Raised Garden Beds ~ Before
Paul and I started looking for rentals here in Portland, Oregon last fall and found a sweet little Craftsman in the Alberta Arts District. The house had almost been sold but the deal fell through and we were given the opportunity to rent it month to month. One of the things we loved best about it was the fact that it had a backyard with raised garden beds. We couldn’t wait to start playing in them come springtime!
Weeding, Fertilizing & Planting a Bed at a Time
The house was unoccupied for a while, so there was some catching up to do. We tackled the beds one at a time, netting each one upon completion in order to keep the cats out (strays had taken to using the back yard as their hang out and the garden beds as jumbo litter boxes). We pretty much had to start from scratch with these beds (weeding, then digging out old soil, then adding new soil/fertilizer, then planting and covering with net). By the way, the strays are still welcome, but not in the garden beds.
Sweet Pea Prep
We used a combination (about 50/50) of seeds and starters to fill the beds with, depending on what needed to go in when and what we were able to find locally and were able to find just about everything we wanted at Portland Nursery, Marbott’s, and Garden Fever.
Pea Progress
Paul planted the peas about a month ago, and here they are a few weeks later. The combination of sun and rain has done our little garden beds lots of good. We are both super excited about enjoying and sharing the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers of our labor, including raspberries (already growing wild), strawberries, leeks, cauliflower, carrots, brussels sprouts, string beans, peas, eggplant, collard greens, bib lettuce, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, chamomile, lavender, rosemary, basil, oregano, dill, and dozens of different wildflowers (making sure to choose ones that attract bees and hummingbirds).
Raised Garden Beds ~ (Almost) After
This can’t really be called an ‘after’ shot as there is still much growing and maintenance to do, but I really couldn’t wait any longer to share with you what we have been up to these past few weekends. I will add another picture or two in the coming weeks if I see that there is interest here on the blog (feel free to ask questions, give gardening advice, etc. via the comments button).
I Love Garden Gnomes
It has been sunshiny these past few days and today we are getting just the right amount of rain, it seems. The Pacific Northwest is in it’s glory this time of year and Paul and I continue to love it here. Now, to pick out the perfect gnome (or two) from Garden Fever. Paul is not convinced that we need one ~ what do you think?
PS Thought I would add another garden shot, a month or so after this post was written. We have enjoyed this back yard SO much!
Raised Garden Beds ~ A Month (or so) Later
WOW – I AM impressed!! What are you going to do with all of those vege’s – you can feed the block. It looks great! Photo’s make it look like Paul is doing all the work – but I know better. LOL
And Yes, on the gnome – is there one playing poker?
Tee Hee Sadie ~ Paul doesn’t take pics, which means he gets to be in the ones that I take : ) He rolls his eyes when I get my camera out but is always happy that I did when we look back at old pics. I will keep my eye out for a poker playing gnome LOL! As for too much veg, there are lots of produce sharing groups in the area…there is even a tool library down the street with all kinds of yard equipment available to borrow! I am trying to implement more raw veg/fruit in both of our diets, as well…waste not, want not, right? XO
Great garden!! I love Garden Fever for their “not your regular variety of plants.” We do a mix of seeds and starts, also. I want to do starts myself but never get going early enough. Plus, my extra lighting usage is being monopolized by baby chicks these days!
Awe ~ I am going to your blog right now to see if you have posted baby chic pics! There are sooo many plants and flowers here that I have never seen before ~ we are both getting such a kick out of our first spring here in the Pacific Northwest. See you at our next bloggers meeting!
Yay, I love it! Lots of salad for you this summer.
I agree with Sadie – yes on the gnome. I am having a bit of a fascination with them myself this year.
Miss you!
em
Miss you more, Em! Come visit ~ we would have so much fun…xo
Oh! They look so great! I miss having a garden. We left our community garden plot in the hands of some good friends, though, and I just received an email update from her a bit ago… I’ll be gardening vicariously through you this year 🙂
And we will continue to travel vicariously through you, Bethany (and Ted)! Love to see people living their dreams. Your blog posts and pictures are phenomenal, btw. I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself reading a book of yours in the near future : )
I am loving the garden photos and I do miss having that in my backyard. It is beautiful, you guys have done a great job. I am so jealous.
I will have to post a pic of it now … it is really thriving! Thanks for the compliments : )
Hey, How’d you do that?!? Thanks for the shout-out, kind friends. Glad you’ve been able to enjoy a bit of our bounty! XO