I overhauled the patio garden. One day I looked at the stupid paving and decided it had to go. It was surprisingly easy to rip it out. I replaced small pavers with rocks in between (messy looking and my little kid loves to try and eat the rocks) with larger pavers and nothing in between.  There was a little extra room that the pavers didn’t fill up and I’m going to plant starts of my mom’s miniature thyme there.

The small pavers left over fit under my potted plants that were previously just on the grass. I didn’t try to level them or anything…maybe later. I’d pulled up the large pavers from the side of the patio where we stored  junk for a while. After pulling them up, I realized I could extend my planting space by turning it into another planting bed. The whole garden is looking much neater and I’m excited for the extra space to plant in.

I’ve been thinking lately that I tend to have a large-scale, expensive view on gardening due to school. Great for clients who will pay me…but not good for my own small garden and non-existent budget. I’ve realized I can do a lot for free, like move around patio stones and taking starts from other people. My goal is to garden cheaply right now, but to still do a lot.

I’ve also realized a garden is never complete. There’s always improvements to be made or places to put another awesome plant or idea. So much never-ending fun! I still need to finish what I started after I ripped up that first patio stone. It sent off a hurricane of activity in my garden.

The tomatoes are huge, but less than loaded with fruit. My brandywine has not a tomato on it. I’m guessing it was too hot too fast, and the brandywine is not as heat resistant as the others. One my sticky geraniums is blooming, and I’m quite enjoying it.