Exhausted. I pretty much know that it’s been a worthwhile day when I am feeling this way. My legs ache, my feet are throbbing (though in a somewhat comfortable way), and my head is heavy and ready for sleep. I am, to be redundant, plumb tired.
But the good news is that all this exhaustion is due to laboring away in our backyard, digging and digging, to build our organic vegetable garden’s raised bed! Since we are blessed (no, not really) with Virginia’s clay soil, we’re attempting to keep good, rich soil that we mix in, inside the garden.
At the same time, our townhouse backs to shaded woods, so the kinds of vegetable plants that will thrive is a bit limited. I love beautiful gardens though, so I am researching and talking the ear off of anyone who knows a thing or two about planting to learn what plants thrive in shade and are pleasing to the eye. Tonight I planted hastas, a blue hydrangea, and another ground cover whose name escapes me. Also, I created two container gardens for mint, oregano, and parsely, separating the mint and parsely from the others and each other since the experts tell me that both herbs spread fast and need a lot of space. And just as a side note, earlier this spring, I planted lemon thyme in a container and it is thriving and smelling delicious.
I certainly could learn a thing or two more about gardening, especially for those growing in shaded areas. What do others think? Any suggestions on what will do well in an organic (I’m aiming to plant native/local plants) vegetable/flower garden? I’m also trying to keep the herb garden going and expanding for my husband’s culinary interests. Love to hear suggestions . . .
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May 14th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I’m no expert but I think you need to add an oregano, a basil, and a curly leaf parsley plant to your mix.. straight from my garden! (ok, seriously the parsley is taking over my beautiful strawberry plant, it need a home!)
May 15th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Gosh! Garden advice and free herbs too! What a deal. I’ll gladly add some of your herbs to our garden. I guess I’ll just have to find a separate container for the curly leaf parsely though.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Bleeding hearts do well in shade. You can plant the tuber in the fall. I also love annual impatiens in the shade. I don’t know much about vegis in the shade… sorry! My garden is FULL sun and it’s a struggle to keep the soil moist.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I just re-read what you wrote… Good thing you’re keeping the mint separate. For a few years, mint had totally taken over my mom’s garden by their pool. The only benefit was that the dogs loved to lay in it and it smelled beautiful! I love love love blue hydrangeas, but mine are turning purple because our well water is basic. I just hope they don’t go all the way to pink.
I hope you’re planning to add some basil, because it’s so easy to make pesto and freeze it. I’ve planted some purple basil this year, with plans to make purple pesto. I’m not sure how it does in the shade, though.
Ferns also do well in moist soil in the shade, and they can add a pretty, frilly effect to your landscape.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Oooh! I am so excited. I just turned the soil inside the raised bed and added organic garden soil. My hydrangea looks a bit sad and droopy though, so I may have to move her.
I love ferns too, so I may add them in the shaded garden area that is next to the raised bed. I will post pictures as this project moves along. Thanks again for all your suggestions! Oh, and I would love to hear more.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Hydrangeas a very thirsty. Make sure to water thoroughly if their leaves look droopy and sad. She’ll be OK!
May 15th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Wow! Yes, you’re right. I watered her a couple of hours ago (just in case) and she’s perky again. Thanks again!
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