2022 December—Bee Better Naturally Sustainable Garden Update
Goodbye November!
Helen Yoest presents 2022 Thanksgiving to her family.
I’m still working the garden for less maintenance. There was a lot to be done, taking things away.
It was already low maintenance as a sustainable garden, but I believed I could do more. In early November, I decided to add the metal edging. I like crisp edges but didn’t want to pay to edge them. I was on the fence for so long…years even—wondered if I should do this. I knew plastic was out of the picture; I wouldn’t even entertain that. But I didn’t mind Colmet brand.
Having '“cleaned up,” there isn’t any chore pressing on my mind. I feel so much freer. Areas are more open, piles have been processed, and beds mulched with street leaves. I’m feeling relaxed. There are a couple of winter projects that I’ll take on, including edging the back 40 (ft.)
The coop looks like it is sinking! What’s really happening is that the oak tree near it is maturing and bringing up the Earth! Not sure what to do next!
We at Bee Better Naturally and me personally I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day!
December
When I decided on a winter walk, it was at the point in the evening when dinner was made, and sleep was still a ways away. I top-dressed with a goofy hat, gloves, and scarf for a journey down the garden path.
The evening was amazingly quiet. Of course, I have no point of reference since I rarely go into the dark. I usually spend my winter evenings inside, waiting it out. I don’t do dark well. I wait, in anticipation, for the Winter Solstice, the one day I am a pagan.
Along with the moon and anxious eyes, I walk in the winter wonderland. To my delight, the paths are cheery from the glow of the low-voltage lighting. The paths and garden beds make shapes that are familiar yet different. Uplighting shines on selected trees, whose winter form and color are valuable in the landscape. A tree or shrub that would otherwise go unnoticed when in leaf takes center stage now; bare, cold, and in flower or in color. The Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ (coral bark maple) living up to its common name–the lighting brings out the color. The funny thing, though, is the coloring is on new growth. So I need to look out the guest bedroom window to see it! To keep this delight alive, I recently had Southern Lights come to the garden to refurbish the lights for the winter.
Given the short days makes me sad, I like to lighten things up!
For gardening in the Mid-Atlantic, and for me in Raleigh, NC, there is always something to do. I like that. On December 24th and 25th, it was near 70. I started with five layers and need up with a short-sleeve tee shirt.
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Winterberry
The Back 40 (ft) North to South—Picked up bagged leaves from streets to add here
Back 40 Acer japonicum 'Emmett's Pumpkin
The Back 40 (ft) South to North
Art Marina Bosetti
Ruscus aculeatus ‘Wheeler’s Variety’.
Gazebo Corner
Gazebo Corner—log
The Epimedium Patch
The Wildflower Patch Extension—I’m not hopeful the epimediums the rabbits ate to a nub will return.
The Wildflower Patch—This area is coming along.
The Southside
Southside with Air Bee and Bee!
This bed will rock come spring. Not the Virginia Gibbons ceramic artwork.
The Ostrich Fern Garden—It doesn’t look like much now, but wait til spring!
The Front Fountain Garden—The Japanese Glass Floats are stealing the show!
The Food Forest Extension
The Front Beds
The Parterre—I’m happy with these beds as annuals. I don’t have to think!
Rock Garden
The Raspberry Patch/River Garden. The River Garden has lost it’s shape. worked on refining it.
The Pollinator Garden
The Blackberry Patch/Chimney Swift Tower
The North Side—This is looking gorgeous!
The Girl’s Garden
The Wildlife Pond
Mixed Border, North to South
Pomegranate, always a good producer.
Mixed Border, South to North.