getting my gardens reay for next year...

[Faery-Wings]

This was the first year I really worked on getting some good plants and herbs into some small gardens and containers. Right now I have basil, lavender, thyme, mint, oregano, hyssop,and chamomile in containers on my patio as it is the only place that gets full sun. I want to add rosemary, a new lavender (this poor one is just struglling still :() and another chamomile. The one I bought's tag said Roman, but as I realized it was growing waaay tall, it must be German. What other herbs would be good to grow in pots?

Also, I have a shady side garden, facing south. Right now it is filled with wildflowers, the shake and pour variety. One type of flower is over taking the whole plot and it doesn't look all that great any more. It is 3' x 7'. The soil isn't great but I can work on that. Are there any herbs or veggies or flowers that could work out in a place like that?

The reason I am thinking ahead (I know, I know~ it is only August! :)) is that there are a lot of sales going on right now for plants, fertilizers, soil etc. I would love to get started in another month or so if there is anything I can do at this point. Or is is better just to wait?

I hope I am not just babbling!8O

Chris~been out in the sun to long today:eek:

[Lavender]

Chris, your garden sounds great! It's such a great feeling to be out just puttering in it, isn't it?

Sweet woodruff is a nice low growing herb that likes shade. It can be used in sachets for closets & drawers & they smell really nice. Sweet Violets is another plant that likes shade. How many hours of sun does that plot get? Is it in the morning or afternoon? There's lots of herbs that take partial shade to full sun.

For your patio, you can also try sage. There are so many different varieties & they look great & very useful as well. Also, scented geraniums are great in pots. You can dry the leaves for your pot pourries & sachets and teas! :)

[Faery-Wings]

The plot faces south and only gets a bit of filtered sunlight. I am surrounded by trees and forest. :) and :( Good for the beauty aspect, not so good for growing things.

Thanks for the suggestions- I have been trying to read up on stuff and I have list going on what I want and need to get.

Do you compost? I would like to get a composter. I used to have a compost pile in the back I would just throw stuff on and turn whenever I got the chance. But we are having such a big problem with bears, I stopped doing that a few years ago. The compost should help the soil quality though, right? Right now the soil is just blah- rocky and clumpy if that makes sense.

Your advice is always wonderful and I appreciate it!

Chris