After several days of rain we are finally ready to plant the herb garden.
We are changing the herb garden design this year. First we dug-out the perennial herbs and have them stored in bins near the greenhouse. Then Wayne tilled the entire field to remove weeds and prepare the ground for mulch. After placing the mulch down I spent a day measuring and staking the new layout for the herb garden.
In the past the herb were planted in long rows, but we are going for a more formal, permanent herb garden design now. The basic design is made of several triangles and intersecting pathways. In the field, at the moment, it looks confusing. But once the herbs are planted and the straw is put down on the pathways it will be beautiful.
There are two reasons we are changing the plan for the herb garden. The first is so that we can encourage perennial growth and establish a permanent location for the plants. This will reduce our need for seeding and transplanting new herbs each season. This way will be able to reduce the amount of plants we need to grow each spring, reduce weed growth and establish stronger, larger plants.
The second reason is so that we can invite visitors into the herb garden. In the past visitors have been discouraged from exploring most of the farm. We are establishing zones that visitors can explore. Over time we will include plant markers that explain the various uses of the herbs and introduce some medicinal herbs and edible flowers. The ‘wandering’ herb garden will not be a picking garden for customers, however I am sure that the aroma and colours will be enjoyable.
The children’s display garden is incorporated into the herb garden design. This is where we have a variety of veggies, pumpkins and flowers growing so that children who come on school tours can see up close what the plants look like and how they grow.
At the entrance to the herb garden we are planting grapes. We have never tried to grow them before. To begin with we will pick the fruit ourselves, but if they establish well in our climate we will include grapes in the u-pick operation.
The far end of the herb garden has been planted with GIANT pumpkins. I hope that we will be able to get a few really huge ones for kids to take their pictures with at Halloween.
This end of the field is also the entrance to the labyrinth site, another new feature of the farm. At the moment the site is just grass. We have cleared most of the wild brush and will put down a weed barrier later this week. After that a load of rocks, sand and gravel will be used to outline the labyrinth. I have been measuring and designing the labyrinth over the winter and we are excited to get started on it. It will be the third such site in the valley, the other two are located at St. Michael’s Retreat in Lumsden and at Spirit Haven in Craven. All of this is part of our Destination Ag-Tourism plan for the farm. More ways for visitors to enjoy their time spent on our land and more reasons to make the journey out to our area, plus it is fun and aesthetically pleasing!
Another busy weekend, lets hope this sun shines on us all day after the long rain.
