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My Bunkhouse Garden
is Born From a Discarded
Pile of Dirt
The Bunkhouse Garden is located; you guessed it, around our bunkhouse. I like to name the gardens which surround our home because they cover so
much area. I have to find a way to keep everything straight.
That poor bunkhouse was very sad and lonely when we first moved here in 1999. It just sat there in the open, with nothing but dirt
and weeds around it. I convinced my husband that we needed to fence the bunkhouse into our yard, since it was so close to the house.
The view out the front door
of our bunkhouse.
Drought Tolerant Plants are a Perfect Fit for Montana
After it was included in the main yard, we built a wooden path to it using the material salvaged from our old deck.
I wanted to grow something next to the path, so my husband mounded dirt up against one side of it with our little bobcat loader.
We planted juniper there and covered the ground around them with rocks. Juniper grows in some of our pastures naturally, which means
they are very drought tolerant plants and native to Montana.
The rock was hauled from our fields and pastures; load after load.
Needless to say, our kids hate rocks now! They were a lot of help though.
An Eyesore?
The Bunkhouse Garden in it's first year
I can't even remember what Wade was digging out next, but he ended up with a big pile of dirt beside that old bunkhouse. He kept
telling me he would get rid of it as it was quite an eyesore, but I wanted to keep it right there. It just added dimension and character,
I thought.
Let's Plant on It!
We planted Cedars, Russian Sage and a bunch of ground cover plants on it. Some Cranes bill, Sedum, and Daylilies...and of course,
more rocks. All of these are very drought tolerant plants and are perfect for our dry conditions...so are the rocks!!!
This is the same angle
as the 'before' photo
(above) in just
a little wider frame.
Look at how lush
a pile of dirt
can become!
The mound of dirt is
seen here, just to
the right of the
bright pink rose bush
on the left.
The Only Area We Have For Gardening Roses
Rose bushes live in this garden; the only place we have them so we can give them special care. I have a nice climbing rose next to the
gate that the kids gave me for Mother's day a few years back. It's not one of the grand climbers that grow to 20 ft. or more. This one
maxes out at about 7 to 8 feet, but is gorgeous when in full bloom (as the photo shows). Climbing Roses don't really climb either. You
need to tie them up and train them around fences and posts. That can be a pretty ouchy job! I wear welding gloves and long sleeves.
A climbing rose my husband
and children gave me
for Mother's Day when
the bunkhouse garden
was in it's
first year.
This rose blooms
profusely in June
(pictured above)
and then pleases us
with a lighter showing
throughout the
summer months.
Roses Provide an Abundance of Olfactory Stimulation
While carrying out the tasks involved in gardening roses there is an added benefit which more than makes up for the oodles of
scrapes and scratches their thorns inflict thanklessly on the caretaker. Olfactory stimulation is something roses provide the
persistent gardener with abundance. The minor injuries endured in trade for one of the most pleasant aromas on earth become
almost imperceptible.
There is no grass in our Bunkhouse area; I love the gravel paths that wind through it instead. We have to
spray the weeds, or pull them by hand to keep it looking neat and tidy. I'd rather do that than mow grass though!
Step Through the Bunkhouse Garden Gate
The view outside my
Bunkhouse Garden Gate.
Stepping through the
large, log arched gate
leads to one of
my favorite places; My Bunkhouse Garden!
Enjoy your own favorite country garden spots~or create a new one this season.
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