My Garden Haven

Five years ago, one spring day (spring in Northwest Pennsylvania is when it is about 40 º and I am sick of doing things in the house). As I was stacking firewood between the trees that line our yard, I noticed a couple of orange day lilies peeking through from under the woodpile. I had wanted to put in another flowerbed and when I saw the die-hard lilies, I knew this was the spot for my next garden.

After stacking the wood and using the stacks for a backdrop, I started transplanting plants from my other flowerbeds. Right away I could see what a cool, calming atmosphere I had begun to create. Next, I started to lay the garden path with flat rocks my husband and I gathered from our property and filled in with gravel. We put in a fire-ring with more of the flat rocks.

The following year, my son built a five-foot picket-shelving unit for the garden that serves as a bar when we have a garden party. My husband and I put in a 10-foot square brick patio beside the picket shelf. I have a small bistro set sitting on the brick patio that is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning sunshine while reading the paper.