P. Allen Smith Garden Home Style

#VisitArkansas

Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs

There’s a lakeside botanical garden in Arkansas with a few surprises alongside the peonies, tulips, chrysanthemums and hydrangeas. Also surprising? Bathhouse Row’s turn-of-the-century spas, one of the EPA’s “Cleanest Lakes in America” and a Smithsonian-affiliate science museum. Come. Let us surprise you. ORDER YOUR FREE VACATION PLANNING KIT AT ARKANSAS.COM OR CALL 1-800-NATURAL.

Hope Watermelon Festival

Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro

Lake Ouachita, Hot Springs

GARDEN HOME

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4

ALLEN’S LETTER

8cook

YARROW AND GOAT CHEESE OMELET

16grow

12 TO TRY: FLOWERING PLANTS AND EDIBLES FOR YOUR GARDEN

27marge says “I’m WILD!”

20 travel

NATURALLY NEW YORK

12 design

WILDSCAPING, THE NEW NATURAL

30

MARKETPLACE

22 create

THINK ATTRACTIVE

15celebrate

24 shop

33

1.2.3 DONE! – CINDER BLOCK RAISED PLANTING BED

THINK LOCAL

3 WAYS TO CELEBRATE SPRING

spring 2015 | 1

W E MADE THIS! Head Cheese

P. ALLEN SMITH Second Head Cheese

The Creative Mind

JOHN OWENS

KELLY MCLARTY

Guard of the Coffers

Social Butterfly

PAM HOLDEN

MYRA GREEN

Master Marketer and Organizer of All

Technical Wizard

MIMI SAN PEDRO

KATIE LUNSFORD

Keeper of the Head Cheese

The Internet Artisan

Emissary to Our Partners

Photography Hoarder

Task Master

Shop Keeper

LAURA LEECH

TODD ORR

SUZANNE SELBY

BRANDI MORAN

MIKE MUELLER

MARY ELLEN PYLE Scribes

P. ALLEN SMITH • TIFFANY ADAMS • MARGE Makers of Video Magic

BRENT WALKER • DAVID CRAFT • PATRICK GREEN HEAVEN MERCER • JEFF CERINO • CHIP SIMONS Shutterbugs

MARK FONVILLE • JANE COLCLASURE • KELLY QUINN Farm Sentinels

JOYCE SMITH • CHRIS SMITH

GARDENSTYLE . .

grow cook design

2 | spring 2015

The Sharpest Tool

In Your Garden!

Free App

HOMEGROWN With Bonnie Plants

• Note, track and photograph your garden • Weather and reminders • Variety info and grow guides • Fully searchable • Hands-free dictation • Share to social networks

bonnieplants.com/app APPLE, THE APPLE LOGO AND IPHONE ARE TRADEMARKS OF APPLE INC., REGISTERED IN THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES. APP STORE IS A SERVICE MARK OF APPLE INC.

© EHA 2015 BPF 001674

ALLEN’S LETTER

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”

- Rainer Maria Rilke

When you think of your garden— or gardens you love to admire—natural is probably one of the first words that comes to mind. The very presence of green foliage, fruits and vegetables, and beautiful blooms seems to bring the cycle of planting, growing, and enjoying our environment—and thus, the word “natural” to mind.

to create an end result that could only come from a mix of well-chosen plants and the ability to step back and allow them to spill over and fill the space abundantly.

This approach isn’t limited to gardening. Allowing beauty to naturally course through our homes is part of what makes them representative of you and your personality. While it may seem like a venture off the traditional path, it’s one I’m excited to take and I hope you’ll join me for the journey.

However, there’s an even more natural trend or way of gardening that’s taking root around the world right now. Au naturel gardens are the result of the designs that think outside the lines. With rolling landscapes of plant upon plant upon shrub, they give the appearance of a garden that is naturally occurring.

It’s this ability to color outside the lines that I admire in landscape icons such as Piet Oudolf (learn more about his work in this issue’s Design and Travel stories). Rather than plotting exacting landscapes, Oudolf and other adopters of the trend allow their crayons to transcend the lines

BUY

LOCAL 4 | spring 2015

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMER

Share the Bounty,

H oneysuckle V ines .

Aromatique ad

AROMATIQUE‌ a modern classic where fragrance becomes art.

aromatique.com or facebook summer 2014 | 7

SHARE THE BOUNTY! eNewsletter: pallensmith.com/subscribe Blog: pallensmith.com/blog YouTube: youtube.com/pallensmith Twitter: @pallensmith Facebook: facebook.com/GardenHomeRetreat Instagram: @pallensmith Pinterest: pinterest.com/pallensmith Google+: https://plus.google.com

Get a behind-the-scenes view of what goes on at the farm.

Follow #mossmountainfarm on Twitter and Instagram.

6 | spring 2015

GARDEN WEDDINGS

Exclusive events and weddings at P. Allen Smith’s country home, Moss Mountain Farm James Sumpter jsumpter@pallensmith.com / 501.747.9345

cook

Yarrow and Goat Cheese

Omelette

8 | spring 2015

Try this recipe for a yarrow and goat cheese omelet. The yarrow, which can be foraged from many lawns or accessible public spaces in the U.S. or purchased through a specialty food retailer, has a taste that is similar to spinach. Remember to only forage in areas you are familiar with and never eat anything if you aren’t sure of its identity or your body’s reaction to it.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon of butter (divided in half)

DIRECTIONS Melt half a tablespoon of butter in an omelet pan over medium-high heat. Saute the mushrooms in the butter. When ready, place in a prep bowl and set aside. Whisk the eggs together in a small bowl; set aside.

Melt the remaining portion of the butter in the omelet pan over medium-high heat.

Add the egg mixture to the pan and allow it to begin to set along the sides. Use a spatula to move the liquid mixture around the pan and keep any one area from setting too quickly.

When the outer edges have set, add the mushrooms, yarrow, and goat cheese to the center of the omelet. Fold one side of the omelet inward to allow the cheese to melt.

Allow to cook approximately one minute longer, making sure not to overcook. Turn the omelet out onto a plate, allowing the second side of the omelet to fold inward just as the first side did.

2 eggs ¼ cup of goat cheese 1 tablespoon wild yarrow, chopped ¼ cup of prepackaged mushrooms, chopped Salt and pepper to taste

spring 2015 | 9

cook

Thinking outside the lines need not only apply when it comes to designing landscapes.

If you’re onboard with an au naturel garden, I invite you to take this thought one step further with a breakfast treat made in part from foraged foods. Foraging was once a way of survival for our ancestors, and today it offers us a way to reconnect with our food sources and use the earth’s bounty.

cook

YARROW LEAVES

can be harvested in the early spring months through mid-summer. Pull the small leaves away from the plant, and wash thoroughly before use. Treat them as you would an herb or lettuce, by chopping, sautĂŠing, or eating in a salad of your liking.

DID YOU KNOW?

Native Americans used western yarrow for many purposes, such as a tea to cure stomach ailments, a poultice on infected wounds, and as a mosquito repellant.

10 | spring 2015

COLOR TIP NO. 1:

paint with broad brush strokes.

Plant summer flowering bulbs in groupings of five or more.

Learn more on VanBloem.com.

Dahlia ‘Classic Poeme’

design

Wildscaping, The New Natural

An emerging garden design trend is reminiscent of a naturally created masterpiece

One of my wildflower fields at Moss Mountain Farm featuring baby’s breath, cosmos and cornflower, which were all started from seed

Chicago Botanic Garden (Russian sage) 12 | spring 2015

Larkspur that I started from seed at Moss Mountain Farm.

These ‘New Perennial’ gardens are typically characterized by a repetition of plants, lots of texture and contrast, and a border surround that encompasses the space. Any type of plant can work in the space, from the ornamental grasses Oudolf uses to the cosmos I have at Moss Mountain Farm. It’s more about creating a look that appears less landscaped and more like a gift from the land. When you pull all of the garden’s elements together they convey a look that reads as though all the plantings sprang up from the earth naturally. Perhaps it’s this unpretentious burst of foliage, color, and flora that excites the senses and draws even the most leery passersby into its charm.

Verbena bonariensis, liatris and shrub roses look as if they haphazardly sprang up from the ground. spring 2015 | 13

design design

In so many areas of our lives—from the food we eat to the materials we choose for home design and clothing—we’re making a conscious effort to return to our roots and chose the most naturally occurring options.

So, it might not come as a surprise that garden design is also experiencing a rise in popularity for wildscapes, or natural garden looks. This type of design is known as the New Perennial movement, and it’s gaining popularity thanks in part to the work of Piet Oudolf, a Dutch garden designer who has created two highly visible and beautiful gardens in the United States (see our story on page 20 for more on this).

Designers and creators of functional decorative products for your home and garden www.crescentgarden.com 14 | spring 2015

Year Limited Warranty

Follow us

/CrescentGardens

Ways

celebrate

3

to celebrate Spring

Take a Garden Tour Spring is the season for garden clubs and neighborhood associations to open the gates to their best outdoor areas. Take a tour in your area, and you’re sure to find inspiration for your own plantings. If you live in Arkansas or are headed our way, join me at Moss Mountain Farm for a tour of my home and garden, which—this time of year—will include a hillside view of golden-hued daffodils planted across the landscape.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPRING TOURS AT MOSS MOUNTAIN FARM.

Host an Al Fresco Dinner When the weather warms, gather your friends for a sunset dinner or evening meal under the stars. Whether you have a small deck or a large outdoor living area, there’s nothing quite like enjoying good company and good food in the great outdoors.

Get Your Hands Dirty I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better way to ring in spring than by doing a little planting of my own. Whether it’s getting your beds in shape, working on your lawn, or creating stunning containers that will have all the neighbors talking, get your garden tools out and embrace the season.

spring 2015 | 15

grow

12 to Try: Flowering Plants and

Edibles for Your Garden

‘Cat’s Meow’ Catmint (Nepeta) This catmint has a naturally refined habit compared to other Nepetas, meaning it won’t require constant trimming. The foliage forms a dense, rounded mound of flowers that will bloom in early summer and again in early fall, if deadheaded.

16 | spring 2015

grow Superbells® Pomegranate Punch Calibrachoa Thanks to its continuous color and low maintenance needs, this is one of the best calibrachoa available. It has a great upright habit, plus they are heat-tolerant and disease resistant.

Sunny Anniversary™ Abelia Developed in France by Minier Nursery, this flower’s colors—buttery yellow with a pink throat—are a unique hue for the variety. The fragrant blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, but remain deer resistant.

Lo & Behold® ‘Lilac Chip’ Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) A small variety, this bush grows to just 24-inches tall to form a tidy mound that is perfect for perennial or container gardens. This variety is also seedless, so there’s no need to worry about it becoming invasive.

Enjoy the fragrant flowers— as well as the butterflies they attract—in summer and early fall.

My Monet® ‘Sunset’ Weigela Think of almost every color in the rainbow, and you’ll see the shades of the ever-changing ‘Sunset’ Weigela. It will start out as green or chartreuse, and then purple foliage develops. In the fall, you’ll see the ‘Sunset’ shades of red, orange, and yellow. While pink flowers are also an attraction, the foliage is the main draw, making it ideal for an edger.

Tiny Wine™ Ninebark (Physocarpus) Hate to prune? Thanks to the Ninebark’s habit of growing straight upward, you’ll never need your shears.

This dwarf-size version will grow to just four or five feet tall in full sun. Enjoy dark foliage year-round with pink and white flowers in the late spring.

spring 2015 | 17

Photo credits: Proven Winners® and Bonnie Plants™

Superbells® Cherry Star Calibrachoa This is a brand new offering that features cherry red blooms with a yellow-star pattern. The cascading flowers have a long bloom time, making them a great choice for containers.

They may also attract hummingbirds.

grow Photo credits: Proven Winners® and Bonnie Plants™

Handsome Devil™ Viburnum There’s a reason they call this shrub a “handsome devil.”

It produces elegant, glossy foliage that makes for an attractive hedge. It’s new growth and fall color have rich orange, red, and burgundy hues. It’s also a great substitute for photinia.

Lunchbox Sweet Snacking Pepper New for 2015, these peppers are packed with beta-carotene and vitamin C. They will grow to two-to-three inches in size—making them a perfect two-bite snack. They are also ideal for mixing into chopped salads or sautéing with other vegetables.

18 | spring 2015

Debut Tomato If you like your tomatoes fast, fresh, and on the large side, then give this variety a try.

The plant has a compact size that makes it suitable for planting in containers.

What’s more, they are prolific producers so you’re likely to have a bumper crop.

Maxibel Snap Bean Also a new variety for 2015, the Maxibel Snap Bean is a stringless bean with loads of flavor. While the bush is compact, they bear large yields within a small timeframe. For a continuous harvest, you’ll want to plant the beans every 14 to 21 days.

Amish Paste Roma Heirloom Tomato This variety originated in an Amish community in Wisconsin—hence the name.

They are an excellent choice if you plan to can or make a sauce or paste. Expect fruits to be anywhere from 8-12 ounces in size.

—P. ALLEN SMITH “I’ve used the perennial catmint for years in my garden design work, but I’ve found this new introduction, ‘Cat’s Meow,’ to be the best yet. It’s a real charmer and performer. Lots of blue flowers, requires little care and it’s deer resistant too!”

summer 2014 | 21

travel

Radial Bench, a long wooden bench curves the pathway for an entire city block between West 28th and West 29th Streets, looking South. © Iwan Baan, 2011

Naturally New York

Manhattan’s High Line Park Ready to take in an au naturel garden for yourself? I suggest heading to Manhattan’s High Line public park. The esteemed wildscape creator Piet Oudolf won an international competition and was selected to create the planting design for this garden.

Detail shot of one of the three Rail Track Walks at the High Line at the Rail Yards. © Iwan Baan, 2014 20 | spring 2015

Not only is the planting design of the High Line distinctive, the park itself stands out due to its location: on top of an old freight rail line that is elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. In 1999, a group of community residents fought to save the historic structure. After winning that battle the group, known as Friends of the High Line, became a private partner to the city of New York to make sure the space is always maintained at the highest standard or the enjoyment of the city’s residents and visitors.

The garden’s design is a series of nooks that consist of this au naturel garden technique.

Inspired by the self-seeded landscape that grew along the tracks after they were out of use, today you’ll find grasslands, thickets, passages, and overlooks all within the confines of the elevated railway park. It’s almost like having a forest that emerged naturally in the middle of America’s largest city.

To learn more about the High Line and its design, visit thehighline.org.

Falcone Flyover, an elevated pathway passes between historic warehouse buildings, between West 25th and West 27th Streets, looking North. © Iwan Baan, 2011

to Take in the Natural State’s Natural Beauty

Pinnacle Mountain State Park Located on the outskirts of Little Rock near my farm, this is the perfect after-work destination for a quick hike up the mountain, which overlooks the Arkansas River.

Devil’s Den State Park For waterfalls and gorgeous stone, head to Northwest Arkansas’s Devil’s Den, which is nestled in a valley of the Ozark Mountains.

Mount Magazine State Park If you’re looking for the absolute best view, head to Arkansas’s highest point, Mount Magazine. Hiking, mountain climbing, and a well-appointed lodge make this a yearround favorite for locals and tourist alike.

Find out more about these parks at arkansasstateparks.com. spring 2015 | 21

travel

3 Spots

create

Think Attractive

Create a wildlife habitat that’s beautiful and beneficial

22 | spring 2015

create You don’t need a farm of your own to create a habitat that will attract birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. Plant containers on your patio or fill your beds with options that will invite wildlife into your yard.

Hummingbirds

Take for example, Black-Eyed Susans, these cheerful flowers are a favorite for many gardeners and are also loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. You can grow Black-Eyed Susans in a container or plant them in a sunny area of your yard. Black-eyed Susans will also self-seed easily, so if you do plant in the ground you may have a bumper crop by the next year.

Give hummingbirds an extra treat by setting out a feeder. Pick a red feeder because the birds love the color. The sweet syrup gets moldy, so wash your feeder every week. Once a hummingbird detects mold it won’t come back to the feeder.

See Red

Ornamental grasses can also be a great way to attract wildlife, especially birds. What’s more, their varied color scheme and leaves can add texture and visual interest to your garden. Try ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass for color that goes from light pink in the spring to tan in the fall. This variety can be grown in containers as well, but know that if you plant in the ground it won’t become invasive as some other grasses will tend to do.

Research other plants and varieties that are native to your region to create a haven for the earth’s creatures right in your back yard. I also suggest adding in birdfeeders or birdbaths to further invite feathered friends. Whatever you plant, be sure to take a few moments to stop and enjoy the beauty of the nature interacting through this unique relationship between the plants and the wildlife.

First Nature 16 Ounce Hummingbird Feeder is easy to fill and easy to clean.

spring 2015 | 23

create shop

Think Local

Hometown Garden Centers Offer Variety, Hardiness, and Expertise • Native and rare varieties abound.

Because local nurseries have an interest in their community and know what thrives in their region, they’re likely to have the a great offering of regional varieties—both ones that are well-loved as well as plants you may not have tried.

At the first sign of warmer weather, I tend to jump at the chance to get out into the garden, and that usually means a trip to my area garden center. Through the years I’ve found some of the best varieties in our locally owned nurseries, not to mention helpful associates and nursery workers who seem to be as eager to dig into the season as I am. If you’re looking for a reason to shop local, here are a few more motives to check out your neighborhood nursery or garden center when it comes to spring planting: • They shop locally too. Many local nurseries get their plants from nearby growers meaning your purchase not only supports the local nursery, but also the farm in your area where the plants were grown. Because these plants come from nearby they haven’t endured hard travel, and may be in better shape than similar ones that have been imported.

24 | spring 2015

• They know their stuff. Many times you’ll find the owners watering shrubs in the morning or talking with customers. This type of customer service is something you’ll come to rely on as you continue to grow and cultivate your garden.

Plus, they might have a great new plant suggestion for you.

• You’ll be part of a following. While you’re getting your plants—and occasional advice—you’re likely to hear about other gardening or educational opportunities in the area. Many local nurseries offer workshops and resources to introduce you to the gardening community and planting practices.

• Location, location, location. Local nurseries and garden centers are often centrally located, meaning you can walk or take your bike for small purchase trips.

SwivelGrip is a game changer. ™

Revolutionary Flexzilla® Garden Hose now includes SwivelGrip™ fittings with a comfortable grip to make it easy to connect your hose to spigots and attachments. Swivel action ensures that kink-free Flexzilla Hose extends without twisting, so sprinklers lie flat and yard work is more efficient. Find out for yourself why Flexzilla is the official garden hose of P. Allen Smith.

Click for video demonstration

Flexzilla® SwivelGrip Garden Hose

• Extreme all-weather flexibility • Will not kink under pressure • Lightweight, abrasion resistant • SwivelGrip™ fittings (patent pending) • Lifetime warranty

flexzilla.com/swivelgrip fall 2014 | 27

“I’m WILD” My cat Marge has spent the winter reading up on Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious, which has piqued her interest in her primal past. This interest has prompted her to say that I don’t understand the inner

workings of her mind because I’m not educated on the wild ways of the feline.

Apparently I’m repressing her inner beast.

And so she’s begun a campaign to enlighten me. Every few days I find a few words of wisdom scribbled on a Post-it® note stuck to the refrigerator door. Something to ponder with my morning cup of Joe.

Cats aren’t pack animals & don’t recognize hierarchy.

You’ll never be the boss of me.

I’m hardwired to prowl & pounce. Unless you’re okay with me picking my own prey, give me plenty of toys & play with me.

Since the dawn of time cats have hunted alone.

Solitude is instinctual.

I like you, but I like my own company better.

mine.

Everything is itory As a loner terr nt is very importa hy to me. That’s w on I rub my scent the house. everything in

spring 2015 | 27

28 | spring 2015

2015 Garden Home Lecture Schedule Spring has me hitting the lecture circuit and I’d love to meet you while I’m on the road. Join me at one or more of these events.

MARCH 2015

MAY 2015

March 21, 2015 Detroit, Michigan PROVEN WINNERS OUTDOOR LIVING EXTRAVAGANZA 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Tickets are $80 and include five workshops, lunch, gift bag and a free plant.

May 08, 2015 Holland, Michigan TULIP TIME FESTIVAL 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. lecture with book signing immediately following Tickets are $35 per person. Visit TulipTime.com to learn more and purchase tickets.

March 28, 2015 Little Rock, Arkansas POULTRY WORKSHOP AT MOSS MOUNTAIN FARM 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Seven sessions covering everything from the basics to poultry processing.

Tickets are $90.

APRIL 2015 April 11, 2015 Grand Forks, North Dakota GARDENING SATURDAY Register online before March 27, 2015 for the early bird rate of $40.

April 17, 2015 Cincinnati, Ohio CINCINNATI FLOWER SHOW Ladies Day Luncheon and Lecture 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $75 for continental breakfast, lunch and lecture.

April 25, 2015 Hurst, Texas PROVEN WINNERS® DAY AT CALLOWAY’S NURSERY Demonstration and book signing starting at 1:00 p.m.

JUNE 2015 June 13, 2015 Little Rock, Arkansas HOMESTEADING WORKSHOP AT MOSS MOUNTAIN FARM Learn the 123 of urban homesteading.

Tickets are $90.

June 20, 2015 Newport, Rhode Island NEWPORT FLOWER SHOW 3:00 p.m.

Visit NewportMansions.org to purchase tickets.

AUGUST 2015 August 30 - Sept. 1, 2015, 2015 Mackinac Island, Michigan GRAND HOTEL FLOWER SHOW

SEPTEMBER 2015 Sept. 12, 2015 Little Rock, Arkansas POULTRY WORKSHOP AT MOSS MOUNTAIN FARM 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are $90.

spring 2015 | 29

MARKET PLACE

SAY “HELLO TO SPRING WITH SEASONAL

Must-Haves FOR OUR HOME AND GARDEN FLEXZILLA GARDEN HOSE With a lifetime warranty, this hose offers all-weather flexibility, a form that won’t kink under pressure, and it is memory free—meaning it will lie flat and coil easily.

Flexzilla.com for stores.

JOBE’S® ORGAN GRASSSHIELD™ Remove unsightl grass stains caus with this organic which attaches t hose-end for eas application. Ava at amazon.com garden centers.

CRUISER BICYCLE Let the good times roll on a bike that has plenty of room to bring along a picnic and a blanket. walmart.com

FLOPPY HAT Shield your face from the sun’s rays with a stylish wide-brim hat.

30 | spring 2015

TUBULAR ROUND BUD VASE This modern bud vase encourages you to enjoy spring blooms in any room of your home. shop.pallensmith.com

SMITH & HAWKEN® CAGED LANTERN STRING LIGHTS String a set of these festive, lantern-style lights along your porch to light up the night. target.com

NICS™

ly yellow sed by pets protectant, to your sy ailable and

AROMATIQUE THE SMELL OF SPRING® Bring the outdoors in with a candle, colorful potpourri, or room spray in this light and refreshing hyacinth scent. shop.aromatique.com

PLANTING A NEW PERSPECTIVE If you are interested in replicating Piet Oudolf’s style get a copy of his recent book, (Timber Press).

CRESCENT GARDEN ESTATE SQUARE PLANTER Square planters add classic elegance to any style garden. The nice thing about this design is it is made with a lightweight material and has attachable casters so you can move it around with ease. crescentgarden.com

GARDEN FAUCET HOOKS Add a bit of nostalgia to your potting shed or mudroom with these whimsical organization hooks. shop.pallensmith.com

PUDDLE-PROOF FIELD BAG Keep your planting and pruning essentials close at hand with this weatherproof caddy. gardeners.com

spring 2015 | 31

Can You Guess This Heritage Breed?

Be Sure to support your local 4-H/FFA chapters and to visit your county, state and regional livestock and poultry shows to help further the cause.

SPONSORED BY: Manna Pro速, Hubbard速 Life & Hubbard速 Homestead answer: Crevecour

34 | fall 2014

1 .2.3 DONE! Cinder Block Raised Planting Bed

MATERIALS NEEDED: • 12 cinder blocks • 4-5 large bags of potting soil • plants (10 arugula, 4 kale, 6 broccoli, 6 Swiss chard, 4 strawberry and 10 purple viola plants were used here) • trowel • heavy plastic to use as a liner (optional)

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Outline the area where you are going to place the bed, clear the area and use newspaper or landscape fabric to prepare the ground.

2. Use the cinder blocks to create a rectangle, placing four blocks on each long side of the rectangle and two on either end to complete the shape. Position the blocks so the holes of each one are facing up.

If desired, add heavy plastic to use as a liner.

3. Fill the center of the rectangle and the holes in each cinder block with potting soil. Place all of your plants, add additional potting soil as needed, and then water the bed.

GET MORE DIY PROJECTS LIKE THIS ON BONNIEPLANTS.COM!

spring 2015 | 33

A garden really lives only insofar as it is an expression of faith, the embodiment of a hope and a song of praise.

Russell Page, The Education of a Gardener, 1962

visit us at PAllenSmith.com to find more of your favorite recipes and creative tips.