How to take care of an existing garden and make it my own?
March 12, 2016 10:28 AM Subscribe
We moved into our new home (Bloomfield, NJ) last May and inherited a beautiful garden from the previous owner that we did nothing to maintain.
I’m noticing some greenery popping up and am so excited. I want to get it ready for spring and plant more herbs and some vegetables as well but have no idea where to begin! I have barely been able to keep plants alive. I need some serious guidance on what to do with last years remains and how to get started.
There are three raised beds then and now. One of them produced herbs, one produced some garlic, and the other didn’t produce anything.
I can see some chives already growing from the herb raised bed. Actually the chives are all over the place including in the grass. I would like to plant cilantro, basil, and oregano. I believe rosemary was already growing as well. Do I need to remove the dead herbs or will it help the soil in some way. I understand that some herbs are perennials but if I remove the dead bits do I have to add any more seeds? Are there certain herbs that can’t be grown together? I read about starting certain seeds indoors but I'm worried that my cats will ruin them. They tend to try to eat any plants that I try to grow.
One raised bed produced a few heads of garlic. Can I plant something else in there and what would be the best choice to grow alongside garlic? I would like to grow peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers in one of them. More if possible.
There were also a bunch of different things going on along the perimeter including lavender and mint. The two little bushes of lavender still smell good but I have no idea what to do with them. Do I pull them out or chop them up so that new lavender can grow? I did some raking and minimal cleanup but now it looks pretty grim and most of the grass looks terrible.
The previous owner also left us a compost bin that is halfway filled up with... compost, dirt I don't know. How do I proceed with this? Can I just start adding eggshells or soil? Do I need to get rid of whatever is in there and start from scratch?
I’m mostly scared to do anything because I don’t want to ruin it. I would also like to do this as organically as possible. How feasible is that?
I’m noticing some greenery popping up and am so excited. I want to get it ready for spring and plant more herbs and some vegetables as well but have no idea where to begin! I have barely been able to keep plants alive. I need some serious guidance on what to do with last years remains and how to get started.
There are three raised beds then and now. One of them produced herbs, one produced some garlic, and the other didn’t produce anything.
I can see some chives already growing from the herb raised bed. Actually the chives are all over the place including in the grass. I would like to plant cilantro, basil, and oregano. I believe rosemary was already growing as well. Do I need to remove the dead herbs or will it help the soil in some way. I understand that some herbs are perennials but if I remove the dead bits do I have to add any more seeds? Are there certain herbs that can’t be grown together? I read about starting certain seeds indoors but I'm worried that my cats will ruin them. They tend to try to eat any plants that I try to grow.
One raised bed produced a few heads of garlic. Can I plant something else in there and what would be the best choice to grow alongside garlic? I would like to grow peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers in one of them. More if possible.
There were also a bunch of different things going on along the perimeter including lavender and mint. The two little bushes of lavender still smell good but I have no idea what to do with them. Do I pull them out or chop them up so that new lavender can grow? I did some raking and minimal cleanup but now it looks pretty grim and most of the grass looks terrible.
The previous owner also left us a compost bin that is halfway filled up with... compost, dirt I don't know. How do I proceed with this? Can I just start adding eggshells or soil? Do I need to get rid of whatever is in there and start from scratch?
I’m mostly scared to do anything because I don’t want to ruin it. I would also like to do this as organically as possible. How feasible is that?
Also- I cannot see the pics you have linked to, but why not do a few vintage type tomatoes too? They are great for NJ's climate, and much tastier than market ones. Anyway, if you visit the garden center often, you can get into the season rhythm of what planting is locally appropriate much easier than you can with mail ordering (which is great, but you ned smarts to do effectively).
Just be aware that new plantings need attention and more frequent watering, and during dry hot weather, they will need more frequent watering as well. There is also a book Carrots love Tomatoes that explains what plants like to be planted near each other. That and Dave's garden web site maybe very helpful to you.
posted by TenaciousB at 11:06 AM on March 12, 2016
Just be aware that new plantings need attention and more frequent watering, and during dry hot weather, they will need more frequent watering as well. There is also a book Carrots love Tomatoes that explains what plants like to be planted near each other. That and Dave's garden web site maybe very helpful to you.
posted by TenaciousB at 11:06 AM on March 12, 2016
Much of what I'm seeing in your photos are perennials and should, aside from an annual cleanup, mostly take care of themselves. This time of year, for anything that dies back to the ground I'd clear up last season's dead foliage. I think I'd also use some of that compost. It looks as though the previous gardener's used bark mulch, which is fine, but it does tend to push the pH of the soil slightly lower (usually not a problem). If you like the look of mulch, by all means: use it. If not, spread the compost around your plants. Dig some into the raised beds where you plan to plant herbs. One of the photos makes it look as though some stepping stones had been removed from one of the beds. If you want to make it your own, consider whether you want to make a path through it. Find stones you like and do it.
Speaking of herbs, that is a metric buttload of chives. I would consider dividing that and either offering some to a neighbor or making enough sour cream & chive veggie dip to feed an army.* Your lavender should be fine - again, it's a perennial and will mostly take care of itself. It also will take a fairly thorough hacking-back, though it'll probably look rather sorry for itself for a while. Beware the mint. It's very invasive.
Remember that in general plants are resilient and forgiving. Suggestions to make regular trips to your local garden center are spot on - this is the best way to get a feeling for what's in season, what's in bloom, and what you like.
*Chives are dead easy and I might suggest you divide and transplant them to one of the perennial beds; save the raised bed space for the herbs and veg that require more TLC.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 11:55 AM on March 12, 2016
Speaking of herbs, that is a metric buttload of chives. I would consider dividing that and either offering some to a neighbor or making enough sour cream & chive veggie dip to feed an army.* Your lavender should be fine - again, it's a perennial and will mostly take care of itself. It also will take a fairly thorough hacking-back, though it'll probably look rather sorry for itself for a while. Beware the mint. It's very invasive.
Remember that in general plants are resilient and forgiving. Suggestions to make regular trips to your local garden center are spot on - this is the best way to get a feeling for what's in season, what's in bloom, and what you like.
*Chives are dead easy and I might suggest you divide and transplant them to one of the perennial beds; save the raised bed space for the herbs and veg that require more TLC.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 11:55 AM on March 12, 2016
I have lavender advice: do not do any hacking back until you see very clear, robust, active new growth. Some plants like it when you clear the winter death from their heads. Lavenders, sages (salvias), and others do not. So resist the urge and wait until May.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:48 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:48 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
You know, if you've got the room in your budget, I think the best way to get schooled in what to do to care for your garden is to hire a local gardener with a great reputation to coach you through through to fall. Get together for an hour once a month, check out what's up, ask your questions, have them give you directions what to do. Start asking hyour friends and neighbors for a recommendation.
posted by Sublimity at 4:42 PM on March 12, 2016
posted by Sublimity at 4:42 PM on March 12, 2016
My region has a Facebook group for gardeners, with a lot of Is it time to plant X yet? questions. (And answers!) Maybe you have one.
Sublimity's advice is good too - also, if you're in a walking neighborhood, stopping to admire a local garden when you see the gardener is a great chance to ask one or two questions.
posted by clew at 4:56 PM on March 12, 2016
Sublimity's advice is good too - also, if you're in a walking neighborhood, stopping to admire a local garden when you see the gardener is a great chance to ask one or two questions.
posted by clew at 4:56 PM on March 12, 2016
I've got a garden that I've spent a ton of time designing & maintaining here in Zone 9B. Among other things, the plantings are designed to bloom at different times of the year. A new owner might see a 'bare spot' and plant something where in fact beautiful wild iris bulbs will bloom within another month. It's also drought-resistant garden, and uses many local/native plants and grasses.
This is all to say that if you've inherited a 'designed' garden...see if it's possible to get info from the previous owner. If not personally, thru the realtor(s). Might be very forthcoming with info.
I know I'll be glad to share garden info with the next owners of my place.
posted by artdrectr at 5:35 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is all to say that if you've inherited a 'designed' garden...see if it's possible to get info from the previous owner. If not personally, thru the realtor(s). Might be very forthcoming with info.
I know I'll be glad to share garden info with the next owners of my place.
posted by artdrectr at 5:35 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
plantings are designed to bloom at different times of the year. A new owner might see a 'bare spot' and plant something where in fact beautiful wild iris bulbs will bloom within another month.
THIS. Take dated pictures of the garden weekly to keep a running record of what blooms when, otherwise you may make the mistake of planting over fall bulbs or biennials.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 5:26 AM on March 13, 2016
THIS. Take dated pictures of the garden weekly to keep a running record of what blooms when, otherwise you may make the mistake of planting over fall bulbs or biennials.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 5:26 AM on March 13, 2016
I think first you need to know which are annuals and which are perennials and be able to identify what you have. Your local county extension office or your favorite local nursery can likely recommend someone to do a tour with you.
Most raised beds are annual vegetables and likely to include some annual herbs. They're a good place to put your cilantro and basil (and to make life easy on yourself, I'd recommend starts because you've got a gorgeous garden there! You'll have better things to do with your time, and I say this as someone who starts cilantro and basil from seed.) Most vegetables will grow well with those two things next to them. Basil is traditional with tomatoes. Cilantro bolts in hot weather and I'd maybe try it in the shade of some pepper plants. Plant little batches all summer.
Oregano is kind of an invasive pain in the ass, so is mint, so are chives. You can grow them in containers. Chives are wonderful pest repellents and I've got dwarf apple trees coming this year and I'm moving my chives over there where they can go nuts.
Rosemary is sometimes hardy, sometimes not, probably will be in NJ. I'd wait to May for new growth, like the lavender, before hacking at it.
Do I need to remove the dead herbs or will it help the soil in some way.I understand that some herbs are perennials but if I remove the dead bits do I have to add any more seeds?
If you have space you can start a compost pile. The deal with decaying organic matter is that it can provide a place for overwintering fungus or pests. It can also provide a space for overwintering bees, which you want, and food for worms, which you want. I tend to mix it up (I've had a similar trajectory.) In wooded areas and at edges I leave leaf litter for bees and others to live in. If something is large, like last year's dead plant, I rip it up and toss it in the compost pile. If it's a little leaf here or there, I let it rot in the soil. Start a compost pile! They're easy. You don't need a bin, just a hidden little corner to throw stuff.
Are there certain herbs that can’t be grown together? I read about starting certain seeds indoors but I'm worried that my cats will ruin them.
I do start seeds indoors but I have a light set up and I do it largely to fend off winter depression and because I'm huge nerd. You don't need to bother -- you can just get starts. Herbs are mostly fine together, the only thing you need to worry about are bullies like the mint and oregano.
One raised bed produced a few heads of garlic. Can I plant something else in there and what would be the best choice to grow alongside garlic?
Garlic's an annual; you eat the bulbs. You can plant it in October and harvest in August, keeping the biggest cloves to replant each year. You also get scapes. It's easy and grows well with most things and like chives (and all alliums--onions, garlic, scallions, leeks) repels a lot of mean insects. It's known to be good with roses and it repels Japanese beetles. Some crops are cool weather (spring and fall) crops, like spinach or arugula. So when you pull the garlic in August, follow it with arugula and you'll have it way into October or even November where you are if you succession sow (plant some, wait two weeks, plant some more, up until mid-September).
I would like to grow peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers in one of them. More if possible.
Go for it. Just give things room to breathe. Close quarters create the garden conditions of sweaty sneakers. You want air to be able to move around and dry things out, especially things prone to mildew, like cucumbers (which like to sprawl and climb, btw).
I did some raking and minimal cleanup but now it looks pretty grim and most of the grass looks terrible.
That's about how everyone's garden looks now! Except for a few pokey daffodils or whatever coming up.
The previous owner also left us a compost bin that is halfway filled up with... compost, dirt I don't know. How do I proceed with this? Can I just start adding eggshells or soil? Do I need to get rid of whatever is in there and start from scratch?
I'd mix in a couple of inches into those vegetable beds before planting and continue to use it. I think your previous gardener knew what he or she was doing.
I’m mostly scared to do anything because I don’t want to ruin it. I would also like to do this as organically as possible. How feasible is that?
We have four acres of woodland and several beds and borders. I do everything organically and I'm learning slowly (I'm in year four now!). I inherited formal plantings from the previous owners but have made raised beds, a shade garden in the grove, asparagus patch, a ton of perennials, a blueberry patch, and this year I'm adding kind of an embarrassing amount of fruit--so much I kind of don't want to list it because I'll need to breathe into a paper bag.
I even pull poison ivy by hand.
Organic is easy once you accept failure and learn some tricks. Once you accept it's going to be imperfect, and different things will succeed or fail every year it's one of the best lessons I've ever learned. Last year I bought a gorgeous new Japanese maple and the beetles ate all the leaves. The year before, deer ate half my favorite hostas (krossa regals) and I lost an entire summer of tomatoes to blight and had to kill them all.
But last year I learned how to space tomatoes and amend the soil (it needed wood ash and eggshells--that's my soil, not yours) and the deer didn't eat the hostas. Every year has a highlight where something is like wow, I can't believe how awesome this is and something else swoons and hits the fainting couch. Pests change each year depending on weather and fate.
Mulch to retain moisture in the soil, keep airflow good around leaves, keep the compost going, pull off any sad or diseased looking leaves when you see them, be patient, and when the failures happen learn from those and don't miss noticing the successes.
I also keep a diary. And a binder. And a gallery of photographs by month. Each year. And I draft new designs. On graph paper.
So, uh, you can hit whatever level of nerd you want. Sky's the limit!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:36 AM on March 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
Most raised beds are annual vegetables and likely to include some annual herbs. They're a good place to put your cilantro and basil (and to make life easy on yourself, I'd recommend starts because you've got a gorgeous garden there! You'll have better things to do with your time, and I say this as someone who starts cilantro and basil from seed.) Most vegetables will grow well with those two things next to them. Basil is traditional with tomatoes. Cilantro bolts in hot weather and I'd maybe try it in the shade of some pepper plants. Plant little batches all summer.
Oregano is kind of an invasive pain in the ass, so is mint, so are chives. You can grow them in containers. Chives are wonderful pest repellents and I've got dwarf apple trees coming this year and I'm moving my chives over there where they can go nuts.
Rosemary is sometimes hardy, sometimes not, probably will be in NJ. I'd wait to May for new growth, like the lavender, before hacking at it.
Do I need to remove the dead herbs or will it help the soil in some way.I understand that some herbs are perennials but if I remove the dead bits do I have to add any more seeds?
If you have space you can start a compost pile. The deal with decaying organic matter is that it can provide a place for overwintering fungus or pests. It can also provide a space for overwintering bees, which you want, and food for worms, which you want. I tend to mix it up (I've had a similar trajectory.) In wooded areas and at edges I leave leaf litter for bees and others to live in. If something is large, like last year's dead plant, I rip it up and toss it in the compost pile. If it's a little leaf here or there, I let it rot in the soil. Start a compost pile! They're easy. You don't need a bin, just a hidden little corner to throw stuff.
Are there certain herbs that can’t be grown together? I read about starting certain seeds indoors but I'm worried that my cats will ruin them.
I do start seeds indoors but I have a light set up and I do it largely to fend off winter depression and because I'm huge nerd. You don't need to bother -- you can just get starts. Herbs are mostly fine together, the only thing you need to worry about are bullies like the mint and oregano.
One raised bed produced a few heads of garlic. Can I plant something else in there and what would be the best choice to grow alongside garlic?
Garlic's an annual; you eat the bulbs. You can plant it in October and harvest in August, keeping the biggest cloves to replant each year. You also get scapes. It's easy and grows well with most things and like chives (and all alliums--onions, garlic, scallions, leeks) repels a lot of mean insects. It's known to be good with roses and it repels Japanese beetles. Some crops are cool weather (spring and fall) crops, like spinach or arugula. So when you pull the garlic in August, follow it with arugula and you'll have it way into October or even November where you are if you succession sow (plant some, wait two weeks, plant some more, up until mid-September).
I would like to grow peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers in one of them. More if possible.
Go for it. Just give things room to breathe. Close quarters create the garden conditions of sweaty sneakers. You want air to be able to move around and dry things out, especially things prone to mildew, like cucumbers (which like to sprawl and climb, btw).
I did some raking and minimal cleanup but now it looks pretty grim and most of the grass looks terrible.
That's about how everyone's garden looks now! Except for a few pokey daffodils or whatever coming up.
The previous owner also left us a compost bin that is halfway filled up with... compost, dirt I don't know. How do I proceed with this? Can I just start adding eggshells or soil? Do I need to get rid of whatever is in there and start from scratch?
I'd mix in a couple of inches into those vegetable beds before planting and continue to use it. I think your previous gardener knew what he or she was doing.
I’m mostly scared to do anything because I don’t want to ruin it. I would also like to do this as organically as possible. How feasible is that?
We have four acres of woodland and several beds and borders. I do everything organically and I'm learning slowly (I'm in year four now!). I inherited formal plantings from the previous owners but have made raised beds, a shade garden in the grove, asparagus patch, a ton of perennials, a blueberry patch, and this year I'm adding kind of an embarrassing amount of fruit--so much I kind of don't want to list it because I'll need to breathe into a paper bag.
I even pull poison ivy by hand.
Organic is easy once you accept failure and learn some tricks. Once you accept it's going to be imperfect, and different things will succeed or fail every year it's one of the best lessons I've ever learned. Last year I bought a gorgeous new Japanese maple and the beetles ate all the leaves. The year before, deer ate half my favorite hostas (krossa regals) and I lost an entire summer of tomatoes to blight and had to kill them all.
But last year I learned how to space tomatoes and amend the soil (it needed wood ash and eggshells--that's my soil, not yours) and the deer didn't eat the hostas. Every year has a highlight where something is like wow, I can't believe how awesome this is and something else swoons and hits the fainting couch. Pests change each year depending on weather and fate.
Mulch to retain moisture in the soil, keep airflow good around leaves, keep the compost going, pull off any sad or diseased looking leaves when you see them, be patient, and when the failures happen learn from those and don't miss noticing the successes.
I also keep a diary. And a binder. And a gallery of photographs by month. Each year. And I draft new designs. On graph paper.
So, uh, you can hit whatever level of nerd you want. Sky's the limit!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:36 AM on March 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
Btw, if you're looking for something to plant now in those raised beds the answer is 'spinach and peas and lettuce'.
I'm done now.
I could, however, pretty much just keep posting until I run out of Metafilter.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:45 AM on March 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm done now.
I could, however, pretty much just keep posting until I run out of Metafilter.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:45 AM on March 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
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You should trim plants of any dead or damaged leaves branches, and clean up and dotted materials. Once it warms up, you will need to water when rains are not sufficient. Lots of activities like pruning and planting are best done on schedules that vary from plant to plant. I would recommend some books from Rodale publishing for good advice on keeping things organic. Spend the first year studying the micro climates - what gets the most light, or which spots are dampest and driest, and you will learn which spots are optimal for which plant.
posted by TenaciousB at 10:57 AM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]