I have been putting in a garden for my daughter and therefore, managed to write only one blog last week. I will get back on track writing now, on Mondays and Thursdays, and sharing with you my adventures in the garden.
My daughter’s yard is small and narrow – a kind of suburbia setting in a small, rural town. Her house, unfortunately, is a duplex; and disappointingly, it is on the north rather than the south, so sunlight is limited. The back yard is encased by a white plastic fence, as are all of the other yards on the street and on the street to the west. I do not mind a challenge; however, and I choose to see the possibilities rather than the limitations in this small space. There is an alley behind the back yard, which will provide extra growing space, perhaps for some evergreens, which in turn will provide a much needed windbreak.
A few weeks ago I implemented a small landscaping project next to her front walk. The front yard is extremely narrow, providing only about six feet where it then joins that of the neighboring duplex. I planted three dwarf Alberta spruce, which will grow no taller than six feet; and two Mugo pine shrubs, which will achieve only three by three feet in size. It has added some much needed curb appeal; and the little trees are already thriving due to the recent, and very rare, abundance of rain that we had last week.
Little by little, I hope to put into practise many of the permaculture concepts that I have come to understand. So much of the precious rain was lost as it poured out into the street, so I will integrate rain harvesting into the garden. I will, as always, keep a compost pile constantly cooking. While there is not enough space to plant a food forest, I hope to include at least a couple of fruit trees, as well as fruiting shrubs and possibly grapes. This will be for human enjoyment and also for the birds. Half of the back yard has been covered with a concrete slab – a perfect place to build, if not an actual greenhouse, at least a sunroom that can be utilized on cold winter days. I have been blessed with a creative mind, with which despite the limitations this outdoor space poses, I will transform my daughter’s property into a mini-paradise.
