I wish I could! Mike would kill me if I created any new beds.... although, I could just expand the ones I have...

Tracy

No, but I two or three seasons of different plants in the same beds, does that count? The other day I went out to collect seeds into paper bags and dumped out the bag of nigella seed. That will be interesting!

I'll have to expand in some way - I was already planning on putting in a new raised bed any way. I'll have to get going soon though - as I would like to direct sow most of the seeds in the fall. I didn't have great luck with WS seeds last year - I think we just get way to much rain. Most of them molded. Or it could very well have been operator error! ;)

fiwa

I probably will.
I dug a new "hell strip" bed this last year to put in all the plants I grew from WS our cottage garden swap seeds. The orange "raggedy ann" started to bloom yesterday! My hubby and I just stood over it in awe. What a fantastic flower!!!
I am also collecting seeds sent either in the swap or as it happens, by many of the cottage gardeners who sent seeds just in regular trading. I'm keeping my most special seeds for you CG's. Some I'm only getting a few packages of. These are my "Specials". I spent all last night getting the early season seeds packaged and read to roll when the time comes. My "new" drying rack is ready for paper sacks of seeds and I check daily for more seeds that come along.

I'm going to offer to do a similar swap on the Potager forum for veggies & herbs, if Tracy doesn't mind. Her organization of the trade went so smoothly!

Tracy, I think making new beds for plants you grow from seed is very smart. Explain to Mike that when you can afford a new home someday (if you end up wanting one), landscaping is expensive! But you could bring all your beautiful plants with you, and be so much farther ahead of the game :) It sure worked for my hubby. He bought me a whole 2nd yard!!

GGG

I'm definitely doing more lasagna bedding this year- I've got at least a 72 foot length and not sure about width yet until I figure out an outline/shape I like.

GGG- like the idea for a Potager Garden swap too. I'll start thinking about that right now.

Tracy- FORGIVE ME! When you posted the beach pictures, 'ol dorkus here called Mike, Rick! Consider me the village idiot this week.

-Nan

Hi all

good points here

Hazie- I'm not digging quite yet- but i alreaday plan to expand by FAR quite a few beds so that oughtaa do it. I wont even bother starting that until fall though really.

The seed swap will give me stuff to take a crack at wintersowing and then I shudl be able to fill in those newly largely expanded beds for darn cheap. I'm goign to save my own seeds for me too and repeat some favorites. :)

Hazie,
I have to dig a new bed.I dug 2 12ft. round beds and a 20x60 last fall for wsing and they are full.I of course put in alot of roses and bushes for bones,so now I am looking at designs to see how to expand my beds and I think I am going to go straight across the yard and leave an opening to enter the area where my vege gardens are.Yeah,think that will work.Good thing I have 2 dear sons that help me out...I am collecting seeds daily now.GGG would love to know about your drying racks.I sure need something to dry all my seeds on.Do you have photos,instructions?
moonphase

Moonphase:

I use a silver rod from the hardware store, and two plant hooks in the ceiling, then put the el cheapo curtain rings with clips attached to them in the ceiling. Voila! Drying rack. You could hang herbs , flowers or like I do, lunch sacks of seed to dry. Now they make curtain assemblages that also hang from the ceiling, so in the newly built garden office area I think I'll put one of those up in the ceiling. I just use a step ladder stashed behind the door to get to it.

My most recent rack is a make shift one since we are moving nextdoor at some point this summer/fall when our house gets demoed for renovation....so I used two cup hooks high up in a closet, and just strung wire between them. For this I just use clothespins to hang the bags. The closet has a curtain, not a solid door so it gets good air circulation for drying.

GGG

Glynis: I think I'll have to remind Mike that I plan to take all of these plants with me to save us money on buying new ones. That should convert him! Your drying rack sounds like a great idea. I might have to rig one of my own up.

Of course I don't mind you organizing a swap on the potager forum. Go for it and have fun!

Tracy

I'm not digging new beds, but I have been steadily enlarging the size of the existing ones over the last couple years or so.

From last year's swap I've discovered the beauty of Nigella and Nicotiana, so I have been whacking away at the grass surrounding my beds to make room for more, more, more. :-)

Marilyn

I would gladly dig more beds, but unfortunately everything is full and I do not have a lawn, so I can get rid of it either... Then why do I get into a seed swap? I hear you all wonder, LOL! Well, who said I was completely rational? :-)

Eduarda

My garden is very full but I still have plenty of places to squeeze in more flowers.... ((((Addict.)))))

I told Cottage Mom and Cottage Grandma and they are saving seeds to give to the swap too. Tracy-be prepared for a lot of very full envelopes.

Mom has false indigo, heliotrope, lady's mantle, phlox,gas plant, rose campion and lots of hollyhocks that she wants to
donate to the group.

We are very happy you are doing this--Tracy.
Gigi

Eduarda...You sound perfectly rational to me!

Marilyn

So glad to hear others are doing the same thing!
If not making new beds, expanding.....This year I love nothing more than mapping out new beds! the work is killing me! the plans are so much fun!

I keep telling hubby this is it this year.We will just sit back and enjoy all the work we've done........then every couple weeks I have a new plan!..it's all you guys! you
keep my creative juices flowing! I will never be done!
maybe when there is no more grass!hahaha Then I'll sell the riding lawn mower for plants!hahaha

Haziemoon