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By Matthew Ambrosio |
Within the first week of moving into our century-old home last June, I began ‘digging.”
Not only to plant, but also for information about its history. The research I uncovered revealed that both subjects were closely related. The home was built in 1905 and was occupied by a horticulturalist named Annie Orr, who was somehow related to the Higbie family of West Islip.
The moment my shovel hit the ground last June, I knew in the back of my mind this was just practice: summer had already arrived. Something compelled me to work the property that has as much history as it did overgrowth.
Is she the source of my inspiration? I’m not sure. Either way, as a total beginner, I am excited to embark on a significant home improvement project: building my own outdoor sanctuary!
My plan is to create segmented, interactive “magical” gardens that are both decorative and functional, using a mix of repurposed and new materials. Our home sits in the center of the property, which provides plenty of surrounding space to play with. I want people to be drawn in by the home’s unique beauty and magic and feel what we feel inside and outside.
I am not expert in flora or in history, but I did spend considerable time in the off season soaking in as much learning as possible, and sharing my own DIY discoveries may help make building your own garden sanctuary less overwhelming and more enjoyable, especially if it’s your first time getting down in the dirt.
First things first, you need a plan! If your surroundings inspire you, begin there.
I myself tapped into online sources like Pinterest to get the ideas flowing. I’ve learned that it’s important not to rush… consider some of the wild, unconventional thoughts that pop up, but release them if they don’t completely gel with your vision.
Start with the basics. I suggest breaking up your space into smaller, more manageable projects. There is hard work involved, and it’s not as easy as the HGTV experts may make it seem!
Be sure to organize everything you need for your project in advance. Take an inventory of the supplies you have available, and consider items that are needed. Consult local sources such as nurseries and hardware stores for supplies, and keep an eye out on Facebook yard sale groups for inexpensive items that can be repurposed. No need to buy new; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
If you’re interested in growing your own fresh, organic herbs and produce, you’re going to need more than just dirt and water get high yields. You need to make sure that your soil is supple nutrient-rich, but some fertilizer and earthworms should do the trick.
To keep burrowing bunnies away, you can build your own raised beds for vegetable gardens simply and economically using wood, namely cedar or untreated Douglas fir, which is readily available locally. Make your beds at least 10″ high and use boards no less than 2″ inches thick, as this will make for a good strong box to hold the soil and plants. Do not paint, treat or stain the boards; doing so can contaminate the soil from which the plants draw their nutrients.
A mandala-style rock garden is a creative project that’s easy for everyone, even those have brown thumbs. Mandalas are ancient circular formations made of natural materials that allow the creator to not only express themselves, but also find their place in the universe and inner peace. It’s great to start with bare dirt so the rocks eventually settle and sort of “cement” themselves into the ground after a few rainstorms.
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If they get dislodged, put them back in their place. I chose a spiral shape and I knew it would really pop with smooth round white stones of all sizes. No need to buy stones, which can be expensive. Think of where and how you can find items to “repurpose.”
There are several items to consider before you get started, and depending on what you plan to do, it can also be overwhelming. Be patient!
I hope you’ll give it a try, and I hope it brings you as much joy as it bring me.
