Sneak Peek of Our New Yard
When we were looking for a house to rent in Portland, the number one question was, “Is there a space to vegetable garden?” We got lucky and rented a very cute little 1940s cottage that came with room—and permission—to garden. The house faces south and the front yard gets bright sunshine all day. In the back, a narrow area just above the patio gets at least 6 hours of southwestern sun a day, as does about 1/2 of the rectangular bed that runs between the sidewalk and our detached garage.
The yard definitely needs a little TLC, but it has great bones. There is a big tree in the middle of the back lawn, which unfortunately has a large broken branch that I need to take care of. Trees aren’t my area of expertise, but it looks to be a crabapple or perhaps an ornamental cherry. I didn’t spot any fruit. In the corner, to the right of the tree and beyond the garage is the perfect spot for a chicken coop and a compost bin.
There is a nice, mossy cement patio and cute brick steps lead up into the yard. I’m planning on putting a large vegetable bed between the steps and the wisteria in the corner. I’m also going to bring down this giant container we have stored in Seattle and place it at the corner of the garage. My least favorite area of the yard is a weedy patch of lawn just on the other side of the patio. I’m tempted to string a roll of bamboo fencing between the house and the retaining wall and just ignore the area…though it would make a very cute gravel patio with an herb garden in the middle. I also think it would be really fun to set up a few bamboo poles above the garden bed and string lights from the house out over our outdoor dining area.
Hi Willi,
November 4th, 2010 at 6:24 pmLooks like your yard has lots of potential. Funny you mentioned the persimmons…I was just hunting for a recipe since I saw so many at my local produce market. (Rising Sun near Roosevelt High School)
Any suggestions?
-Chris
I’m so excited for you guys! I know its alot of work but its such fun planning for new areas to garden. Looking forward to progress pictures!
November 4th, 2010 at 7:34 pmLuckily you are in a city that adores front yard vegetable gardens. I used to have people come by and chat all day long about my front yard garden.
November 5th, 2010 at 12:46 pm.-= Vegetable Garden Cook´s last blog ..Purebred alpine dairy goat for sale =-.
Chris–I’ve never cooked with persimmons, I just like to eat them raw. They are so delicious!
Sheila–Thanks so much! I will definitely be posting photos as we move along.
Amy–I agree! I’m aiming for integrating edibles into a perennial border in the front yard. I’m thinking herbs, raspberries, and blueberries.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:49 amI have to ask a chicken-coop question … as renters, are you going to buy or build a coop? Are you going to bring your chickens down from Seattle to join you later? I’m planning on building my first coop and chicken-run, but am designing it to be modular so I can take it apart should I need to move it in the future. Best wishes on your new venture.
November 12th, 2010 at 10:36 amCool, looks like you could probably bring some rainwater off that roof right down in the veggie garden. A nicely framed spot you have there for a garden. Have fun!
November 12th, 2010 at 12:49 pm.-= Phil Nauta – Smiling Gardener´s last blog ..Lawn Top Dressing – How To Do It Without Actually Hurting The Lawn =-.
Phil–We could definitely collect rain water off the roof! We will definitely have lots of projects keeping us busy.
November 18th, 2010 at 11:45 amI like your new spot Willi. Looks like it has great potential and I’m sure you will take advantage of it. I’m looking forward to my first year tending your old garden in Seattle.
November 30th, 2010 at 12:35 amHi Willi: I wanted to ask how you did your new beds when you start a garden. I used the trench method to dig new beds in my back lawn in November-piling leaves, newspaper and cardboard on top of the mounded sod. But it doesnt look like it’s breaking down and I’m wondering if it will be broken down enough for a spring garden in April. Have you tried this method?
January 7th, 2011 at 2:09 pmMary–Hi Mary, I’m not sure if I am familiar with the trench method. Did you dig up your sod and flip it over and then pile the leaves on top? I’ve done sheet mulching before. That is where you pile cardboard, leaves and other organic material over the sod and leave it for 6 to 8 months. If you just used leaves and didn’t add any nitrogenous material, like grass, you may want to sprinkle blood meal over the leaves so they break down faster. Do you live in the PNW? if not, try to keep the pile damp as well. The main thing you want to happen by April is for the grass to be dead and decomposing. If the other stuff hasn’t broken down, you can always rake it off and put it in your compost bin.
January 11th, 2011 at 9:33 am