What a Difference a Year Makes in a Garden
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| My float garden in 2007. |
Last summer John replaced the cedar siding around the four raised beds and the walkway so I missed out on a whole growing season.
At the end of summer I left the beds cleared except for a perennial herbs. What a difference a year makes.
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| New cedar boards outside and in. |
We visited the cabin in December and January between our Snowbird RV Adventures to California and Arizona. Then, like people around the world, we sheltered in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. At first, we chose our condo in Bellingham. In July it was time to come home to BC even with a strict 14-day quarantine.
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| My float garden on Powell Lake, BC, during a typical summer.. |
We found lots of things to do to get our float cabin home back in shape. One of them was my float garden. While we were away it was taken over by flowers, herbs and weeds gone wild.
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| Here's what I found when we finally got home in July, everything gone wild. |
On the north side of the float garden the mint that used to be in a pot took over the front bed. The other north bed sported weeds including fireweed that must have been beautiful while blooming.
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| All four raised beds were totally covered with plants already going to seed. |
The beds on the south side included more weeds in the front section, and a full bed of chamomile going to seed in the rear. I must have dumped soil that container with seeds for this prolific flowers. At least I love the smell and enjoy a cup of chamomile tea on winter evenings.
Over the years my garden has been highlighted in the media.
- Sunset Magazine in 2007
- Sunshine Coast BC blog in 2011
- Sunset Magazine Contest in 2011
- Our Canada Magazine in 2011
- CBC Radio in 2013 and 2015
- Powell River Garden Club in 2014
- Guest Blogger in 2018
- Powell River Library Calendar in 2018
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| One bed cleared and ready for future planting. |
Click here to read more about float gardening.
Do you garden in raised beds? What are some of your favourite crops? -- Margy
Labels:
Float Cabin Living,
Gardening
Posts
aww....excellent idea to have a floating garden....cool.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day.
I was thinking how tough it is to miss half the season, then I remembered that you are in B.C.! My pumpkin plant is blooming, but I'm not hopeful!
ReplyDeleteLots of work to get your garden back in shape fir next year, which hopefully will be a much better year than this one.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of work when I miss just a couple of weeks, imagine being away for that long. I am sure you will have it sorted in no time.
ReplyDelete-Soma
it will take a lot of work but you'll get it back in shape - looking forward to seeing next year's garden
ReplyDeleteImpressive. And you don't have as many critter problems as I do with my backyard garden.
ReplyDeleteMargy - as you know, I don't do any vegetable/produce gardening. But that doesn't mean that I don't have experience with gardens gone wild! July is the primo growing month here, and it is amazing how things can get out of control in just a few weeks. I spent most of today weeding and tidying up plants that were making it hard to get through the path! Looks much better now ... Thanks for linking up to Mosaic Monday, and enjoy the rest of your week! I am sure it is glorious up there!
ReplyDeleteA float garden! That's brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of anything like this but it's brilliant! Thanks for sharing. So many great ideas for those looking for ways to adapt to the places they live.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness the weeds really did grow. Amazing considering it is floating that somehow seeds of weeds found their way into the soil. Lots to be done indeed.
ReplyDeleteDawn aka Spatulas On Parade
I enjoy creating order out of chaos. It must feel so wonderful to be home again. Cheers, Margy!
ReplyDeletewow a float garden. Amazing concept and great idea. And what a lovely place you have to escape Covid. Enjoy your time here, stay safe, and thank you for visiting my blog this week.
ReplyDeleteDear Margy - The idea of floating garden is so unique and creative. Are there other floating gardens other than yours? It’s quite new to me. It’s natural that when human maintenance is over, nature grows wild. Enjoy working to make the garden back in shape slow but steady. Above all else, be safe and healthy.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Hello Margy,
ReplyDeleteI know you are happy to be back at your floating cabin. Working on your garden beds does take up some of that quarantine time. Take care, enjoy your day!
Gardens can be our zen space and your float garden looks lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteHow are you Margy?
Love,
Natasha
https://natashamusing.com/2020/08/i-am-a-tree-wordless-wednesday-wednesday-wisdom-natasha-musing/