Dog run garden 2019

We had this fence put up in 2017 for Maximus to have a fenced area to be outside. This has been a lifesaver in the winter!  This view is standing on the back door step looking into what I will call the dog run garden. :)  Mike doesn't want me to fill this area up with plants, so that Maximus has an area to run.  But... this is a fenced in area with only a very brave rabbit venturing in, so perfect for small fruit bushes and roses!

One dead spirea on the left which I should dig up. I made the mistake of transplanting these daylilies here last year - and now I need to dig them up again and move them somewhere. They thrive here for sure but take over!

It is overgrown at the moment and can use a mowing.  Lots to do everywhere which I love!!

Starting from the left (north) side of the fenced area, I planted 2 bush cherries last year in 2018. I ordered them online and they came as a tiny twig with some roots which I didn't think would survive.  But here they are - so far so good.

North side of dog run garden
Lavender planted 2019
2 bush cherries planted 2018

Biggest bush cherry

Bush cherry which is not as big but looks healthy. I think it will catch up.
There is also a tiny rhubarb plant planted on the outside of the fence right at the corner. It is too small to be seen. Planted 2019 earlier this spring.

 Just today I added a lavender plant to this side of the garden.  This will be my third attempt at planting lavender!  It died over the winter the first two times, despite being listed as hardy to Zone 4.  We will see if this one makes it.  It smells fantastic.  If I can find a lavender that will thrive here, I would love to be able to dry it and make sachets.







Next are my two William Baffin climbing roses which I planted last year (2018). I bought these from the Otten Brothers flower farm.  I love these.  A few days ago, the one on the right was in full bloom, but it has gotten battered from the past few days of rain we have had. 3 inches of rain in the past couple days - it has been great as no need for me to water anything.

Gate with two William Baffin climbing roses, planted 2018. Site of future rose archway!

The rose on the right - this one is doing the best

The rose on the left - not looking quite as good. I saw a rabbit running away from this one, so I think rabbits were eating on it, which didn't help!

A few very pretty blooms are still left!

I am very happy that these two roses survived last winter and have had some growth this year.  I want to put up an archway in front of that gate, and hopefully train these climbing roses up and over the archway in the next few years.

To the right of the roses and the gate, I planted a raspberry plant in 2018, and I planted a grape in the corner just today.  It was on sale for 50% off from Otten Bros.

Heritage Raspberry planted 2018

Bluebell grape planted 2019

The Bluebell grape I planted today 7/2/19
On the outside of the fence, in the corner, is a rhubarb plant I planted earlier this spring 2019.
There is also a pot of chives waiting to be planted.

And here is the right (south) fence of the dog run garden.  With the dog himself!  Earlier this year, I moved some strawberry runners from the garden and replanted them along this fence. Without much care they have all survived!  On the outside of the fence are the chives I dug up from the Thomas' garden and replanted here last year (2018).  They have also thrived here!  The large onion at the very bottom lefthand corner of the picture was an onion I bought from the store that I kept too long and it sprouted in the kitchen. I thought it would be interesting to see what happened if I planted it, and it is just about to flower.  I wonder if this can survive the winter!

South side of dog run garden
Chives on outer fence edge
Strawberries on inner fence edge
And the dog!

And here, just beyond the strawberries and chives, are two spirea bushes which need a lot of weeding around them and pruning.  They were here when we bought the house.  I am not really a fan of these here, but as long as they are doing well, we will keep them there.  I do need to do quite a bit of cleaning up around them though.

But, they are flowering nicely now which is a mark in their favor.

Blooming 7/2/2019

Finally, here is the view from the kitchen window looking out into the backyard and the dog run garden.

7/2/2019

It is nice to see the rose in bloom from the kitchen window!  I think it will be even prettier if the new grape vine grows and grows up the fence in the corner.  Then imagine a rose arch there too!  And fewer weeds...