I did not get a photo of the chickens, but they were free roaming in the back yard which is why this garden features a fence with chicken wire. The hoops in this garden are covered with plastic over the winter, thus the large beet plants. In the third photo, you can see the garlic patch in the far back. A very thriving garden thanks to both chicken and goat manure. We liked the freshly-baked cookies that were for sale!
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A work of art is how I would describe the following garden. Not only are the paths organized neatly with chipped wood, there are special ornamental plants to attract pollinators, and there are attractive artifacts. I especially liked the pump and the decorative "tea cup" piece. The gardener has active worm compost bins (in an area outside the fenced garden), and uses the compost to enhance the soil. Photos cannot do justice to this lovely garden spot. Note straw used as a mulch--this is commonly seen in Ballard.
I wished that I had asked about the hardware cloth used to frame some of the beds. Perhaps slugs don't like the metal?
In this third garden, I was intrigued by their use of old bricks for a path on the boulevard. Using a wedge, the bricks were split in half, making them easier to form into interesting patterns, and the split side is face up. More brick is used in the backyard. But the gardener noted that if the filling between the bricks is permeable, weeds are inevitable.
In the backyard an artichoke is growing--I saw several on the tour. This may have been the gardener who said that his chickens even ate the poisonous rhubarb leaves! But the chickens do more than peck away at the greenery and lay eggs--their manure is an important ingredient in the composting in this garden.
Watch for Part 3!
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