. Thats the best part of it. If they only relised,,,lol.

DB, you very welcome. One of my goals is not to depend on the grocery store. Ofcourse living in Norway, we have to, to a point. The earth gives us so much, and its all for the taking. And 9 times out of 10 more nutritious. If our ancestors did it and survived, why can't we, benifit from their knowledge and make sure its all passed down. Just make sure you do your research, even if its good for you, it might not be good in large quanities.

 

I am still in the thinking and wondering stage, really, but long term, see some potential for change in my yard. It's been gardened in the same way for years and years... My back fence neighbor is a fun neighbor to have -- he's experimenting with a lot of herbs and making wines, tonics and teas out of things in our yards.

 

I love your rock border for your gardens, nicely done. I can see why you been so busy, your yard is looking good too.

 

DB, maybe you can watch what he is doing and learn from sight as well as learning from here and the net. Hands on is always the best way. lol. my garden will change 10 times before i'm thru, then I will still be thinking what i can do instead.

Toni have you thought maybe using logs. Won't last as long, but will make awesome mulch as it breaks down. Then you can keep expanding and adding new logs. I almost did that with the rock garden, but I was informed it was wood for winter heating,,,lol. I will not touch that at all.

lol, Balder doing anything besides craving attention and eating would be a miracle in itself. That is the most spoiled dog i know. He even prefers the car to walking. What a dog!!

 

Thanks Petunia, still a long ways to go!

 

Now, that looks very nice! Well done to you and the wheelbarrow. I can't wait to see what it will look like when things start growing in there.

You planted sweetpeas by the way. (Heck, I'm the Norwegian bred and born here, and even I know what erteblomst is called in English. )

 

Sweetpeas, (slapping forehead) duh, i do know that,,,lol. Okay, okay, i went a little swedish there,,,had a red hair moment...lol.

Ahh okay Toni, i see now. That would probably happen here too. I still think like i'm up in Lofoten.

The rocks are very big, and they sure did give me some sore muscles too. lol. All part of gardening i suppose.

 

I love rock borders, I have them around my gardens also. I about cleaned out the woods behind my house getting all that I could. Most are covered in moss which adds a little character to them. Your garden looks really good with the rocks around them. Can't wait to see what you plant in there.

 

I so love your rock garden. Good job,Biita.