
When preparing a new perennial flower bed keep in mind that it should be wider than a bed for annuals. Perennials grow in 3-6 feet diameters or more so your bed should be 4-8 feet wide to allow the depth needed and to create the visual panorama you are looking for. Rather than creating a rectangular or square bed add some curves to the edge. I do this by laying out a garden hose to help visualize the garden. If you are looking for shade this is the time to plant a tree in your garden.- First you dig up the grass that is there removing the top layer of roots. Next the soil must be turned over using a spade or rototiller.
- Now add your topsoil to the bed. I suggest you order garden top soil from a local supplier who sells it by the yard. Wheelbarrow the soil to your bed and spread it to a depth of 8-12 inches. It is important that your flower bed be raised to allow for root growth and drainage. When ordering soil you are paying mostly for the trucking. If you order too much soil it can be piled in a back corner of your garden for future use or as is always the case a neighbour will gladly use the rest.
- All of the above sounds like a lot of work but it is good for the soul. You now have a beautiful bed with lots of rich topsoil and a clean palette to decorate with plants. Digging a hole for your perennials will be a pleasure not a chore.
- Preparing a flower bed means getting dirty and physical no mater the size of the garden, so while you are at it you may as well do it right.
- One valuable lesson I learned through several expansions is make the garden as large as possible while you already down and dirty, you don’t want to be saying 3 years down the road that you wish you had made it bigger.
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About our blog
There a several reasons to have a blog, I suppose, but the number one reason to me is to be able to reach my customers on a more personal level and to able to share some of my perennial plant knowledge as well as keeping everyone up to date on sales, garden tours and any other gardening events.
I am the family historian and would love to share stories about old Blackburn and Budd Gardens with you. I also have some great photos from back then.
I would love to hear of your gardening experiences and to see and share photos of your garden.-
Recent Posts
- Preparing a Perennial flower bed
- Montreal Botanical Gardens
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- 1895 ‘Blackburn man drops penny’
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- Yard at Budd Gardens
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- Blackburn in a different time
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- Welcome back Jennifer Budd/Taylor again
- Theresa Budd our grandmother
- Peter Budd our grandfather
- Blackburn The Early Years
- How we became perennial plant growers
- Royal Wedding
- Welcome Back Janet
- Hired Help
- Plants are Growing
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