Iplanted a few small gardens in whiskey barrels a couple of months ago and wanted to share an update. I tried strawberries in two of the barrels for the first time. I’ll be honest—I’m learning as I go and don’t claim to be an expert. I haven’t had time to study every technique, so I probably made some mistakes, but the plants have produced a few strawberries already and many more are forming. I suspect you should pinch off some blooms early, so I’ll research that before I write about growing them properly. Maybe next year I’ll do better. For now I’m enjoying container gardening, learning from trial and error, and watching progress unfold.
Lily likes to stand near the pots and sniff the berries, so I think she approves.
I also planted several barrels with organic lettuce, kale, and herbs. We already ate most of the lettuce, so there aren’t many photos—oops. The good news is we enjoyed fresh lettuce straight from the garden and felt a little self-sufficient for a few weeks. Next year I’ll plant a lot more, especially since we eat a lot of salad at home. I’ll also use larger containers to increase yield. Fresh basil and other herbs have been wonderful to snip while cooking.
The snap peas surprised me by growing so tall I had to add a trellis to support them. I planted things a bit randomly, so every new growth is a pleasant surprise. That unpredictability is part of the fun.
It’s enjoyable to be surprised by what thrives.
Jack and Lily love playing hide-and-seek in the bamboo. Jack thinks he’s camouflaged, though it’s not quite working. They have so much fun together outside.
My roses are blooming and smelling wonderful. I’m not a rose expert, but I love tending them—watering, removing spent blooms, and doing a bit of weeding. Bringing fresh roses indoors is one of my favorite simple pleasures.
These are climbing roses, which add vertical interest and fragrance as they mature.
We planted a row of privacy trees along the fence to start filling in the yard’s backdrop. We bought six trees at Costco at a good price. Our backyard used to be barren when we moved in, so progress has been gradual. Each new tree and plant brings us closer to the lush landscape I imagine. Lately I’ve been craving more greenery both inside and out, hence the gardening focus in recent posts.
The plants we put in last year are growing well, which feels like a small victory. The white flowing tree is a hydrangea, and it’s thriving.
This photo shows the patio last fall right after installation.
The backyard is a slow project—our soil is full of rock, which makes planting more challenging. Progress happens one plant at a time, but every bit of greenery makes a difference.
I’ll take new photos soon so you can see how the space looks now that we’ve added more furniture and planted more greenery.
Meanwhile, here are some posts I previously published about the patio:
DIY Firepit & Backyard Progress
Backyard Pea Gravel Patio
I’m inspired by my friend Sandy’s beautiful garden—her space feels magical in person. Her spring garden update and other gardening posts have been a great source of ideas and motivation.
PS. I have a few gardening books on my shelf and plan to consult them now that the garden is underway. I’ll be putting those resources to use and learning more as the season continues.
Happy Tuesday! Have you been working in your backyard lately?