Arch Trellises

The first time I saw these trellises I totally fell in love!

They’re easy to build, just a couple of t-posts and some cattle panels, and they’re wonderful for maximizing space

The cattle panels we’re using are 16′ x 4′ which makes them perfect for our beds which are 4′ and 8′ respectively.

We secured ours with zip ties which Nathan carefully went through and twisted off. Evidently, that’s the right way to do it so no one cuts their hand

I don’t know if it really makes a difference but I appreciate the effort – especially with a toddler!

The Mulch Problem

If you’ve been following along since the get-go you may remember that I laid down a whole slew of weed cloth before covering the garden area in mulch.

Well, it doesn’t seem to have helped much.

We had a lot of rain this May and I missed my chance to get ahead of the grass that started popping up through the weed cloth and the mulch.

I’ve been trying to weed along the beds and between them but there’s a limit to how much time I can spend weeding in the last few weeks of pregnancy.

I’m considering covering the whole area in cardboard in the fall and then another layer of mulch on top next spring… I’m not sure yet – we’ll see!

The Flower Beds

I have two flower beds this year, in the backyard anyway, and they’re both doing well so far.

Last year there was a massive bush covering the gas main and this year it’s trying very hard to re-establish itself.

Intentionally planted in this bed is a variety of sunflowers and a pollinator mix for bees and butterflies. I also stuck what I thought was a dud elephant ear bulb in this bed on a whim but the jokes on me, it’s doing great!

In this bed I’ve got all my dahlias, which much to my delight are thriving!

As well as a variety of native flowers and a pollinator mix for bees and butterflies. Once things start picking up a bit I’m hoping this bed will be an explosion of color with lots of different textures.

We had our compost here last year which I think is helping the flowers grow.

Three Sisters Bed

I tried to do a three-sisters bed this year with corn, pumpkins, and peas but alas the corn opted not to sprout. (I think it got too wet).

To make up for the lack of corn I got some bamboo poles and twine and made a very basic trellis for them.

The corn might not have worked out this year but the pumpkins and the peas are both doing great. It’s especially exciting since they were both plants I started from seed.

They’re also Ryan’s two picks for the garden!

He really wanted to grow carrots as well but that didn’t work out too well in the raised beds due to the soil compaction. I have an idea for another spot in the yard that carrots may like – so maybe a late crop in the fall.

I had my tomatoes over here last year, as well as a nicotina and a marigold. The marigold did horribly last year but it looks like it went to seed!

All of these marigolds were volunteers this year. I’m not sure how they’ll do battling the pumpkins for space but I’m happy to let them try.

The Border Beds

I’ve actually got two border beds, one that borders the house and one that borders the neighbors’ yard. These are the ones that border the house and they’re very much kitchen gardens.

This section of the bed has calendula, yarrow, okra, a second variety of basil, and one of my inherited crepe myrtles.

While this section of the bed has more herbs, especially perennials, and a sprinkling of calendula and black-eyed susans.

The big bush in the corner is a butterfly bush and then it’s bordered on each side with lavender. I planted an English Thyme, German chamomile, and rosemary as well.

Special Mentions

Two of my favorite plants this month are my Hydrangea and my Sycamore sapling

The sycamore is in the front yard and still very twiggy.

The hydrangea is filling an awkward shady space along the side of the house.

I really love hydrangeas so it’s a bit of a bummer that mine is a bit hidden from the rest of the yard. It’s a good spot for it though and it has really been doing well.

I wasn’t sure what color it was going to come out but I was hoping for blue – and I got it! So that’s exciting for me.

Overall

May has been lovely. Now that I’ve found a solution for the compacted soil I’m glad we had a whole month of spring. Oklahoma tends to skip spring and dive straight into summer.

I’m still pregnant and these last few weeks seem like they’re taking forever. I’ve also outgrown all my maternity shirts so it’s moo moos for me until the baby is born.

Or crop tops and sweatpants, but that’s not really something I’m going to wear to the grocery store or the park.

What do you think?

Do you have any tricks for keeping grass out of your mulched areas? Are there any plants you want to hear more specific updates about?

Comment below and let me know!

To find out more about what we’re growing this year check out the post What We’re Growing: Year One or to find out what else I’ve been working on this month check out the post What No One Told Me About Postpartum

If you’re interested in what happens next then head over to the June Update