Well, no rain and big time (for us) freezes have killed off a lot of stuff, so I have a lot of cleaning up to do this winter!
I'm going to tear out everything from my herb garden. It got over run with nasturtium this year! I'll lay down different colored paving stones, leaving a few blank where there is creeping thyme. Then my large pots of herbs hopefully won't be overtaken by the nasty nasturtiums! We'll get some, but in a manegable amount! I can also re-do all of my gnomes into something entertaining!
I also got some really large pots from a neighbor who moved to Hawaii, so I can re plant in some of these (those plants froze also even though I had them under some trees!
Plans????? Nancy

Hi, Nancy!

I don't have a fall/winter garden. My garden goes to sleep in late October and doesn't do much until April. Right now, I'm planning a few changes for the kitchen garden...

The arbor looks good and I like the beds that surround it on three sides. They need some work and I will probably need to move some plants, but I like the layout. It's the other side of the garden that needs some help.

I have a bench for the far end, but in between I have a round bed with the top of an arbor over it. We call it 'spidey' but it would be great for growing beans or cukes over the top with potatoes underneath.

Here's an older picture of the big arbor...there are beds on each side of the bench and they surround the arbor on three sides. {{gwi:1155204}}From Lavender's Garden

Here's spidey...LOL {{gwi:1155205}}From Lavender's Garden

I have another bench on the opposite side of the garden (past spidey) and I plan to have a bed on each side of the bench. On either side of spidey, I want to add a triangular shaped bed (actually a diamond) with lattice down the middle, so a triangle on each side. This should work well for tomatoes and other veggies I don't want the deer eating. Plenty of room to plant herbs and flowers the deer don't like around the edges :)

Quick sketch... {{gwi:1155206}}From Lavender's Garden

This post was edited by lavender_lass on Wed, Jan 1, 14 at 23:51

I build things, and I am planting groundcovers, trees and shrubs so they don't totally fry trying to establish in summer. I am in San Jose, zone 15-also without rain but all winter long. I have been nursing my frost-hit citrus tree babies, and I am still harvesting raspberries from these crazy Italian bred ever-bearers!

I built lovely wood cages to support these berries, five foot long rectangular boxes with cross members to support the canes, and stuck some finials on top of the uprights. Also filled out the under planting of alpine strawberries.
I am making a grape arbor next weekend to span my driveway.

I am installing solar powered light strings to give nighttime enjoyment- this garden is surrounding the kitchen door entry yard where all friends and neighbors sneak in to help us eat dinner, so I may as well make it pretty :)

I am planting apple trees in a cordon along the driveway- opposite the berries- and considering chamomile and creeping thyme to carpet the ground- it's all wood chips from previous owner and I have to go slow as I want to install some stone pavers but only can afford two at a time .

I am trying to make the garden areas look established and formal, my house turns 100 this year and is in a very visible urban neighborhood on a busy street so I can't have a tangle of dead tomatoes or blue tarp shade structure showing . My potager surrounds my driveway and side entrance and is very visible from the street. Hundreds of people walk by daily and I gotta show off!

Anyhow, that's my winter, happy to read of others actions for more inspiration!

Pea

Pea, a grape arbor over the driveway is an absolutely brilliant idea! Thank you!

Jennifer

You're welcome :)

I have a small lot, so I must squeeze everything in where I can! Hoping the birds don't find a need to perch on the arbor and poo on my car ...

Pea