Submitted by Joan Regan
I have to admit, I do like the look of some of the city gardens – so pristine, everything planned out, manicured and oh so neat – however a Cottage Garden has always seemed to draw me in. They’re more relaxed, colourful, almost to the point of messy, but the Cottage Garden with a bit of planning is for sure my “go to”. Love the “always been there” look of them. They’re happy looking gardens. A round garden with tall plants in the middle and other gardens tall mixed throughout. Then it’s just a spring to fall bloom with all their colour. Loving the “anything goes” of a Cottage Garden – lots of colour, different heights and varieties. If there happens to be too much purple in one corner, so be it.
I remember being on a Garden Tour years ago and one of their gardens was almost all yellow, they said “we have a purpley spring, a yellow summer and an anything goes autumn. An old, old farmhouse, off the grid, and it was breathtaking driving up their laneway.
Having a Cottage Garden doesn’t mean dig and plant, you still need a good base to start with. We gardeners all know there is not much soil up here on the Peninsula. Hint: do NOT use landscape fabric; it will be your worst nightmare down the road (voice of experience here).Instead use several layers of newspaper or cardboard, well overlapped, then pile on your soil. If you just dig up the spot and weed it you WILL get weeds… and very quickly. The paper, etc. acts like a barrier, then you’re safe to put on your soil. If you need a lot, Peninsula Out Of Doors has good soil, and for a small job as well they have bags to purchase.
Even though you’re going for that “Cottage” look, some thought should go into it. Height, colour, bloom time and overall size at maturity. Some ideas for plants that like it up here are Shasta Daisies, Speedwell, Meadow sage, Rudbeckia, Day Lilies, Tradescantia, Coneflowers, and for the fall, several varieties of Asters will take you right through the season. Then there is my absolute favorite: Hosta’s. In a Cottage Garden go for big. Their leaves are thicker and not as tasty. Don’t forget in the spring deer and bunnies do not eat Daffodils, and there are so many varieties available now.
Mulch is a must – bags or a trailer/truck load – POD has, and delivers, it as well.
Oh ya, a BIG rock slightly off center, or if your garden is a big guy then go for three rocks (always odd #’s – it just looks better and adds balance).
Gardening season is here for us to enjoy. Stay put. Stay safe.
Happy Spring Gardening,
Joni
jpregan@amtelecom.net 519 596 2389
