I've always liked the idea of Postcards from Provence, the blog where you could go each day and see that day's painting by a very talented Brit living in Provence. This week is shaping up to be my own postcard from the country - my family's home in Springs (near the Hamptons), where I've been going since I was born. Today, I want to share my latest upgrade to the garden that I've been building for Sara Kate for nearly seven years now.
In the top pic:
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These old cedar boxes were falling apart after 6-7 years of use. Rather than take them apart, I decided to clear away their outsides and surround them with fresh, new slices of cedar. This was easier to do and made them a bit stronger for the long run.
Here's a newly surrounded box.
And then after Sara Kate planted it with tomatoes the next day.
I then got to work on the deer fence structure and decided to "point" all the uprights for three reasons: 1. it was easy and fun to do, 2. they wouldn't rot as easily 3. and they're interesting looking. While the garden was going in a French/Japanese direction, it now has taken a gothic turn.
The deer fence used to be made of many metal wires and black netting and didn't look too good. By putting the strong 4x4 posts in each corner I was able to run aircraft cable really tightly around the perimeter and hang light black netting off of that. Now the fencing is sort of invisible. I'll have to do one more layer of netting, but that should be good enough to keep out the deer.
Here's a "before" pic from last summer. Note the thin, stump end posts and the many-wired deer fencing.
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Beautiful garden, Maxwell! How do you find the time??
This looks really great! Where did you get your tomato cages? I'm always looking for good ones.
Dreamy garden oasis....
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has an asian (husband) and french (me) type of decor...
i could totally do this...now to just find the time
thanks for the inspiration. it's perfect!
Beautiful garden! Really like the roses.
Ditto on the tomato cages--how tall are they?
Could you please tell us about your irrigation scheme (I assume that's what I am seeing in the beds). Thanks for sharing!
Texas Tomato Cages - it's worth taking a minute to watch the video. These things are unlike any tomato support I've ever used (and I've tried a LOT) - indestructible, never tip or swap, support giant fruit, don't rust, have extensions, fold flat on a hinge for winter storage.
My friend Maragaret Roach of awaytogarden.com turned me on to them. I am forever grateful to her.
that should read "tip or sway" not "swap"!
I'd be happy to trade my balcony with your garden. Any chance it might happen? No, didn't think so either.
I love your apricot climbing rose, do you know what it's called? I also love how you have a spot to sit in the 'vege patch' it looks like the perfect spot to picnic on what you've just picked.
Those are great--thanks, Sara Kate.
It is so nice to envision my garden getting this large one day--complete with fence and bench.
Yes, I'd like to know the name of the climber as well. And the use or reuse of the fencing is good and pretty to see.
Those pencil posts are bad-$@%&! You're giving the Amish a run their money. Keep on keeping on Max.
please make sure no-one climbs trees/ladders above the scary-sharp posts ...
I, too, love the tomato cages, as mine are drooping over with renegade branches and fruit as I write. And I wanted those pencil posts topped with a nice gray paint, for fun!