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| New raised beds for vegetable garden - Mother Nature's Montrose Garden |
Planters, Raised Beds and Containers
Planters,
raised beds and containers (pots; window boxes; etc.) can make a garden more
attractive and emphasize a garden’s theme.
They can also improve functionality.
For example, planters can be used to create a level planting surface on
gentle slopes or to provide better drainage. Raised beds make garden tasks easier for young
gardeners or those with physical limitations.
Many
Western gardeners are well acquainted with planters; they are common in local
gardens. Traditional planters made of
brick or concrete are found in many older gardens and can still be a good idea. In more natural gardens rocks, cut stone,
‘urbanite’ (chunks of concrete paving) or fabricated ‘stones’ make
natural-looking planters and raised beds. Planters – or even slightly raised, edged beds
– can also provide a formal look if that is desired.
Raised
beds make excellent sense in a vegetable garden. They concentrate water and nutrients, keep
vegetables clean and help dissuade slugs and snails. They also make it easier to plant, weed,
provide plant support and harvest the crops.
Raised beds can be made to a convenient height – even allow the gardener
to work from a seat or wheelchair.
Raised beds are becoming popular in many parts of the country, including
Colorado. You might want to consider them for vegetables
or flowers.
We’ve used a smaller urban/suburban garden as an example in previous posts (see Mother Nature's Montrose Garden: Creating Your Colorado-friendly Garden: 1a. Drawing a Base Map and other previous posts). The garden at 112 Willow St. will have a vegetable garden with raised beds (see above sketch). The area is 14 ft. by 24 ft.
The
gardeners explore plans for raised beds on-line and learn that 3 ft. is the
best width to provide easy access.
There is room for four beds, each 3 ft. x 8 ft., with 2 ½ ft. walkways;
there’s still space for water storage container(s) at the north end of the
garden as planned.
The
gardeners have many choices of design and materials, ranging from fairly
inexpensive, home-made models to more expensive purchased kits or custom-built
raised beds. Some kits are available
locally – others will have to be ordered from gardener’s supply companies. To learn more, there are extensive resources
on-line. Good how-to books are available
at building supply stores and your local library. We’ll discuss designing
vegetable gardens and utility areas in greater detail in February,
2021).
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| An arbor makes a nice entry to the garden. |
Arbors, Arches and Pergolas
Arches,
arbors and pergolas are sometimes employed in Western gardens. They are not for every garden, but can be
effective features. An arch can be used
as an entrance to the garden or to areas that are treated as separate garden
‘rooms’. Arbors and pergolas provide
shade and are a good place to grow grapes, native Honeysuckles and other
fragrant vines. They often include
seating areas. In Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden, we have a pergola attached
to the house and porches (below). It’s handy for sitting on a warm day and for
entertaining.
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| A pergola makes an inviting seating area in summer. |
There
are dozens of designs, plans and pictures of arbors, arches and pergolas on the
internet. If interested, we suggest you
start there. These are strong design elements.
They may dominate the garden landscape and are often used to make a large
garden seem smaller. If you have a small
yard – and still want to include these elements - we suggest you keep them
small, darker colored and in proper scale for the size of your yard.
Trellises
Trellises
are often used to provide support for vines and trailers, although lattice and
other trellises are being used alone in contemporary gardens. They can be used to create shade, cover a
wall/fence or provide a visual screen.
They are particularly useful in narrow spaces or as stand-alone elements
in the interior of the garden. Things
to consider when choosing a trellis:
- Strength: is it strong enough to provide support for a
mature vine?
- Attachment: where/how will you attach it? Will the attachment be strong enough
- Design
: trellises can be a strong design element. Choose design, materials and color to complement
the garden design
- Materials : there are many choices; consider appearance, cost
and maintenance
As
discussed in previous episodes, the side of the neighbor’s garage is an eyesore
in the 112 Willow garden (see sketch, below). It presents a
design challenge for the Quiet/Meditation area, which is narrow and fairly
shady. After considering several
options, the gardeners decide to grow a vine screen to block the view. They can either erect a free-standing trellis
or attach one to the existing wall.
Local building code specifies that fences/walls can be no taller than 6
ft. But an open lattice trellis could
be taller – perhaps 7-8 ft – and nicely block the view. They pencil in a trellis that will conceal
the neighbor’s garage.
For
more inspiration on trellises, search the internet and visit well-stocked local
garden stores. Trellises can be
beautiful and functional. They have come
back in style for a reason – they are useful in contemporary gardens.
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| Shredded wood mulch accents the colors of native shrubs. |
Mulch and Non-living Groundcovers
A
mulch
is simply a protective layer of materials placed over the soil,
primarily to modify the effects of the local climate. Mulching is an integral part of water-wise
gardening; but mulches are used for a number of other purposes including heat
regulation and aesthetics.
Like all other types of hardscape,
mulch should be suited to the garden conditions. These conditions certainly include the types
of plants you plan to grow. But the
conditions also include aesthetic and even cultural considerations. For example, many mulches are available in
different colors and textures. You need
to consider which is best for the look of your garden. For example, if your garden design has a
Mediterranean/Italian influence, you may want to use an appropriate crushed
gravel mulch – at least in part of the garden.
You may even want to use mulches in areas of your garden that have no
plants at all! On the other hand, a
‘natural’ garden with Coastal Sage Scrub plants will look best – and thrive
with – a thin mulch of wood chippings.
We have written an extensive post on
mulches in S. California gardens. It
describes the use of mulch, types of mulch and other considerations. It discusses the use of mulch for different
types of California native plants. The information covered is relevant for
gardeners in other Western states as well. We suggest you read Understanding Mulches - http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/07/understanding-mulches_23.html
The best advice when considering mulches is to look at
various materials on-line, then go to a local building supply source and see
the materials first hand. You may be
able to take small samples of the materials how to see how you like them in the
garden.
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| Pond - Mother Nature's Montrose Garden. |
Water Features
Water
features are decorative hardscape elements that feature the sight, sound and
sometimes the feel of water. Included in
the category are decorative ponds and pools, waterfalls, constructed ‘streams’
with re-circulating water and fountains of all sizes and types. Water features are treasured in hot
climates because they give the illusion of coolness. As our climate heats up, you may want to consider
a small, water-wise water feature.
As
with arches and pergolas, scale is important. A large, ornate fountain or massive waterfall
will look out of place in a small garden. But even the tiniest garden can include a
small fountain – even a miniature waterfall – to give as sense of cool. In a previous, we constructed a simple
bubbler fountain from large glazed pots [below]. The scale is right, the pump is solar
powered, and the fountain is quite water-wise (requires re-filling with 1
gallon a week during the hottest weather). People are instinctively drawn to the
fountain. Birds love to drink and bath
in the splash; some even fly through the water in hot weather!
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| Simple fountain made of glazed clay pots. |
Large
gardening/home improvement stores carry a selection of ready-made fountains; most
are ready to place, fill and plug in the pump.
Most re-circulating fountains require an electrical outlet; but
solar-powered pumps and fountains are available on-line. Local nurseries also stock fountains and can
suggest local businesses that will create custom fountains, pools and other
water features.
Garden Art
Garden
art is very personal. Art is an
important part of some gardens – in fact some gardens are built to house a
treasured sculpture, mosaic or other piece of art. Other gardens have no art at all. The best gardens follow the old adage – less
is more.
Included
in ‘garden art’ are statues, other sculpture, sundials, decorative birdbaths,
mosaics and decorative tiles, pebble mosaics, decorative signage or light
fixtures and more. Garden art should
reflect your taste; it may also reflect your cultural or family heritage. Garden art can provide just the right accent
to make a garden appear authentic, alive, unique.
Garden
‘art’ can include artful objects from nature: an attractive boulder,
interestingly shaped log or branch, shells or pebbles, other found
objects. Japanese gardens are well known
for their use of natural objects in gardens.
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| A bird bath can add a decorative element. |
Garden
art can be invaluable for difficult parts of the garden, such as areas of deep
shade where nothing will grow. A
light-colored statue can be just the ticket – lovely, water-wise and low maintenance.
You
needn’t have a specific piece in mind when you design the garden. In fact, sometimes it’s best to wait and see
what the garden itself requires. Leave room
for a sundial or small statue if you wish.
You’ll ultimately come across the perfect piece for the space.
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We welcome your comments (below). You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com
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