This is a before and after, but in a different way, as before there was lawn. And now, a potager. Or is it a kailyard?
In any case, this project started back in the winter, when I had dream time to stare out the windows and dream of a kitchen garden. Or, is it a keuken tuin?
In this, I had a challenge. The area that was most suitable for a gemüsegarten, as it was close to the kitchen, and a relatively open area in full sun, is also the area in which the propane line, the phone line, the fiberoptic cable and other necessities of modern life are buried. I called the "Call before you dig" line, and filled out requests on line, but the only one that showed up was the phone line marking guy. I asked him how accurate the marks are, and was told, the line could be 12 inches either side and 3-10 inches deep. So, not accurate enough to dig post holes comfortably around the markings.
Thus the challenge became how to build a garden without digging, so raised beds, but it also needs a deer fence. Deer fence needs to be 8 feet. Sigh. And, truly, the deer have not yet been devastating to our foundation plantings, so I am not totally sure how fierce a fence I require. Also, I don't want to completely block the view of the mountains from the porch. So, a fence needs to be open, and wire can be added to strengthen the deer prohibition.
Out comes the graph paper. Many incarnations later, I settled on a design to keep posts 8 feet apart for easier fencing, and contained 12 side beds that are 8'x4'x21"- 6 to a side, and center beds, lower, for herbs. I want a gate to the side that faces the pool, for the next garden phase; perennial beds, and area for a garden house, or will it be another tuinhuis? Also, I want it to have a patio, where we can sit and have an Aperol in the evening, and tea in the morning.
I decided to use Eastern Red Cedar for the raised beds, as they have robust longevity. I found a small business just north of us in Culpeper, VA, Whole Heart Farm, that would mill and cut the wood to length for us, and they even notched the caps properly for my tall red cedar posts and labeled everything! Wow was that a pleasant experience! It made building the beds so much easier. We still had some challenges, having decided not to do any leveling to minimize problems with the supply services underground.
This is the view from the back door of the area to become a keuken tuin, or is it a ogród warzywny?
And, now, the kitchen garden. Or is it an orto?
This is what the yard looked like, facing back at the back door ( it is hidden behind the overgrown butterfly bush.)
And, now, from the back side of the potager. Or, is it a vegetable garden, with flowers?
The center of the herb beds have a bird bath, that came from my parents farm in Maryland. The birds have found it for their evening ablutions.
It is so hot and sunny here, it looks like even the sunflowers are shading their eyes!
This side of the garden gets more shade than I'd like, but it seems adequate to the tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. The corn is slow to come, but the butternut squash seems to be producing nicely.
I do love a cutting garden, so this year three beds were dedicated to that with zinnias, cosmos and sunflowers. The center herb beds seem to be quite happy.
It is delightful to walk past these beds and see all the butterflies, bees and hummingbirds that stop in for a snack.
And, tomato sandwiches are probably one of the most perfect foods. Because of my food issues, I really can only enjoy tomatoes that are garden grown, and allowed to mature on the vine. So, this time of year is precious to me! It is a great joy to just walk out back for each meal.
And, after about 6 pm, the patio is in the shade, and can host an evening cocktail. Likewise for morning tea. But, I tend to gad about for morning teatime. Horses and gardens are equal to a long morning putter.
One of the future phases is a more purposeful entry from the back door to the garden. In the meantime, the butterfly bush that had gone wild got a whack back last autumn, and we just walk around the irises and sedum.
When I was designing the gemüsegarten, I kept gravitating towards the "X", the most unique letter in FoXcroft, and how when X's meet they make the precious diamond. The diamonds, Xs, squares and rectangles of order in the garden satisfy my desire for organization. And, then I'm quite happy to have life spill right over the edges.
I love the pea gravel base to the garden. It crunches satisfyingly underfoot, and has a delicious color.
In the birdbath herb bed, some of my favorite scented geraniums contribute their leaves to bouquets. The one in the foreground is rose scented.
Having the pool so nearby gives a cool balance to even the hottest days. I am interested to see how the garden evolves now that the structure is in, and ready to play!
The color of the Eastern Red Cedar is evolving, and will continue to do so. When it was delivered, it was gorgeous shades of pink, peach and cream, like a tequila sunrise. It has already softened and mellowed, but will become in the next few years a soft gray color.
The gate at the center, there, is not yet affixed, as it is super heavy, so I am not sure it will stay. For now, it is a place holder. Also, note the lemon grass in the foreground herb bed! I must figure out how to make Thai food.
One last Before and After.
This is the view of that patch of ground in July 2020, when we were working on buying Foxcroft Farm.
The photo is taken from the sleeping porch off the master bedroom.
The screens of the porch make the photos blurry. But, when you look out in real life, your eye sees past the screen.
And, July 2021.
The new kitchen garden.
Or potager?
It is a keuken tuin, right Opa?
In any language it is a little slice of heaven at Foxcroft Farm.
