08/29/2026
Wow! The transformation here in 1 year has been incredible! We met Lynda Spencer last spring (2025), and she had the goal of turning this space into a cottage/ pottager garden.
The challenge was the invasive Sorbaria sorbifolia aka false spirea that had taken over the area had to be removed first.
That was challenging because it spreads on running roots and had spread quite far. But with our trusty spades it was no match. We dug those, some buckthorn and everything else in the area out to start fresh. Then, we leveled the earth to place the raised beds that Lynda had, in their final spots.
We filled the beds hugelkukture style with logs, branches, leaves, and other organic matter followed by soil.
We dug a berm and swale to capture rainwater from the bunkie roof and created a little raingarden. The beautiful moss established by itself and is looking beautiful with the native plants we added. Cardinal flower, blue lobelia, Canada wild rye, virgins bower, snowberry, many asters, rudbeckia and heliopsis to name a few. This was hard work but very fun and rewarding. I'm so happy that we could help create this beautiful space buzzing with pollinators for Lynda to work and garden in!
Showing the volume of sorbaria/false spirea in June of last year
The transformation. Picture taken yesterday, a little over a year from the previous picture.
Showing Lyndas beautiful cottage garden with an abundance of vegetables and pollinators!
The rain capture garden with a soft covering of beautiful natural moss
1 year apart
