Transforming My Pergola Garden

September 16, 2017

Our big pergola project here at my Bedford, New York farm is moving along nicely.

Recently, I decided I wanted to make some changes to the garden beds below my long and winding pergola. A few days ago, my outdoor grounds crew removed a strip of sod along the entire length of the beds to expand the area and give it a nice, clean edge. The next step was to remove all the growing catnip to give the space even more room for the new plantings. And finally, the soil was turned and treated with fertilizer. This phase of the process took a couple days to complete, but it was well worth the effort and the time.

Here are some photos - enjoy.

: Catnip, Nepeta cataria, is a flowering herbaceous perennial in the mint family. It grows up to nearly 40-inches tall and wide, and blooms from late-spring to autumn.

: Catnip thrives in well-drained soil and in full sun to part shade. I’ve been growing it under this pergola for several years, but it was now time to move it to a different location.

: Here, Chhiring carefully removes the catnip from the soil. This process must be done with the utmost care as there are many bulbs that are buried amongst the growing catnip plants.

: Chhiring digs a circle around the catnip and then cuts under the center of the plant to get the bulk of the root ball.

: I decided the best place to replant the catnip was in the lilac bed near my tennis court. I planted this lilac allee about 11-years ago, and it has thrived ever since, growing more beautiful every year. The hedges are already underplanted with some catnip – the additional plants will make it even more splendid and full.

: Chhiring starts by carefully pushing aside the top layer of mulch.

: Using a shovel, he moves the top two to three inches of matter along the entire length of the bed. The crew is excellent at creating efficient production line processes wherever possible.

: Dawa follows by carefully digging and planting each of the catnip plants.

: Dawa turns over the soil in an area that is about three to four inches wider than the plant and about eight to 10 inches deep.

: Dawa then positions the catnip in the center of the hole and backfills it with the soil before gently tamping it down.

: Once the catnip plant is in the ground, Dawa carefully returns the mulch to cover the area.

: Whenever planting, it is vital to water. Here, Chhiring waters the transplanted catnip with at least an inch of water. The crew will water the beds often to keep the soil slightly moist until the catnip puts forth new growth and is well-established.

: I am positive the catnip will be very happy here.

: Back at the pergola garden, all the catnip is now moved, and the next phase can begin.

: Chhiring uses a 520 Broadfork from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. It is a five tine, 20-inch wide fork that works to deeply aerate the soil while preserving the soil structure. This deep-tillage tool was designed long ago in Europe and redeveloped by Eliot Coleman. http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/long-handled-tools/broadforks/johnnys-520-broadfork-9677.html

: It uses body weight to insert and maneuver the tool instead of the back and arms. The 48-inch long oiled ashwood handles allow you to cover a lot of ground quickly.

: I think this broadfork from Johnny’s is a big favorite here at the farm.

: This manual process takes a few hours to complete, but it is an important step to ensure air, nutrients and water can get into the soil where plant roots can gain access to them.

: Chhiring continues down the bed – each time stepping onto the broadfork, pressing it into the soil and then moving it backwards towards his body at a 30-degree angle before lifting it out of the dirt.