Build Your Own Butterfly Garden: Prepare Your Fields

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."--Solomon

If the urge to plant hits before the last frost date, channel that energy into preparing the garden spaces!

Having the garden areas ready will give you something to do and make sure you aren't overwhelmed when planting time comes.

This year, I experimented with several beds.

1. Cool weather hoop houses

   

   Hoop house

   I've wanted to build hoop houses and have cool weather crops, so I put up three 3'x6' hoop houses in December/January and put in seedlings for arugula, red lettuce, beets, and Parisien carrots.

   Once I figured out the process, it took about 45 minutes to put one together.

   1. Three untreated pine boards (6' x 6")

   2. Three 3/4" PVC pipes plus holders

   3. Nails

   4. 3mm plastic (10'x25')

      
      
      
      

2. Clearing the old Zinnia bed

   My former zinnia bed is currently hosting some potatoes and some zinnia seeds as well as a row of crocus. I cleared it out after the last frost of 2024 and mulched it for 2025.

   

   
   

3. Setting up a raised bed area

   This area in front of my dead hedge is rocky with a layer of vinca that usually grows over it. It's also one of the few flat areas on the property.

   
   

   

   Sweet potatoes and herbs. Flowers are on the heat mat.

   I put down landscapers' cloth and mulched it. Now I'm using it for sweet potatoes, herbs, and potted flowers.

   
   

4. Setting up new beds

   
   

   I'm paying my son to use a broad fork and turn up this section of land (he doesn't get paid for regular chores, but he gets paid for additional work). He should be finished by May.

   
   

   

   Zinnia bed

   I let the overturned grass die before shaking off the dirt and tossing the rest into the dead hedge. This will be for zinnias and milkweed.

   
   

5. Planning new beds

   I often wander around the property while I'm drinking coffee to check out the various spaces and seek inspiration. I have a new space that I'll clean out soon to plant giant sunflowers for looks and for dye.

This area needs lots of grass dug out. That's my least favorite job.

Planning garden spaces is a delight! Plus, you're never stuck--if you hate it, you can clear it out for the following year.