How to Create a Simple Cottage Garden

Have you ever thought if a cottage garden is right for you? It just may be. We’ve all seen pictures of those quant little cottages with the beautiful rambling gardens and wondered how they do that. That beautiful organized chaos is actually easier that you think. All it takes is some imagination and a little planning to get you on your way.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• fencing
• trellis
• soil
• plants
• trees and bushes
• imagination
• time

1. Surround your garden area with a picket fence or place some accent fences to display climbing roses or vines if a whole fence is not an option.

2. Design a walk from your gate to your door. An arched trellis over your gate completes the cottage look. You can have the trellis even if you don’t have the fence. A trained rambling climbing rose is a great architectural accent.

3. Make sure your beds are prepared with organic material to help enrich the soil.

4. Choose easy to grow flowers and plants for your growing zone. English and Heritage roses are always a staple for the cottage garden.

5. Plant low maintenance plants towards the back of your beds so that the ones that need more steady attention are easy to reach and remember up front. You can soften your pathways with low growing plants or flowering ground cover.

6. Planting small flowering trees and bushes will add height and texture.

7. Fill in empty spots with bulbs or herbs.

Tips & Warnings

• Deadhead your blooms regularly.
• Divide your plant selection between perennials and annuals.

[jillmaria]

on 9/1/2009 Great articles and tips, thanks!! 5 stars!!