How to Create a Cottage Garden
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Cottage gardens are full of pollinator-friendly plants and not too
planned out. I love them because you can find a plant you love, tuck it
in somewhere, and it'll fit right in.
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The non-toxic pest controls work better and are much less expensive
than the poisonous sprays! Mosquito dunks, tick tubes, and deer fences
work like a charm. Neem Oil and Copper fungicide, applied on alternating
weeks, will help with bugs that eat your plants and fungus that affects
their health. For hungry rabbits and squirrels, Bonide's Repel-All Spray
is a lifesaver. It uses this egg solid mixture instead of poisonous
chemicals. It stinks to high heaven while you spray it, but keeps the
critters away.
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Dwarf trees are my secret for controlled shade. Have an area where you
only need a little bit of shade? Dwarf trees are the perfect
fix.
Cottage Garden Supplies
Neem Oil for all natural pest control
All Natural Spray to Repel Pests
Flea and Tick Spray
Tick Tubes
My Personal Cottage Garden To-Do List
Here's my personal to-do list for my garden this summer:
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Remove grass from front yard and create a cottage garden adding seasonal
interest.
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Create paths in the side garden - one with crushers (Martha Stewart
inspired) and the other with Irish moss) again removing all grass.
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Create path to pool with crushers also removed more grass and will remove
grass on either side and plant to create privacy.
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Once they're maintained, they need such low maintenance!
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Side garden in backyard. Remove grass and plant all pollinators in my bird
and bee garden.
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Small lavender and catmint garden on the opposite side for pollinators.
- Create a mural with Ava on the side wall.
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Maintain slate path by weeding between slate and patching cement.
- Add climbing roses to side arbor.
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These beautiful climbing roses are a season-long stunner!
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- Work on sloped front garden to stop erosion and add privacy.
- Add to fairy garden
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Back garden install fence and add more plants this year. This has been a
tough area due to the deer going to watch this one over the summer before
adding more plants since I lost so many last year. Soil is poor so I had a
rock wall installed and added all fresh soil and planted roses and
hydrangeas two years ago but it is not doing too well.
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Create a Japanese garden in the backyard. This is going to be a huge task as
it is a big space. Thinking of starting with planting dwarf trees and
creating paths. Doing a lot of research first.
- Herb garden - growing sage, chamomile, mint and basil
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These look and smell beautiful!
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- Rose garden front right - adding some low plants for weed prevention.
- Front of picket fence. Adding catmint and roses.
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Paint adirondack furniture and maintain rock seating area under Japanese
Maple. The mother of this tree died a few years after I moved in and I was
devastated but she dropped seeds and one took off and is getting huge.
- Paint picket fence and maintain.
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Work on front paths to help with erosion. House is on a sloped side and
water pours down path when it rains. Had to have the entire front of the
house sealed. Working on the front of the fence to avoid the erosion.
Cottage Garden Advice
The best advice I can give while working on so many projects is something I
learned from a mentor many years ago. Do a little of each project each day so
it is not so overwhelming and before you know it you get so much done. This
has worked for so many projects in my life from work to my home.
Yesterday morning was beautiful so before I went to the store I painted some
of the front picket fence and then dug up some more grass for the cottage
garden. When I was out shopping for groceries after work, I picked up a few
lavender plants and catmint and soil for my iris moss path. On a busy
day I was able to fit in some gardening tasks I did not think were possible.
This morning I will be weeding the irish moss path and putting down the soil
and planting the moss.
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The best garden inspiration: my beautiful daughter Ava and Old Westbury
Gardens on Long Island
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