Curb Garden
Much is made of ‘curb appeal’ when you sell a house. I often notice that a pretty garden appears, followed shortly by a realtor’s sign. It seems a shame that the homeowners wont’ be staying long enough to appreciate it. Personally, I like the idea of a beautiful curb *all* the time, hence my new and improved curb garden.
The curb garden (take two) is almost ‘done’ or as done as a garden can be. (You can read about my first attempt here). Jazzy’s day care kids are planting carrot ‘starts’ on Wednesday. A few of the sweat peas are direct sow, but I’m planting some back-ups in my kitchen window ‘just in case.’ You can’t trust those birds and squirrels. If I have enough extras, I’ll plant them in the raised beds where the pumpkins are dying back.
The snapdragons were bowing their heads on Sunday, but after a long drink they’ve returned to their perky selves.
Snapdragons
I replanted a few of the original herbs including mint and lemon thyme. They’re looking as tired as I feel, but hopefully they’ll perk up now that they have nice soil wrapped around their roots and room to grow.
The Curb Garden includes:
1 Achillea millefolium aka yarrow ‘Pink Island‘
3 Scabiosa ‘Vivid Violet‘
3 Eriogonum Grande Rubescens ‘Red Buckwheat‘
3 Penstemon ‘Midnight‘
4 Lysimachia ‘Goldii‘ trailing golden plant
4 Cilantro
18 Snapdragons in assorted colors
I bought all of these plants at our local Almaden Valley Nursery. My friend Doug recommended the yarrow for repelling some insect pests while attracting beneficial ones. Yarrow attracts predatory wasps, which drink the nectar and then use insect pests as food for their larvae. It also attracts ladybugs and hoverflies.
The Mighty Yarrow
I learned further that yarrow:
is also planted for improving soil quality. Its leaves are thought to be good fertilizer, and a beneficial additive for compost.
It is also considered directly beneficial to other plants, improving the health of sick plants when grown near them. Source, Wikipedia.
What an amazing plant.
Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the novelty of several new varieties. The snapdragons are the only ‘garden tried-and-true.’
Further good news: so far no one has asked if we’re moving.
Carrot Starts
Lysimachia ‘Goldii’
Scabiosa ‘Vivid Violet’
Gardening Nirvana 
It’s going to be a real community garden! Lovely Alys.
LikeLike
Thank you, Laura!
LikeLike
What an eclectic mix – I think it is so wonderful that you are making something so beneficial and health-giving for your neighbourhood…… yarrow is a wonder isn’t it. My old gardener used to sing its praises back in the day – you reminded me with this post – many lovely memories suddenly resurrected as I read this post about your lovely curbside garden. Thank you!
LikeLike
You have so many wonderful ideas Alys! The snapdragons look gorgeous, sadly mine have died, I don’t think they like the intense sun here. The yarrow sounds very interesting, I’ll be looking that one up to see if we could use it here too. We’ve just purchased buckwheat as a green manure for the vegetable plots, I like the idea of using plants directly to improve soil quality.
LikeLike
Looks fab Alys! I kind of got lost at the nursery for a while there. We should head on over there when I visit. I can’t believe how many types of pumpkin they sell. The ‘Porcelain Doll’ are really nice and would look good in my decor.
I didn’t know how that about Yarrow. I also had the pink variety in my garden. I like the feathery foliage mostly, the flowers on mine seemed insignificant really. It probably should have been divided to renew it’s vigour because I had it for so long.
You’re going to have the nicest curb in San Jose, have you decided where to add the library? Maybe a cute reading chair too….
LikeLike
I love you for doing this! Definite curb appeal 🙂 I wish more people would do it, it makes such a difference. Great work!
LikeLike
What a lovely thing for you to say. Thanks for that. I share your wish.
It so nice of you to stop by, Anna.
LikeLike
Pingback: Growing Peas and Carrots | gardeningnirvana
Don’t know how I missed this one but the light, feathery look of your garden is refreshing on this cool, rainy day. Love the iron sculpture too. I’ll have to remember yarrow when I have my garden. Love the look of it.Thanks for all the information too. Thanks for having my in your class.:)
LikeLike
That made me smile! Thanks, Marlene. I was just out there checking on things and most of the plants are looking good. Just one or two look a bit droopy since the transplant, but I’ll let them be and see if they don’t recover. The tiny peas sprouted! I’m so happy.
LikeLike