Transforming my Backyard into a Secret Garden- Part 1
Love my backyard, but I got tired of keeping up with the grass; and, after a rainstorm it turned into a lake! I decided to completely get rid of the grass and transform it into a beautiful, peaceful flower garden retreat. I would not only be adding soil to the low spots which will help redirect and absorb the water, but I would create a beautiful space where I would much rather spend my time with the flowers and plants than cutting the grass :) Huge undertaking, but I was psyched up for it!
I used a technique known as "lasagna gardening"- I did not pull up the grass! I covered all of the grass (and weeds!) with newspaper, cardboard or paper yard refuse bags- that was the first layer. Second layer, I topped that with a garden soil mix (topsoil, organic compost and peat). The third layer was the mulch. I was able to start planting my flowers and vines when there were no more frost advisories. While waiting for the weather to warm up, I started collecting the seedlings I wanted to plant. I also started growing some flowers from seeds. (I had an ENTIRE back yard to fill with flowers!!!) I planned my secret garden layout and I couldn't wait until I could actually start planting my flowers! At the end of May of that first year, I dug in.
For a more detailed description of the process, please visit my post http://ivylore.hubpages.com/hub/creating-garden-magic
(To see more here at Hometalk, please view "Transforming my Backyard into a Secret Garden- Part 2 and "Scenes from my Secret Garden"). Abracadabra, let the magic begin!
Best natural weed killer!
covering with newspaper and cardboard was too cumbersome (plus I ran out!) I began using the brown paper yard waste bags. This was much easier!
I also began growing some flowers from seeds since I would not be doing any planting until the threat of freezing would pass. In Michigan, that's not usually until late May :0
All the work was definitely worth it! This photo and the following were taken this past season (2014) -which was the next full season after I had begun this project! It has provided so much beauty and joy!
You can see more pictures of my garden and the plants and flowers I have in my garden in my other posts here on Hometalk. Thanks for viewing!
This is my secret garden today (June 2015)
June 2015
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When I lived in Lansing Michigan in the 1970s, earliest frost free date was June 1,and we even saw one year an ice storm/blizzard after that! We kidded Michigan summer was known as '3 months of bad sledding'
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I just found your post. I wish I had seen this idea 25 years ago! I did use newspaper under my mulch 4 layers, also some cardboard so I spent the entire year saving newspapers so I would have enough to put under my pickup load of mulch that I hauled in yearly! It sure made for less weeds and more flowers! One of the things that I did was plant my spearmint alongside my grass. My husband at first didn’t like it because it did grow out into the lawn. But when I told him, that I liked the fragrance when he mowed, he said that he did too! Problem solved. Then I planted Yarrow also beside the lawn. It too grew out into the lawn. Again he objected until I told him, to just mow over it unless it was blooming, and when it stopped blooming, mow over it again. Again, Problem solved. It wasn’t long before he decided he really liked my new method of growing flowers! All these years later, how is you lovely garden growing?
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Hi Carey. I started my garden in 2013 and have kept it up all these years. It still is beautiful and a refuge for us. It still requires a lot of work because as you know, weeds still seem to find a way to grow among all of the perennials. And all of my ground covers spread so much that I am constantly trimming them back. But it is all worth it to enjoy the beauty it brings. Thanks for sharing!
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Frequently asked questions
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What an awesome idea. We have a spot in our yard that is low!!! Just might need to use your idea in that spot!!! What do you do about watering all your flowers? Sprinklers maybe????
Are You into having an area for growing fruits & vegetables? I'd £OVE to do That too!
When u plant things do u have to dig below the cardboard and bags?