Our New Raised Bed & Planted Dahlias

It all started this fall when Travis suggested we dig up the Pampas Grass - because he hated it. Ever since then I knew it was the perfect spot for a new Dahlia bed! On the first warm day this winter, I painfully dug up the large grass mass and pawned the chunks off on my friends.

We decided to get started on the new bed this Saturday after the plant sale. We picked up some amazing compost/dirt and then stopped by Lowes for the wood. We had a slight disagreement on the design and as always the carpenter won. Apparently, my idea to create a large new bed for my Dahlias wasn't going to work because "we need to be able to walk around the beds" (I totally disagree). Once the smaller new bed was built, I moved the herbs into their smaller home and got to work planting my new and old Dahlias in one location.

I dug up a handful of Dahlias from around the yard and planted into the new bed; leaving maybe six plants scattered around the yard that I couldn't quite fit. Not bad.

I also planted a bunch of new tubers I purchased this winter, including: Walter Hardisty; Bride To Be; Bliss; Crazy Legs; Tropic Sun; Matchmaker; Touche; Star Child; Serkan; White Onesta; and Pink Accent.

I'm feeling pretty good about getting all my well loved tubers in the ground. Now, I only need to wait 2+ months and I'll have an endless supply of fresh cut flowers.

Below is a full picture of all our raised beds in the back yard.
Notice, the smaller/lighter bed past the Dahlia bed - that's the new bed - where I was supposed to plant my tubers until I moved the herbs.

Three of the beds are for our veggies, including along the back fence and behind the herb garden. We also have raspberries and blueberries planted along the driveway, a strawberry bed and various fruit trees scattered about.

So far, for veggies, we have peas, carrots, garlic, spinach, lettuce, and radishes sprouting.

We just planted corn, Cinderella pumpkins, and bush beans.

We still have pole beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and random herbs to plant in a couple more weeks.

So, this is where we're at with the vegetable garden so far this year. I'll continue to share progress along the way.