This Year's Garden: Off to a (shaky) Start

Today I went out in the garden for the first time this season. It is a late start. The weather is partially to blame but it is mostly me. I have been struggling with severe depression, worse than my usual and it has put a severe damper on my usual springtime activities. I haven't even gotten any seeds started in my greenhouse, an activity that usually would have been complete a month ago. It doesn't help that last years garden season was abysmal due to unusual heat and drought. I finally gave up on the garden around the beginning of August, no longer willing or able to water twice a day to keep plants barely alive in suffocating heat and dry conditions.

I got two small garden beds cleared of last year's plants. It was only about ten minutes of work but I still feel tired. Just a sign I need to get in better shape. Last night I drew a plan of what I would like to do in between a couple of garden beds. I have a small area for herbs in between two vegetable gardens. It is, at present, poorly laid out and a mess of weeds and plants such that I can't even weed without risking pulling up a desired plant. I recently started a Pinterest account and got a few ideas for this particular garden bed. What I drew up is an ideal plan, what will happen if I can accomplish everything I hope to do. My ideas are modifications and adaptations of things seen on Pinterest, so while not exactly original ideas they do have an original twist to them.

Tentative Garden Plan for Summer 2013

Forgive the drawing, I am not the best artist and when I couldn't find my colored pencils I finally resorted to using my son's crayons. The bed to the left is usually occupied by tomatoes, onions, peppers, and sometimes carrots. I didn't draw out a row plan because I don't have one for this year yet. The bed to the right is an established bed of asparagus. It started with one row of asparagus. I added a little more each year until now the bed is completely full of asparagus. This year should be the most productive yet and with a little luck we will have multiple meals of asparagus. In the middle is the aforementioned, current, mess. My plan is to put a concrete walk to the right hand side of the area. I have a TON of bamboo stakes that I bought on clearance for 10 cents a bag a few years ago. I am planning on cutting the stakes to length and pressing them into the top of the wet concrete, leaving them in the concrete to dry. I may put a sealant over the top when done, haven't decided that part yet. On the left hand side I am planning a mosaic of stones and the little glass pebbles you can get at most craft stores.The blank circular areas are where I will be putting my herbs. I will most likely put a pot in the ground for the mint to prevent its semi-invasive spread.

This is an idea representation of my plans. As usual it depends on many factors, ranging from my motivation level to available funding. I will post pictures here if and as the plan progresses. Wish me luck?