This past weekend finally saw the last of the seedlings snugly tucked into their garden beds. Clay did the heavy lifting of breaking up the sod and preparing the beds and I mapped out where everything would go and arranged it all just so. Of course, I've probably squeezed way too much in, as usual. There's a deceptive amount of space in a spring garden. By July it will be a big green mess of chaotic veggie goodness. But I like it that way.
We used the book Great Garden Companions as a guide for where to plant what. We had so many seeds to choose from, thanks to the seed swap, and so many interesting heirloom varieties. Wherever I could I snuck in an extra row of greens or beets. And in any left over space I scattered alyssum and marigold seeds as a nice home for friendly bugs and a pretty splash of color among the green.
Our seedlings that Clay grew in his studio were just aching to stretch their roots in some good, deep soil, out of the confines of their recycled rice milk boxes, I just know it. This little heirloom French squash is now living in the green strip between the road and our sidewalk. We ran out of room in our three front lawn beds!
I lined one side of a bed with lobelia and pansies. Soon the lobelia should spread and sprawl along the edge of the walk. The rest of this bed has herbs and cucumbers. But every garden, even vegetables gardens, can make room for a few flowers!
By the end of my planting I'd made so many changes and squeezed in so many extra plants and rows of seeds that my plans turned nearly indecipherable! I loved mixing and matching the plants with those that make good companions; alyssum under the peppers, cilantro around the tomatillos, parsley with the tomatoes... I've been watering religiously every day, keeping my little seeds damp. I can't wait until they start sending sprouts up!
