In March, I wrote about the creation of my newest garden space, a raised bed planted using the square-foot method (of planting in 1′ squares). I’m happy to report that the garden, so far, is a success – turning out early producers spinach, radishes, and arugula. Left to right, top to bottom: ‘Easter Egg II’ […]
My garden
Ferns and ephemerals
Hello. I’d like you to meet Shooting Star, aka Dodecatheon hendersonii. This sweet little thing is one of the native wildflowers blooming in my backyard “woodland bed” right now. Like many of the spring ephemerals (so called because of their fleeting nature), it’s not exactly a show-stopper (but just look at how it wows en […]
Using common ground to create a new garden space
Last fall, Ben and I built three raised beds and installed them in a small grassy area above the parking garage for our townhouse complex. The area was rarely used, so we decided to build a mini community garden to be shared by interested residents. (We also photographed the making of these beds for my […]
Spring gardening kick-off
My community garden plot. Broccoli, garlic, cabbage, leeks, kale, and a heavy rye/clover cover crop make for a lush-looking garden — even in February. While much of North America is having an unusually harsh winter, here in Vancouver, it’s downright balmy — much to the chagrin of the organizers of the Olympic Winter Games! The […]
Six new annuals from Proven Winners
One of the best things about being a garden writer is receiving plants to trial. Nurseries and growers send writers and other horticultural industry types their newest plant introductions so we can try them in our own gardens, provide feedback, and—hopefully—fall in love with them and rave about them to others. I especially like receiving […]
Garden Tour: Andrea and Ben’s urban patio
Today marks the launch of Rock n’ Scroll: the Heavy Petal Garden Tour (woot!). See gardens from around the world, and share your garden with the whole wide web. Here’s how. To kick off the tour, I’m sharing my own back patio with you. Enjoy! The basics Gardeners: Andrea Bellamy and Ben Garfinkel (with daughter […]
Outdoor seating makeover
I’ve been looking for seating for our back patio for what feels like forever. I had a very specific idea of the clean, modern look I wanted, but it was a classic case of champagne taste on a beer budget (the Equinox sofa, at top, retails for over $2000). So when I saw this old […]
Growing shiitake mushrooms
Me, the day before Lila’s birth, preparing to drill holes for shiitake mushroom plugs. (I also lifted rocks and pushed a car that was out of gas that day; I figured that at 12 days overdue, it couldn’t hurt). I’ve been wanting to grow my own mushrooms for a long time now, even listing them […]