Worth the Wait
When I first met Ashlee + Adam, they had recently relocated to Boise. As if a new city in a pandemic wasn’t enough change, they had even more recently welcomed a newborn baby. Atlas was just two weeks old on the day of our consultation. As we talked, we walked around their beautifully landscaped yard. They told me about the fresh ingredients they wanted to grow and cook, like the ones they had enjoyed at farmers markets and in their CSA box where they previously lived. We talked about the foods they wanted to introduce to Atlas as he grew, even the ones he could pick straight from the garden when he was big enough to cruise around its edges.
I explained to them that the gardens I create are ideal for small spaces, and there were a couple areas in their yard where the landscape was struggling. Click through the images below to see these spaces in the early and late spring.
We took some measurements and talked about design. Ashlee immediately fell in love with the black metal moon-shaped arch I showed her, and we designed the garden around that piece.
That piece, however, was on back-order. Many of you might be experiencing stalls in the supply chain in your industries the way that I am. The supply of good quality wood and steel is low, and demand is high. Without even thinking of the expense, some of the materials I use aren’t even in stock anymore, without any idea when they will be again. That was the case with the trellis we used in this garden. We literally got the last one in the warehouse, and it might have even been on that ship stuck in the Suez Canal.
The moon arch is one of the most popular garden trellis styles on the market. It’s beautiful, functional and really ties the space together well. While we waited for it to arrive, we scheduled the installation and began removing the existing landscape. Below are some progress shots of the garden going in.
In one day, we had removed the existing landscape, laid the gravel base, installed the raised beds, filled them and planted the one near the window. While we waited for the other trellis to arrive, we admired the transformation of the space.
The day the trellis arrived, Ashlee’s parents were visiting, and they graciously helped me assemble and install it.
Isn’t it gorgeous? From there, all that was left to do was plant. Ashlee and I talked through tending tips while we planted the varieties of tomatoes, peppers, basil and flowers we had chosen together.
Once every plant was placed, fed and labeled, we stepped back once more to admire our work. The trellis was delayed and difficult, but it truly tied the space together better than I even imagined!
My favorite part about this garden is that it blends so well into the existing landscape, giving this family so many areas to enjoy throughout the growing season.
I know this sounds weird, but I get a little sad on planting day. I truly get to know my clients when we design the garden together, and they often want to take an active role in installation day. We see each other over several weeks and communicate about plants and design and all that the future holds for them as gardeners. We become friends who will share harvests and information about what’s growing well, what we’re struggling with. I know that even if I don’t see their garden on a regular basis (not the case with this one, we’re going to do monthly coaching!) it gives me so much comfort to know that all of these gardeners are out in Boise each morning experiencing little joys, growing confidence and learning about the world of plants. They grow as part of the Boise kitchen garden community, and they grow as my friends. I truly mean it when I say I can’t wait to see how this family grows.
Want to take the plunge and build your dream garden with me? Click the button below to learn more about our new garden design consult.