The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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Last week, I wrote about my efforts to expand one of my garden beds and I could immediately sense that you were all deeply riveted. Seriously, is there anything more exciting and visually stimulating than watching the progress of someone digging? Don’t say anything, I already know the answer … it is a resounding “no”.
And then I realized I left you hanging without follow up photos of how things look today. How friggin unfair is that? I am supposed to give the people what they want, and they want more photos of cut-out beds (research shows it). One day I’ll grasp the concept of supply and demand. 
So without further ado, I give you updates of my work, my magical turf diggin work:
As a refresher, here we were as of last week:      

And here we are as of today:

Other worldly right? I kid you not, I stared at my work for hours on end, and photographed it like a newborn child. Curved beds are a thing of beauty and may they never go out of style or lose appeal. They warm my heart.

There is nothing better than a newly dug or expanded garden bed (assuming it is curved). New opportunities to plant and create and dream big. Even if we are only talking about a 4 to 5 foot extension. The possibilities are endless and the mind is ready to be stimulated.

What to add in front of my purple coneflowers and russian sage:

What groundcovers to contrast with my blooming Yarrow:

Maybe some new Carex to mix in with the other ornamental grass I already have in this bed:

The kind of stuff that keeps me visiting garden centers during my lunch breaks at work.

The kind of stuff that has me drawing diagrams while I’m watching TV at night.

The kind of stuff that makes me believe that I am an artist.

And to top it all off, the path from my driveway through this new bed and into my backyard is lined with stepping stones that I saved from my great aunt’s property before it was destroyed by the new owners:

I walked on these same stones when I was a child in her creepy, yet ridiculously exciting and entertaining backyard in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. I think about those times each and every step I take into my backyard.
Now I’ve given you what you wanted with more still to come.
You’re welcome.
John    
       



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8 Responses

  1. My edger is my best friend!
    I love garden beds with curves…
    Love the story about the stepping stones…:o)

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

  5. Curved beds are a thing of beauty and they are the only way to go. Most of mine are lined with brick and when I expand I spend hours running up and down the stairs so I can view the curves from upstairs windows and get them just right. Oh, and thanks for the reminder-it’s been a few weeks since I visited a nursery on my lunch hour.

  6. John,
    Great job and great look! I always check with DH to make sure he can mow around the bed before the final dig/layout. Is the mulch colored black or what is it? There are some nice dwarfy monarda that would look great in a drift in front of your cone flowers. Have fun putting it all together!
    Best to you,
    Shenandoah

  7. I have some curved garden beds, too! The edger comes in handy every year!! But your enthusiasm has me wanting more, John!!
    A good excuse for me to extend for more garden space, minus the
    lawn!
    Anyway, liked the story regarding your great aunt’s stepping
    stones. These shall hold special memories!:)

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