Friday, April 27, 2007

My Garden...Yeah Right!

Okay, so this isn't my garden. It is a photo of a lovely garden in Maine that is featured in this month's Cottage Living. I showed this to hubby who promptly said "that looks like a big mess." Men! Presently, I 'm a little obsessed with creating something along these lines in my yard. Oh, did I mention that my yard is a mess?! Well maybe not quite a mess, but definitely needs some TLC. This is our third year in our house and I haven't had any time to even think about a garden until this year. I have to rebuild beds and do some serious work before I can plant anything. I have a whole design drawn out but there is no way it's all going to happen this year. So, I, who needs instant gratification, am coming to terms with the fact that I have to start small. Especially since my big plan was to get the front beds ready to go this Sunday and the forecast is for rain! UGH! Weather gods, why do you displease me so?! Here is my question to all of my blogging buddies out there - can anyone suggest some good gardening/planting books and/or websites?

Also, a reminder that the other Karla over at Karla's Cottage is having a fabulous bucket giveaway. Check out her blog to see all the yummy items she is including! Natasha is also hosting another fabulous giveaway for a beautiful hanging strawberry! I just received one of her lavender strawberries a few weeks ago and it is simply divine!


15 comments:

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Beautiful! I love a cottage garden.
Packed with colorful flowering perenials, but my husband is the same as yours. He thinks it looks overgrown and messy. Humpph...what do they know!

Kimberly :)

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

Gardening is so much work isn't it? I get so frustrated trying to keep up with those weeds!

I would recommend just getting a book that has a general overview of plants and landscaping. I love to look at the gardening magazines so you might just pick up a few of those. Mosty I think you will learn by trial and error.

Heather

Natasha Burns said...

Love that garden! When you're done do you want to fly over here and do mine? I've been trying to do it for 9 years now... how sad!!!

Merci-Notes said...

Hello, I think that you can never go wrong with a Martha Stewart Gardening Book...which you can start off with at your library. They probably have them all and by sampling them at home you find your favorite and then can buy it!
Sounds like our husbands have similiar ideas of oganization! haha. I let him know where I would like the bed and what shape/size and he comes in and makes it perfect. I choose the plants mostly.
The process is fun, you can start with beautiful flowering bushes! I LOVE Viburnum x juddii (judd Viburnum) fragrant 21/2 to 31/2" flowers,6-8' H by 6-8'W;rounded shape.Full sun to partial shade.
Happy Gardening
With Kindness, Mary

Anonymous said...

Oh how sweet of you to post a picture of my garden!!

Bwahahahaha - don't I wish!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Thanks for telling people about my May Bucket!

I usually just read garden magazines for ideas (and for painting inspiration). Also, for instant gratification, you should get a few planters or urns to overfill with flowers and keep up by your door.

Gypsy Purple said...

I think thats a lovely "mess"...go for it!!!

Marilyn in NM said...

I fell in love with this garden when I got my Cottage Living in the mail. I've had it folded open to that page for a week now wishing I could come up with a better garden plan.

My favorite website is the Cottage Gardens section of the Garden Web forums. Everyone is so knowledgeable and generous with their information. You can find it here http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/cottage/

Anonymous said...

((thank you for your precious comment this weekend - your words were lovely))

deb said...

Just gorgeous.. I love gardens like that too. My hubby has the same thoughts.

karin said...

I am sooo laughing right now. Last night at dinner my lovely son let it spill how much I spent on plants and soil for the backyard. It was well over $200. My husband says "what. for dirt and weeds." hmmph....he's always happy with the outcome though! Karin @creativechaos

Heidi said...

Thanks for your comment on my lilacs! I've worked on growing lilacs for years and this was my best year ever! My bushes are still not too mature, but enough to give beautiful scented blooms! I'll give you the secret: Just get it in the ground!! Don't wait! Also, I referred the big old Martha Stewart book since it first came out, I'm not sure it's even in print. It's a month by month one, published in early 90's. We do live in the country, on 5 acres, so everything is a lot of work, but very rewarding!

Jenn said...

I would love a garden like that. Men just don't get it though....LOL!!

Jen Kershner said...

That is a beautiful garden! Good luck trying to get your hubby to understand what you want!

Sonia said...

Great garden, I hope I get mine to look like that some day. have to start somewhere. My hubby just leaves decorating and puttering to me. Everything I did around this house was fine by him (as long as he didn't have to do it lol) but I'm the one with the inspirations and creativity and such so thats just fine by me.
Thanks for comming by my blog.
Sonia

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