2023 January Garden Sustainable Maintenance Practices for the Southeast
Did you know I’m a collector of garden art? To see a working list of the garden art in the Bee Better Teaching Garden, click HERE!
A new year. Profound, isn’t it? 2023. The number/year doesn’t even seem to have any special meeting, a number stuck between the past and the future. It’s what we will make of it, and we will only know how wonderful 2023 will be until this time next year. Let’s make the most of it!
At the new year! each year, I write my annual I’m GONNAs. Since so many people shun resolutions, I tamed my “resolutions” to I’m Gonna promises or at least goals. I do find new beginnings make it easier! It’s hard to believe I’ve written blog-type posts since my first blog year in 2007.
For those who secretly set resolutions, you might like THIS read. I found it helpful. Sorry to those with a paywall. Perhaps you can spring $5 a month to reach new heights!
2023 MY garden I’M GONNAS
1) Living in the moment! It might seem like I do, but I don’t really. I’m always juggling three things at once, so it’s hard to focus on any single concept with two other thoughts competing for my attention.
2) The Bee Better Naturally garden means everything to me, as does Bee Better Naturally with Helen Yoest. I need to give this much more focus without others in the room. By that, Bee Better Naturally will get my full attention. The Joslin Garden has taken away much of my time with BBN; frankly, I’ve given too much. Something has to give.
3) Finish! (Only I know what this means ;) )
Remember, every journey starts with the first step…there are no missteps, only new beginnings.
During the recent cold snap, a Facebook follower post a response to my worry of going below 10ºf. If interested, I have added the convo below:
I thought what the zone definition for 7B means is that 10 degrees is the AVERAGE minimum winter temperature, not the absolute coldest we'll ever hit? Which defines a normal winter for us. Meaning that there can be winters with higher minimum temps (like the previous 3 or so) and colder winters. Everyone is freaking out like we've never had 10 degrees, or 8 or 9, ever before, and afraid all their plants are going to give it up. Boy, do we have short memories. I moved to Raleigh in 1983 from Minnesota, and I think it was that first winter for me here, that people in my neighborhood were out trying to light luminaria bags when it was 0 degrees out and very windy. Even Duke Energy has apparently been misled by the past three winters into thinking we live in Florida, since that is the capacity they have planned for.
Marilyn, I'm of a different opinion, and since hardiness zones are guidelines, there will be varying opinions. Since I've been in Raleigh (1988), my garden has experienced at least 5ºF, which was a quick dip; even as quick as it was, several plants suffered, particularly the loss of plants listed as Z7b, but not all. In anticipation of this predicted temperature, I didn't do any heroics, but I wouldn't have faulted anyone for trying. Plants are expensive, and again, in my opinion, too expensive. NOTE: When we dropped to 5ºF, I'm not even sure we were at 5-degree increments, I..e., since that division wasn't introduced until 1990 when USDA updated the map to reflect a growing body of meteorological data. While retaining the 10° Fahrenheit system, it broke things down into 5° F zones labeled (a) and (b). During this recent storm, we didn't drop below 10ºF, but given that it was a prolonged cold that also resulted in heaving (something I'm not used to), I think I was justified in worrying, even though there was nothing I could do about it. As it is, I rarely add a plant that doesn't, as I like to say, have a zone wrapped around it. While I will add Z7a plants, I rarely add Z7b additions unless I know it is a microclimate to give it a better chance. Here's another way I look at it: Averages/guidelines have to come from somewhere, so while the temperature is an average, so is the root zone of a particular plant. Ten degrees F means something to me! I don't want to go, nor predicted to be there, or even hover around. Oh, and with so many new introductions, many recent introductions in our gardens, breeders are learning, particularly in the Triangle area's horticultural hub, and would no doubt appreciate some feedback.
THE BEE BETTER NATURALLY GARDEN
I love having a fire while working in the garden. Read more about that HERE!
“Moving Forward is an example of the art in the Bee Better Naturally garden. To see more, click HERE.
Flowering maple, Callianthe megapotamica 'Orange Hot Lava' growing at the base of the pomegranate tree in the Mixed Border
Mixed Border North to South
The Back 40 (ft.) North to South
The Back 40 (ft.) South to North
The Back 40 (ft) Gazebo Corner—Twenty years or so, on a garden tour in South Carolina, I saw a gazabo covered with confederate jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides. I thought the gazebo would have been encased within five years. Not so. I noticed this year that fullness has finally arrived. The look still isn’t what I expected, but it’s good enough, but I will take my clippers to her to tame the entranceway.
The Epimedium Patch Epimedium x rubrum remains to be seen if those I planted this year will return after being nibbled to the ground. Right now, there is no sign of them.
The Wildflower Patch is located on the Southside of the back porch. It’s in deep shade—I like how well this fills in. The cyclamen I transplanted here did well, even BIG clumps.
The Wildflower Patch Extension is just east within The Wildflower Patch, under the towering yew, Taxus spp.—I need to add more here; I think native gingers would be awesome.
The Mixed Border, South to North—The best part of using leaves as mulch; when the trees continue to drop, they blend right in!
The Southside—Summer is this season. In January, I will cut back the hardy kiwi vine, Actinidia arguta.
The Ostrich Fern Garden is to the east of the fountain, with an open area. I think 2023 will be its year!
The Front Fountain Garden is an oasis bed, receiving water from the fountain splash. Since I renovated the area around the reservoir—adding dirt from erosion, removing a lot of plants, adding rock around the edge, and, best of all, adding Japanese fishing floats instead of water plants. The maintenance has dropped by order of magnitude. Plus, I love the look!
I’m happy to report that the Japanese fishing floats didn’t break after the horrible freeze spanning multiple days. I’m surprised but pleasantly so.
Ode to the lone persimmon ‘Fuyu’
The Food Forest is in the front garden on the south side. I only had one fruit on the persimmon this year b/c I pruned last winter to manage the size. I will not prune this year, so I will see how many fruits I get next year.
Food Forest Expansion was created from a spot closer to the house. Along the path, Ii planted several low-growing bulbs. I hope I have a show this spring.
The Front Beds plus The Parterre
The Raspberry Patch
The Pollinator Garden is located on the Northside that still receives intense afternoon sun.
The North Side was hard tip by the artic blast we experienced over Christmas. They should recover, but the acanthus arn’t looking very happy right now!
The Girl’s Garden
The Wildlife Pond