Renovating A Garden Bed

Last fall, when I made my 2009 spring gardening “to-do” list, I must have been fantasizing about our Zone 3 spring weather. The assumption was that all of the white stuff would be gone from our yard, the soil in the garden beds would start to dry out enough to work with a fork or spade and the morning sunshine would energize me. Instead, there is a foot or more of snow blocking my path to the greenhouse and covering most of the garden beds and I am experiencing a definite reluctance to look out the window in the morning or to check the outdoor thermometer. Whatever was I thinking!

Mark Twain had it right when he wrote: “In the spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather in twenty-four hours”. He must, at one time have lived in Minnesota!

So instead of sharing how I remade an old garden bed new again, I’ll just have to relate how I intend to do that whenever my fantasizing spring arrives. The garden bed that is most in need of a renewal is the Circle of Peace where the perennials – hostas, coral bells, Jacob’s Ladder, ferns – are, frankly, a mess.

The first step will be to empty the bed, after there is enough growth so the plants can be identified. This will be when I’ll divide plants that need it. All of the plants will be placed in a temporary holding bed. I’ll be using our old plastic kiddie pool for the holding bed, placing it in a shady area, covering the bottom with soil, placing the dug up plants on top of the soil, filling in around the plants and watering well. If the weather is cool, plants kept in a shady area and well-watered can survive without any ill effects for two to three days.

The next step will be to dig out the rest of the existing soil. The soil in this bed is very poor so I want to replace all of it. On a tarp, I’ll mix one-third of each of the following: peat moss, manure and coarse vermiculite. I’ll let my associate gardener, Ted, figure out the amounts to buy so the mixture will fill the bed.

After the bed is filled with the new mixture, I’ll decide which plants to replant, which ones to share with family gardeners and which to repot for the Master Gardeners’ plant sale in May. I’ll leave space in the replanted bed for annuals, either in containers or in-ground, and, also, for decorative items. Everything will be watered well and mulched. When the plants are getting established, it is essential that they receive an adequate amount of water.

Other reasons for renovating a garden bed, besides the crowded mess of mine, would be to improve the soil, create a new design or if the area is being ruled by weeds. In our Zone 3, spring is the best time to renovate a flower bed as the plants will be established by winter, the temperatures will be cooler and, therefore, easier on the plants.

As for now, my renovation plans will be on hold until spring decides to arrive. Here is a poem by E.T. Helberg which expresses my gardening frustrations and, possibly yours:

“Once a day and sometimes more, I look out my day dream door

To see if spring is out there yet, I’m really anxious, but mustn’t fret.

I see the snow a melting down and lots of mud and slush around.

I know the grass will surely sprout and birds and flowers will come about.

But why oh why does it take so long? I’m sure the calendar can’t be wrong.

Sunshine fills my heart with cheer; I wish that spring were really here.”

If you have garden questions as you await the growing season, call the Master Gardener voicemail, 444-7916, leaving your name, number, and the nature of your query.

Betty Magnan

Beltrami County Master Gardener