One of the joys of a new computer is that the hard drive is a blank canvass.
I have tried not to rush into setting up this new computer with all the “same old, same old stuff” that was on my last one.
I am being more selective in the programmes that I am choosing to use, and how I use them.
This has given me the opportunity to redo the database of plants that I have here in the garden, with all the relevant information in one place, instead of scattered about the hard drive.
However, in my database I want to put where in the garden a particular plant is located, which brings me to the naming of things.
Our garden is not huge and is not divided into definite “rooms”. Some areas which already have names are self explanatory;- The Kitchen Garden, The Keyhole Bed, The Cutting Garden …
But what about the rest of it? Shedman and I have been playing around all week trying out various names.
I want to name bits, not only for the database, but also for ease of conversation.
How much easier is it to say, for example,
“Shall I buy this plant for the Hot Bed”
rather than; “Shall I buy this plant for the south facing flower bed by next-doors wall? – you know the one I mean”
But what to call the different areas, and how to define them in such an open garden remains a quandary.
A friend of mine, Linda has a flowerbed called the “jewel border” which I think is a delightful name.
Gail has “The garden of benign neglect” and “The Susans Bed” both of which conjure up wonderful mental images.
But I am stuck. I suppose I could just go with the ponds and call the flowerbeds;-
Top Pond, Middle Pond and Bottom Pond – umm perhaps not.
Perhaps it sounds rather pretentious naming the individual planting areas, but the do have different characteristics with different planting plans and themes, which hopefully will come together to form a cohesive whole that is “An Artist’s Garden”
Meanwhile I am off to ponder this while I weed “The Shrubbery“
(A 14 foot x 9 foot strip of earth, with a bay, a mock orange and something else whose name escapes me, but I cannot look it up on the database, because its not there yet, because I cannot decide what to call this area)
How about you?
Do you name the different flower beds/areas of your garden?
My garden bits have names but I dont have a database of plants on my PC – what a good idea will now have to go and do this. What do you record?
Helen´s last blog ..‘Gardens as Art’ – My thoughts on the debate
I have named the different areas but these are quite broad brush descriptions: “up by the swing”, “around the fruit trees”, “the side garden”. I feel I need to distinguish because the conditions and the planting and what I am trying to do all differ.
I quite like Top Pond, Middle Pond and Bottom Pond, although I suppose they do sound a bit Middle Earth.
It was so good to see you last week. Can’t wait to wander through the shrubbery. Will I need an escort?
elizabethm´s last blog ..Walk on Dartmoor
My names are all a bit boring, but ‘The bottom bed’ always makes me laugh
VP´s last blog ..Showtime- Plant Heritage at Hampton Court
Do please name them, then draw me a plan. That way, next time you are talking about a “bit” of your garden, we can cut out several minutes of you trying to describe which bit it is and me still being confused. Mind you, it is easier now than it used to be. Mainly because you have taught me about so many plants and I even know where some of them are!
My garden is not big enough, so I just have the slate wall border and the one the other side is called after the neighbours. How clever is that?
I have a bed at work, which is Dr Ed’s place. a memorial.
wayne´s last blog ..Return to Frugality
Yes, of course we name our planting areas! Like Top Pond, Middle Pond, mine are geographical (West Walk, Northern Exposure), but I want to change them to be more creative (I love the Garden of Benign Neglect). I’ll need to put some thought into this. I hope you find just the right names for yours!
Laurrie´s last blog ..Chocolate Bells Alberta- where ya been
I’m pleased with the Jewel Border,which describes the colours I want to have in it- nothing pale,nothing ethereal. The spiral garden is what it says, and the Dark Border is…Dark. I’m working on the grass border (mostly grasses ,natch)but at the mo it could be seen as the Six Foot Stingers Border, which would be more accurate.I would like to have more imaginative,literary names,but I think there would be unkind laughter. I love the Pond borders,accurate description and interesting too.
I have been thinking about setting up a plant database for months but haven’t taken a single step towards actually doing it. I want to have pictures with mine and don’t know if I have software that will allow that. I haven’t learned scientific names yet and think the database will help me with that.
I don’t have any names for my planting beds other than the cutting garden, which isn’t entirely a cutting garden (though that was my original intent) and the shade bed. I don’t really have enough planting areas yet to need much description. But I love the idea – and I hope my planting areas will quickly multiply and I will need names. The names that evoke good memories would be my choice.
Ginny´s last blog ..Was it a dream
Linda? Unkind laughter? Serves THEM right. Our garden is full of pretentious names. Bench across the pond is at Rest and Be Thankful (named after the pass in Scotland?) Now that’s pretentious, but then today someone downloaded two pictures of it
And the rose garden is our Paradise Garden, with 4 beds, each with their own name/theme. You can call it pretentious, I call it a bit of fun!
Are you using bento to create this?
Well the wild garden has a extra red poppy in it now, ~I hope you have planted it? I felt Quite sorry for it. Hope your head is better.
I’m afraid mine are things like “left-hand bed” and “right-hand bed” – very unimaginative. What I need are names which will enable R to work out which pot I want him to water – using Latin names of plants (not being pretentious – I mostly don’t know the English ones) is useless as he can’t remember how to tell a Euonymus from a Chaenomeles, and the database is entirely in my head.
That’s a lovely vivid photo at the top of your post
Juliet´s last blog ..Desert Island Gardens 2
Thats a great idea, I defentally need to start naming things better!
I hope you end up naming all the areas of your garden. Such a lovely place deserves eloquence and creative care. I know you’ll come up with some beauties, Karen — and I am glad you’re not in a rush. I’m reminded of that quote, something like, “Adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is patience.”
Meredith´s last blog ..fat cabbage
Naming the areas of the garden makes total sense. I name mine, but unfortunately not very imaginatively. Square Bed #1, 2 and 3. Circle Bed, Asparagus bed …. etc.
I saw a fruit and berry garden named The Pie Garden, which tickled me to no end… but I think the Garden of Benign Neglect is wonderfully descriptive.
As for keeping a database of your plants, have you considered an online gardening journal? Your blog is awesome for showing us the beautiful photos, but you are right that a database is needed.
I have been using a site created by a lovely couple found closer to you than me. It is called MyFolia.com and you can read about it here: http://myfolia.com/welcome/about
Folia is a free online social garden tracking app that you can use to track, journal and share the progress of your plants and gardens.
Folia has been designed from the ground up to be completely dedicated to the art (and science) of gardening.
It is a free site, but supporters get advanced features.
I get nothing for promoting the site, I just love it and have found it immensely useful. It is a community of online gardeners who journal, discuss and argue. But mostly it is a great way to keep track of what you planted where, when and how well it did.
Love your photos and your beautiful garden!
Glad you are back online and happy you were able to keep using a Mac!