I am the type of person that designs a cottage garden with a 5-year plan and does it in 2 years because I have the patience of a 2-year-old.

You know how you see pictures of people that take a small yard and create a hidden garden with paths and destinations? That is what I pictured.

I read all the articles about taking your time, having a 3-5-year plan, making adjustments along the way, but I think…what could go wrong if I shorten the process by a few years?

When we moved into our home, it had been abandoned and was owned by a bank. It had good bones, as they say, but everything, house, and yard, had been neglected for a long time.

While the house was being restored, part of the yard was under a dumpster, trucks, and material so all I could work on was trying to manage the runoff. So, the first fall I created the rain garden.

The next spring, I started laying out the entire backyard to create winding paths through a cottage garden. But first I had to dig up all the wire grass that had invaded the entire yard.

Once that was done, what was I supposed to do?? I had to fill it with plants, or the topsoil would continue to wash away when it rained. And that is what I did.

I bought shrubs to plant along the inside of our privacy fence and then FILLED the rest of the space with perennials. Some I bought and some I planted by seed.

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, I decided not to do any pruning so that the plants would be bigger and to let everything go to seed so that I would have more plants.  Oh, and I bought four (supposedly) dwarf fruit trees, grape vines and three blueberry bushes. I also planted vegetables amongst the flowers.

I am guessing that you can see where this is going.

Yep, my garden is out of control. I have to admit that I got what I wanted. There are hidden destinations and winding paths, but the amount of work to maintain it is more than I bargained for.

So, what would I do differently?

To be honest, if I had a chance to go back and start over, I would probably do the same thing except:

• I would buy only easy to grow, low maintenance, fragrant, native shrubs to put along the fence. And choosing different ones that would allow for four season interest.

• Instead of the extreme number of perennials that I planted throughout the yard, I would choose more shrubs, and as above, would be native, four-season interest and easy to maintain. I would still have some perennials, but make sure that they are NOT labor intensive and not have invasive tendencies. This is not to say that I planted any invasive plants, but some, such as cut leaf coneflowers are considered bullies. They not only propagate by seed, but their roots create new plants also. They can grow 10 feet tall and blow over in a storm which means that I have to stake them.

• On that note, I would put in fewer plants that require staking. This is extremely time-consuming. You need to start when they are just coming through the ground to place cages or stakes and keep checking on them as they grow to make sure the stakes are adequate and then, you must go out after storms to assess the damage, often having to cut plants back. And this can quickly make your garden look unkept. You either have plants laying on the ground or on top of other plants, or you have stakes throughout your garden.

• I would space plants further apart. Even if they propagate by roots or seeds, if there is space around them it is easier to pull or dig up for friends. And you might get a year or two to enjoy your garden between digging them up or cutting them back to control their growth.

• I would only buy native plants. They are easier to grow because they adapt quicker to the soil conditions, they are more resistant to disease, and they are also more resistant to weather damage. They are also great for restoring habitats and attracting pollinators.

• I would not buy the fruit trees, grapes, or blueberry bushes. For one reason, the squirrels ate all the peaches, the birds ate all the grapes, and my soil is too alkaline to successfully grow blueberries. When I was taking my Master Gardening classes one instructor showed a picture of a row of apple trees at a nursery. The sign in front of them said $70 each. The instructor then asked, “Do you know how many apples you can buy at the grocery store for $70?”

• I would buy perennial plants and seeds that are resistant to diseases. My garden is enclosed by a tall privacyfence that does not allow for sufficient air circulation. This causes problems with powdery mildew and other diseases.

• I would not plant so close to the walkways. I thought that having plants on the edge would soften the path, but I spend a lot of time cutting plants back so that I can carry in the groceries.

• Lastly, I would add a few small native grasses for winter interest in the garden.

But what do I do now with the garden that I have? I can’t afford to tear everything out and start over.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of my garden when it is at the height of the season. A locally renowned artist in our area likes to sit in our garden and paint, but for me, it is unsustainable.

So, here is my plan:

• I am going to dig up all plants that are time consuming. That means the ones that must be staked, are susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew or are bullies.

• I will remove most of my perennials and replace them with native shrubs leaving only a few spots for easy to grow flowers to add seasonal color.

• I will dig up my blueberries and give them to a friend who has the adequate acidic soil needed.

• Then I will cut back all shrubs to a healthy, manageable height.

• Next, I will dig up and separate my healthiest, easiest to grow perennials and divide and give the extras away to neighbors and friends. This will create that extra space needed for better growth and less diseases.

• I will only plant vegetables in the kitchen garden raised beds. Here they get more air circulation and are less crowded allowing them to get more light.

• The only plant that I will keep that needs to be staked will be the few peonies that I have. How can you have a cottage garden without peonies! But I will buy peony cages that are lovely and meant for that purpose. No more bamboo stakes and string!

My goal is to be able to enjoy my cottage garden when I am walking through it, not cringe when I see the overcrowding, the powdery mildew or the plants that need to be staked.

So, if you are planning a cottage garden or your garden in controlling your life, I hope that these tips will help you.

Happy gardening!