Designing and Planting Our BIGGEST GARDEN BED Yet! (Pssst, it's a Shrubbery) - Ep. 134

This garden bed wasn't in our plans. It didn't even make the list of "things we may want to do this year." But as we started to progress with our garden beds and paths in the front yard near the Common House, we stepped back and thought we just may be able to make this ginormous garden bed happen.
The first plants were in the ground in September 25th, 2022 and by early November, we put in the final plant, (which you'll see in this video). Admittedly we prolonged the gardening process a bit because we wanted to find time to film it all, but this may be one of the biggest (and quickest) garden beds we've put in to date. This garden will primarily be considered a shrub garden, featuring many different types of shrubs, shrubby groundcovers, and herbaceous perennials, which have a propensity for spreading into groundcovers.
Thanks to Espoma for sponsoring this video. Some relevant items that we've featured in this video are as follows:
- Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix - amzn.to/3T8HPXB
- Bobbex Deer Repellant Spray - amzn.to/3FGKzbA
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[@extracaliber432]

The Yin Yang garden.

[@ourcozygarden]

It’s coming together nicely. I can imagine walking through the garden in a foggy morning as the sun is coming up. It will be beautiful 😊

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Thank you. The foggy mornings are really my favorite. So ethereal.

[@davidhuth5659]

The yin and yang shape of the garden is quite appropriate!

[@FlockFingerLakes]

We totally saw the yin-yang coming through. It'll probably look less so when the Front Garden becomes connected to the herb garden. When that happens, it looks more like a bird head from above, which we also liked.

[@sarajones6555]

Your gardens are absolutely incredible, that the pollinator garden came together in such jewel-like intricacy in just a year is staggering! Do you think it would be possible to put a video together outlining your planning process for a bed? Like, do you decide on a theme and then work your way through the layers listing species you'd like, or is it more buying species you like and then planning the bed around that? I'd be really interested in the thought process of the design, if you map and sketch things out. It would be especially interesting to see the planning, buying and implementation of one bed all together. Thank you for always bringing joy into the world with your videos!

[@Alwaysherethere]

I love the ariel shots! You can really see where the progress!❤😊

[@bethanywarner8565]

I made a type of sun tea with hot peppers and mint. I made it strong and then strain and dilute it. I spray it on my plants and so far it’s keeping the deer away. I also put stick in the mixture and soak them, then stick them in my potted plants. The deer leave it alone thankfully.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Solid Bethany. Does it wash off in rain or do you find it stays for a while?

[@michelesteen221]

Beautiful garden bed design. I also love the way you talk about each plant. I have a tip for covering the grass edges around your beds. Place several layers of wet newspaper. It will drape over the sides to provide better coverage.

[@asaliden4584]

My garden beds are edged by a stacked limestone wall. I have a ground cover sheet on the inside up over the edge of cardboard. I’m so fortunate to live on an island made of limestone!

[@jeanniecollier6763]

Use tree chips when trees have been cut down in your walkways as they it will break down and feed the soil.

[@nathan1459]

Amazing how red those fallen maple leaves are with the low sun through them.

[@TheBombson]

the garden layout design is so impressive on its own I find it interesting to follow along and see how you come up with the shapes or arrange them together in a landscape. Also your plant matching is special! Advice like "copying the leaf shape" in this episode makes so much sense. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🍀

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Glad the process of thinking through the landscape design and planting can be useful to you. Thanks for watching.

[@asaliden4584]

Recently found you here on KZbin and appreciate your videos. A tip regarding no dig garden with cardboard, I have clay soil too, but when I’m I’m turning the grass upside down I place it as a puzzle and try to compact the lumps. It’s no problem bc the grass and roots will make it more fluffy and better than the native soil. And you should have at least a double layer, being careful and make it completely covered. You can have even three layers when it’s thinner cardboard. Thanks for your video!❤

[@VioricaCasian]

I created a Snow Fence out of shrubs in 2021 and I planted quite a few of the same shrubs. It's amazing how different it looked this fall already. Excited to see updates to this one.

[@clairevickers8925]

HOW ABOUT USING SOME OF YOUR CUT WOOD TO MAKE AN EDGE TO YOUR PATH. YOU COULD SLIGHTLY BURY IT. ITS WIDE LIFE FRIENDLY AND FREE

[@arttreestick7434]

We put in a metal rim around our big circle bed, then dug in bricks outside that. Grass will always find a way, but it does help, and looks good. I also heard of people using upside down wine bottles, I always wanted to try it, it's recycling :-) plus it's definitely cheaper, unless you can find some discarded bricks somewhere.

[@katherinespencer2073]

When you use a rake, you won't have to walk all over the soil. I use wallpaper in pathways after I'm done. Glue side up to get those early slugs etc that wan to move into a garden with fresh easy to eat plants. Keeps the weeds from taking over the newly disturbed soil too. The evening dew will dampen the wallpaper to help it settle into place but put rocks at the edge here & there as you go or bits of boards across as stepping places. Wont be slippery by the time you come back to weed in 2 weeks time or so. Deer won't like it.

[@jeanniecollier6763]

Cardboard is my hero!! I leave mine outside to get wet so I can lay it down flat better. Use woods chips from trees that have been cut down in your walk ways.

[@limentroll]

Looks great! As a landscaper some constructive crit would be plant higher than you think. Mulching, especially sheet mulching, burying stems and trunks can be dangerous for many plants. Its also better for drainage to mound, so mound more than you think because it settles fast. Edging isn't very necessary, especially if you are having stone paths put in. If you do get edging, spend the extra $ and do steel. You have a good eye so it will be beautiful no matter what you go with.

[@kkfox7822]

It's lovely! I'm about to smother my lawn with cardboard. In the past I've used full potting mix bags over edge grass I want to smother. They are heavy and flexible and when they're done you can move them to another spot. Looks a bit weird but it works.

[@funnywolffarm]

Looks really well thought out. I've found my little stirrup hoe valuable in quickly working recently mulched areas that have some grasses or weeds popping up - just leaves the area fluffy and clean, slowly working the stored energy out of any roots underneath. Also, wetting down the cardboard really allows you to mold it to the contours you're working with. Keep up the great work!

[@graffic13]

This will be a great place for wildlife!!!

[@healthfullivingify]

That's a really nice garden job, Summer. You know a world about plants. I am also an Espoma fan. They create great soil amendments.

[@StreetMachine18]

looks like a nice ying/yang design. with a curved path thru the middle

[@cefcat5733]

Good day to watch Flock.

[@mdalerodger8844]

Please include a downloadable PDF plant list for this video. Well done! I too am excited to see this garden unfold over the next several years. Love your channel. Relevant to my garden zone in the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada. Thank you so much.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

I'll definitely consider that as I finish up planting the garden. No doubt I'll be plugging and planting into spring and summer to flesh out the bed some more.

[@lgarden7086]

💚💚💚I love it! Your last minute garden will give you years of enjoyment. What a beautiful selection of plants…so fun to watch the development. I spray for deer browsing using commercial sprays and concoct my own because they will get used to any scent. When I joined our local garden club one of the members told me he used rotten egg and garlic…so of course I had to try that. When I use garlic I save the tips in a small glass of water and keep it covered for months and it gets super stinky. I let an egg go bad (don’t forget to put a hole in the shell) strain the egg and garlic into your sprayer with water. I just sprayed the last of my commercial spray and added a little wilt-pruf; I think it helps it last a little longer. Love your new garden bed. Thanks for sharing.

[@kimmy6304]

Your entire area is coming together so incredibly well, it's a true joy to see. LOVE the shape of this impromptu shrubby bed, it looks especially nice next to the pollinator bed next to it from above, with both their little paths through them.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Thanks for your encouraging words. We love how it's turning out. Best last minute decision thus far!

[@cefcat5733]

Thanks for providing the info about the Mock Orange. My Dad had one and told me about it 3 years ago. Now the search for the fragrance begins.🍊💭🍊

[@soulsworn13]

Really loving how the shapes of all of the gardens and lawn areas are coming together. It's all complimenting the house and creating a wonderful space

[@Dyshof]

Pretty much impressive to me how much ressources you spend on ornamental stuff. Big respect. Of course I realize that this is not just ornamental. However the challenge will be maintaining it.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

The edges of the beds are the portions that concern me the most as far as upkeep. The interior portions and pruning, not so worried about. Constant encroachment from the grass and clover from the edges. Still seeking a solid solution to keep the edges looking nice all the time aside for a bed edger, but let's see!

[@RHYTHMgirlMo]

True ART at work! Love it!!!

[@reef-pi8353]

i use logs, for edging. i cut the ones that are 4-6" in diameter in 2' pieces and then use them for edging. tucked in the cardboard under them, mulch on top. I use either gravel on weed barrier cloth or just larger pieces of sandstone as pathway.. The logs, if available in abundance can be path/paving material as well. its bit bump.. but it works. and great use of organic material

[@soniawoolley366]

Love the shape of the bed - the aerial shots give u the best layout ! Well done ...

[@paulacothren3591]

I love this shrubbery design. You've obviously put a lot of thought into these beds.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

It's one of the most fun aspects and the landscaping seems to come together faster than the renovations!

[@anastasiawak894]

Beautiful! Very well balanced bed and landscape you guys are creating. So proud of ya’ll🧡🍂🍁

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Thanks so much for the kind compliment.

[@charlesbale8376]

I am always looking for plant suggestions so watching your videos is fun and informative for me.

[@GoingsoloinFrance]

I find sourcing good quality plants at this time of year quite difficult... You did well :-)

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Special thanks to Catskills Native Nursery. We just happened to be there in that area for another gig and they had so many end-of-season good sales. The bed has a bulk of their plants from them.

[@rickyt3961]

34:50 what a great look from the drone! Awesome work! Looking great👍🏾

[@jeanneamato8278]

This was a great project. So glad you did this. I think it will be an important addition to your gardens.

[@kchong0502]

For my border edging I'm going for a natural look. So just long logs and medium size rocks. I thought about metal, rubber, and garden stone edging but wasn't feeling it.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Cool. We began using rocks on the edge of another garden but the grass is aggressive and pushes right through. How much have you had to build up the edges for your grass not to enter in to the bed?

[@kchong0502]

@@FlockFingerLakes Look into landscape timbers for edging. This material is under rated, long lasting, and low cost. You can stack it as high as you want. Hard to avoid weeds or grass indefinitely. I have a mini permaculture orchard. The rows are living pathways. I grow clovers and chamomile in the pathways. Love the smell of chamomile when stepped on. Hoping eventually the clovers and chamomile will smother the weeds.

[@amysgardenstead2879]

Where do you get most of these native shrubs? I use the rock that I have on hand to edge all my beds. I have lots of beautiful granite. Love the Yang Yang design of the shrubbery.

[@sjoerdmhh]

You say the copper beech won't get much bigger. I'm looking out over a row of copper beeches now and they are pretty tall. And the biggest tree (in girth) around here is a magnificent copper beech in a cemetery. Do you have a cultivar that stays small, or do you plan on doing a lot of pruning? They don't grow extremely fast, and will be very pretty when they do get big, so I'd keep the tree anyway :). Oh, and the birds like the nuts!

[@Mikhail-Caveman]

shrubs seem like a great idea because they take up so much space and compete less with weeds. Ya'll aint gonna have any grass left when it's all said and done! lol

[@annmariemcintyre6989]

Very inspirational ❤

[@riawhetstone3725]

I’m sorry about your deer pest pressures! If only there was a wolf sanctuary nearby 😅

[@antonschutte3548]

love your yin yang garden

[@sarahhollingshead6289]

Looks amazing!!!

[@sharonp6672]

I my experience the metal edging is incredibly expensive. I like the one offered by Kinsman in PA but I can only afford it for very small spaces.

[@Jdadkins6198]

Flower beds look really cool! Did you mean to design them as a yin & Yang symbol? That’s what they look like on the drone shot. That’s freaking awesome!! 😊

[@jsaysyay]

kinda perfect imo that it's sorta in a yin-yang shape, and will develop into a different look from the adjacent pollinator garden, thematic. assuming the freezing temps have settled in there as they have in southern new england, because if i wanted to plant now i'd need a pickaxe. hilariously, i ordered some bare root trees, they have yet to arrive. i literally do not know how i will get those into the ground lol

[@sandylunden5782]

Love your videos! Learning so much! Thank you👍

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Glad it's enjoyable and helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@alanconrad8490]

beautiful work

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Thank you. Really looking forward to seeing how it shapes up come spring/summer.

[@gardengatesopen]

Very nice! Love the shape of the bed and the path.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Thank you! We've definitely started to use it a lot more now that the base of it is in.

[@dkulikowski]

Beautiful selections. Who pays for all the supplies and plants? Soil and compost, especially when it is expensive to buy 'bagged'. I guess I am interested in how and who funds your project. You might have said in another video, but I can't seem to connect to it. Thank you for inspiring and motivating others to care for Mother Earth.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Starting a homestead with a group of friends can have its challenges, but sharing in the expenses and investments surely is a wonderful benefit. It allows us to do more and stretch the budget for sure. A project that normally costs $1000 for one person becomes more like $300 when split 3-ways and $250 when split 4-ways. And luckily we all are working outside of what we are working on here, (we talk a bit about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nV6bhWiifZWlq7c), so we can put our skrill to work where we find it important. That being said, we are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating what we can and can't do because everyone's limited. But we trust our investments of time and resources over these past two years and next year that we're putting into the homestead really pays off.

[@dkulikowski]

@@FlockFingerLakes Thank you so very much for taking the time from your very, very busy life style to answer my questions. I will watch the link tomorrow, since the sun has gone down and I try to wind down and pay attention to my circadian rhythm. Being mindful of my computer time. :0) I love your spirit and work ethics, you remind me of my younger days. Take care, stay healthy and happy. Namaste

[@drekfletch]

Did the Knights put you up to this? Have you tried saying it to them?

[@marky3131]

As always a good video. The Ilex Inkberry is a wonderful plant. In our area at least (Ohio zone 6). We’ve had to move ours into some partial shade. It just was not happy in full sun. It is also Dioecious and we have struggled along with many people to find a male inkberry holly. It’s actually really surprising how difficult it has been. We are looking forward to seeing this new bed thrive

[@FlockFingerLakes]

We have a number of male and female I. verticillata here but I think we too will be seeking out the male for this Ilex if it doesn't accept pollen from its cousins. It appears to be in flower and berries at the same time. I think its counterpart is called 'Pretty Boy' though and I'm not sure if it's in production. I. glabra is native to this area though, so even though I haven't identified any yet on this land, I do hope there's one out there and one waiting in the wings for your Ilex too!

[@m.macdonald]

Would you consider willow or hazel wattle edging to edge your raised beds?

[@FlockFingerLakes]

I'd love to consider that for some of the areas that blend into the more natural parts of the land, like the areas that abut the meadow and the lake. Love that essence of "weaving" into the landscape. For this front garden area, however, I think we may consider going with more clean lines perhaps to reflect the more modern, clean lines, that we'll be doing with the Common House. Love that as an option and suggestion though. Thank you so much for mentioning it here because I think others may find it to be a helpful consideration.

[@cefcat5733]

Do you have any plans to use rows of high bushes or trees as a windbreak, or snow, or deer protection anywhere there, where it wouldn't block your view? My neighbors use bushes which are up to 14 feet now. They trim them,as well.They grow up against a fence on 3 sides of the house, so that this is a real thick wall. The wild boar didn't get in there when they destroyed other's gardens because they are planted close to each other. The branches entangle themselves. Some air gets through, however and the leaves come out a bit later in Spring. Their back yard used to be a Nursery. The high old Carolina pines with crows up on them, watch over a spacious, beautifully landscaped garden of grass, beautiful planters, ground flowers and flowering bushes. It is very colorful as well. The elderly couple work on that garden all Summer long. I guess that they have less snow shoveling due to the high bush wall. They do have a long driveway to the garage out back but it must be sheltered from drifting snow due to those bushes playing guards.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Right now on the south-side there are extensive patches of multiflora rose that we haven't gotten too. They are LARGE. They are actually working in our favor right now because they butt up against the older deer exclusion fence and I'm sure they are deterred from getting close to the fence because of those bushes. Now I know why farmers used them as live fences! But that being said, we are eventually going to clear those out and extend the fence down some way-closer to the border of the property line. I'm not sure what type of "living fence" we would consider planting that isn't invasive and that the deer won't eat. But we have been putting dead stumps and trees and branches up against the fence and that seems to also be effective because deer have problems seeing depth and do not know if jumping the fence is safe when it's obscured. They are doing that technique in some of the forests around here and it's been effective. Time will tell though! We are still learning.

[@cefcat5733]

@@FlockFingerLakes Hasn't hunting season begun? I guess 'No Hunting' signs might be in order, at a good distance from the house, as a safety precaution. Please be careful out there. 🦌🦌🦌🦌May the roses protect you and your investment. 🌹🌹🌹 The colors with which you chose to paint your view, are an ever- changing wonder to behold. I loved this video, maybe because it still showed the sunlight of Autumn right through the leaves. 🍁🍁

[@judymckerrow6720]

I have a mock orange shrub that is many many years old. I have never caught a scent from that shrub, rather disappointing, I think it missed the memo that it was supposed to be fragrant. I think that I may plant another one in my back garden this spring and hopefully it get the memo to be fragrant. 🍁🍂🍁🦃💚🙃

[@maryswanson7146]

I also had a huge Koke orange in my previous property that did not get even a hint of fragrance even when You stick your nose in the flower.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Do you happen to know what species or variety it was? Not all of them have equal fragrance.

[@SliceradioAu]

Love it. Looks like a Coke logo from above. ¥£€$

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Haha. It kinda does. On a tilt. When the front bed is connected to the herb garden, it starts to look more like a bird's head.

[@joansmith3492]

Very nice. Zin/zang like!

[@cassandraCC]

Do you need a beekeeper to complete the whole thing? :D

[@tanyal7122]

Looks beautiful I love the shape. From above it almost looks a yin-yang symbol. Question- what do you do once the deer break in😀 Do they leave on their own ?

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Totally. It'll probably look less like a yin-yang when the Front Garden becomes connected to the herb garden. When that happens, it looks more like a bird head from above, which we also liked. And when the deer come in, we basically have to shoo them out and then fix the area where they broke in.

[@xianzhou4755]

Would you ever consider making the paths wider for accessibility?

[@FlockFingerLakes]

The main paths in the Front Garden area will all be accessible, as they will be raised, evened out, laid with stone, and over 4 feet wide. We were hopeful to get to that this year, but the weather had other plans! The footpaths through the garden beds will be much smaller, so it'll be primarily accessible for weeding, pruning, and the occasional pass through.

[@StressRUs]

Thanks so much for this fine reminder of the disrepair Ithaca and surrounds have fallen into: too many humans using too many natural resources (with NO respect for MOTHER NATURE) and producing too much pollution. I lived in Seneca County on my little organic sheep and vegetable farm 40 years ago. On my rare return trips, I am brought to tears by the massive human overpopulation, such that the well-to-do must escape to their own little enclave to destroy a natural area and enforce their own view of what "nature" SHOULD BE. Sad Stress R Us

[@jeaninemarie4103]

Can you x please share where you were able to purchase your plugs

[@FlockFingerLakes]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYvZi3-geJ1knKs

[@katerinavolny3423]

Thanks for all your lovely plant content. I do have some ideas about garden bed edging to offer. I don't think any edging really keeps the grass out, some grass will send runners more than a foot underground, and some will spread by seed. I think cardboard and woodchip mulching combined with a plant based edging will work the best. Comfrey, which is deep rooted seems to work well and provides mulch and nutrients as a bonus. I think these methods then just require light, easy weeding, and cutting into the ground with a shovel around the plant edging to pull back the grass very occasionally. Here is a link to the comfrey barrier method kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJzNlWerj6esoMk 🙂🌳

[@organicelectrics]

Do you have a budgeting video in the works? Here in CA, ~8 native plants from a specialist nursery can cost north of $100.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

We haven't been working on a finance video at all; I don't know but I'd imagine most folks would actually find managing finances to be unwatchable. I'd imagine, however, that some of the accounting professionals on YT will give far greater advice than us since it's definitely not my forte. But I will say that getting end-of-season plants on sale (Thank you Catskills Native Nursery AND even Home Depot for hydrangeas) and going with plugs, which cost closer to $1-$2.50/plug, like we did here with the Geranium and Ceanothus is totally the way to go. 32 plugs of red root cost close to $64. If I were to buy a fuller red root, it would probably be closer to $79/shrub. Sure you have to wait longer, but if you're trying to fill a large bed, I think those plugs are the way to go (and they are easier to plant). Plus the end-of-season sales are awesome. Planting in late September and October before nurseries close mean you get good deals. That may mean you may not get exactly what you want, but those are trade-offs I suppose.

[@organicelectrics]

@@FlockFingerLakes yes I agree a finances video probably wont get too many views lol! Good tips, I'll consider finding plugs. I suppose with California natives here, I'm saving a lot on water!!

[@LillyAnarkitty]

Love getting rid of the lawn and replacing it with native flora!

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Us too! Lawn is over-rated.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Eat the deer!

[@FlockFingerLakes]

Our neighbor just went bow-hunting (as is his ritual) and was fortunate to get a buck.

[@kareharpies]

Im surprised to see you using so many non native hydrangeas. Admittedly ive not finished the video but the two ive already seen are sterile so not even generalist pollinators could benefit from them. To be fair our native hydrangeas arent the most amazing wildlife plants, mainly feeding deer and not prolific enough in pollen to be called a bee magnet. But I would've thought mountain hydrangeas (like "lets dance diva") held some appeal for their flat umbel shapped pollen filled flowers. Again i have nothing against non natives but after your series on specialist pollinators and your bulb episode where you decried the guady floriferous types of flowers, you appear to have landed on hydrangeas that are the height of a plant being strictly ornamental and nothing else.

[@FlockFingerLakes]

I'm definitely not strictly an 'only native plants' person, but definitely prioritize native plants in the landscape for all sorts of reasons, including the specialist pollinators and food plants for insects, birds and wildlife. There's just too many wonderful plants out there to plant with, but in the same breath-our natives are also heavily overlooked and absolutely encourage our nurseries and greenhouses to propagate more native plants for all to enjoy. But I do think folks have to face it that many of our lovely food crops and herbs (hello apples and pears and asparagus and garlic and basil and thyme oh my!) are just too yummy for one not to plant and there are some delightful ornamentals as well that didn't have their provenance here. But overall, we're aiming to have at least 50% natives/nativars in our ornamental garden beds. This one right now has about 36 different types of plants, 73% of them being native and around 1/3 are for specialist pollinators. We leaned more heavily to native here-but not exclusively so. The color and shapes of the flowers-having more subdued shades of whites and pinks had importance in this bed so as to not distract too much from the more detailed pollinator garden. Along with some purplish-red-leaved plants to keep that theme going on what already existed here in the landscape (like that Prunus and our native Hydrangea, Aronia, and Itea, which throw out some gorgeous red shades come fall). We like paying homage to the previous owner in that way instead of erasing that completely. It's part of the reason why it was important for us to create a designated memorial garden as well. It's like layering newsprint. And more gaudy flowers can potentially work in this bed. It's larger. But I think I'll save those for even larger areas like the meadow, where they can hold their own. I definitely find the flamboyant flowers too heavy and too much for a 3 - 4" lawn area. It becomes too distracting personally to my eye and would take away from the beauty of the ornamental beds, like the Memorial Garden that they lead up to.

[@pthomasgarcia]

Bobo