Everything but the pink flamingos

There is something so amazing about the act of planting. Perhaps it is one of the few chances we have, to give something back to the earth…

Last weekend, I started a vegetable garden; a small part of my larger Peace Garden. I prefer to grow edibles in containers and raised beds, but I will also be using edibles as ornamentals in the front yard. The raised beds will contain a rotating crop of beets, kale, chard, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, carrots, garlic and edamame.

The metal containers are from the local chain hardware store and they are excellent at reflecting light and keeping the soil hot. They will be home for raspberries and strawberries. I am still scouting locations for my tomatoes. Not completely sure which part of the yard gets the longest amount of sun.

I am most excited about the front yard. The color scheme is hot pink, orange and chartreuse. In addition to euphorbia, roses, bamboo, New Zealand flax, Green Envy zinnia, pampas grass, Heuchera, honeysuckle and this really cool shrub with pink tinged leaves, I am also using rhubarb, Swiss chard, runner beans and lettuce.

Am I going a little overboard..? Most definitely…but how often does one get their spouse to agree to a hot pink, orange and chartreuse front yard.