Designing Joy: From Sketch to Sanctuary

During the busy summer, I picture winter days where I’ll get caught up on indoor projects, organize, or snuggle up with a book. Then busy busyness of the holidays comes and goes, and I find that the list of projects continues to grow rather than shrink.

On Christmas day, a picture-perfect snowfall fell, and we were able to get out and enjoy the snow-covered trails. Passing the flower patch now empty and bare, still gave me a sense of satisfaction as I looked over its frame; still looking attractive even without a single plant standing. Seeing the silhouettes of each of the beds made me happy that I was able to design something attractive in every season. Now covered with snow, it seems to look so much smaller now! You would never know how many weekend hours went into creating! Yet, looking back, designing and building the Flower Patch was likely one of my favorite parts of the process.

Christmas Day, 2024

Years ago, I sketched a layout to satisfy my love of symmetry while creating cozy nooks and crannies that felt like a floral maze. It was always in the back of my head. The design balances practicality with charm. I pictured the location being on a flat open area, similar to the very manicured gardens I toured in Europe, however, the location on this hillside is even better than I imagined, as you can appreciate and enjoy the design from various vantage points, much better than if it had been placed on flat terrain.

The Flower Patch is not too far from this original design highlighted in green. You’ll notice my note at the bottom, originally this design was inspired by a potager garden: a garden filled with vegetables, herbs and flowers easily accessible to the kitchen.

When designing, functionality needs to complement aesthetics. In addition to location, sunlight and accessibility you need to think ahead to the flow tending, watering and maintaining. I plan not to use the tractor beyond clearing the space, soil amendments will be done by hand. However, if tilling annually is something you plan to do, your spacing, fencing, and design may need to consider accessibility for larger equipment.

Things I considered in my design:

• Fencing: A barrier tall enough to discourage the deer from nibbling on tender shoots
• Pathways: 4-foot-wide walkways, perfect for a wheelbarrow
• Beds: 4-foot-wide beds, just deep enough to tend from either side

Once the design was set, it was time to bring it to life.

I debated a variety of fencing options—from elaborate designs to economical designs using cut trees as posts. While the rustic idea had its charm, I realized crooked posts would probably drive me crazy in the long run. I chose sturdy 4x4 posts instead, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision. This option is practical and provides the ability to embellish it later should I wish to down the road. When considering fencing, determine what you are trying to keep out, and plan accordingly. If you don’t have deer in your area, you could go with a much lower fence - or eliminate the fence all together!

The posts are set! At this point, it doesn’t really look like much.

While clearing the hillside and setting the posts was a workout, the work had just begun! I wanted to create slightly raised boxes just high enough off the ground to create a definition of each of the beds, and then fill each box with soil, which took an entire truck load of dirt! This process took much longer than I hoped it would, and I was really anxious to get flowers in the ground!

Sometimes I think about making it bigger - especially during these winter months as I begin to make a list of all that I want to plant! However, in the summer when the flowers reach above your shoulders, the garden feels cozy and perfect, a little world of its own. Wandering through the aisles, you get lost amongst the flowers, and forget for a moment that you’re just steps from home.

As snow continues to blanket the ground, I find myself grateful for the garden—not just for the beauty it brought this past summer, but for the joy of building something so special. The design I once sketched on paper has come to life in ways I never imagined. The hillside, is now a space that feels like my own little floral retreat, beautiful in every season.

Winter has a way of sparking big dreams, to me the charm of the Flower Patch lies in the cozy, intimate space it is today. Each bed, pathway, and detail reminds me of the effort and enjoyment I had in its creation.

As I plan for the next season, my mind fills with possibilities—new flowers to try and perhaps a few enhancements. This garden journey has been more rewarding than I ever expected.

I hope you too are dreaming big this winter, this is the time of year ideas bloom in place of flowers!