Blog Post

The Blog of Papillon

Chris Schweitzer '20 • May 12, 2020

Part 2 - Design and Planning

I reside in a Co-op with 12 units and 12+ individuals, all with different opinions and levels of participation. As is often the case, a few will take on responsibilities, most will help, and for some reason, one or two will cause problems. Over the years some residents have semi-maintained our gardens, but for a long while no one has done much to keep anything flowering in good condition. As I mentioned, the most I ever did was to set out tomato and jalapeño plants along with some herbs, mostly Thai basil, parsley, and oregano – parsley for the caterpillars and the others for me. Last year I planted a couple Coral Honeysuckle, a Bee Balm, and some Coneflower but with no real plan in place. Only one Coral Honeysuckle has survived. I also put out a hummingbird feeder that saw many more visitors than I thought would show up. It has been one of those mini-successes that give moments of pure joy.

There is a faction in the Co-op that wishes to erect a pergola in our enclosed back yard, but I am ambivalent. Since we are responsible for all of our finances and budgeting I have opposed the expense of installing a platform and pergola structure. This last winter I proposed a compromise: if the Co-op was willing to fund my project I was willing to design and build a butterfly garden that would surround the someday-pergola. Thus, my project was born.

As you can see from the photos, there is a lot of space to fill. My plan was to remove the circular ‘garden’ on the right of Fig. 1 (the south side of the yard) and then expand the rectangular ‘garden’ that contains the Red Maple. 

The pergola platform would be to the north-northeast of the garden closer to the central sidewalk that splits the yard, and the perimeter of the new butterfly garden would border to the south of the Red Maple and extend north of the garden to within a couple feet of the sidewalk(s). The lawn on the other side of the central sidewalk (to the east) would remain the same.

Update: I have recently decided, rather than remove the circular garden, I would repurpose it. I am thinking of removing the existing roses and replanting them in a row along the west edge of the new garden, digging out the perimeter, and placing bricks vertically around the circular garden where the top of the bricks would be flush with ground level, and then seeding with clover.

The first step in the design process was to measure the yard space available. I borrowed a measuring wheel from the VCE office and ran the tape. The yard itself is about 1,934 sq. ft. and the area of the planned garden is about 983 sq. ft. That will allow lots of space for different herbs and flowering plants.

My biggest challenge is to remove the existing turf. It is a St. Augustine turf and a real pain to dig up by hand, especially 983 sq. ft. of it. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to do this. If anyone has suggestions or resources please let me know.

In my next post, I’ll list the herbs and flowers I’d like to plant with the basic layout of the garden.


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