BEFORE, my busy little herb garden… no more!
My somewhat f o r m a l herb garden (located off my farm workshop) is was intricate and very ‘busy’. The footpath/aisle was really too narrow for a wheel barrow. The raised beds consisted of six main ‘gardens’ with a smaller ‘diamond’ focal point in the center. I also had raised beds around the entire perimeter/fence line. It was jamb-packed!! Over time, it became the proverbial 10-pounds in a 5-pound sack! TOO much going on!!!
Isn’t is funny how our ‘tastes’ change over time? Whether in home decor, lifestyle, hobbies, etc? Perhaps attributable to age and experience… mostly AGE??? The little voice whispering… be kinder and gentler to yourself. The realization and hopefully acceptance of the fact that YOU can’t do it all as much as you used to?!? Priorities shift… and life changes along the way.
To that end, we ‘re-worked’ my herb garden. The raised beds needed a little help, definitely showing their age and effects of winter freeze, heave and thaw!
AFTER, my herb garden. Key feature: S I M P L I F Y !!!
We worked within the existing footprint of the garden and re-used ALL of the salvageable lumber! Only two new additional boards and additional oyster shell (for the path) had to be purchased for this make-over! YAY!
It was a matter of staging: transplanting herbs, tearing down the old and replacing with the new. One garden box/bed at a time! Oh my, the number of herbs I tossed into the chicken’s scratching pen!! 
I kept ~ ONLY ~ one small existing garden bed as is, near the front gate entry. I also opted for THREE raised beds centered in the existing space (if you don’t count the well head/water feature). However, I did re-construct taller garden boxes, two boards high (instead of one).
Another view of my ‘new’ herb garden.
My water feature, just for fun. I knew that old wagon wheel rim would come in handy! heehee
It feels good. De-cluttered and simplified… an acknowledgement/acceptance of a lifestyle change. Thanks to my dear husband :: who without his enduring love [and tolerance] :: nothing would be possible!
Happy gardening!
Sheepy Hollow Farm 
Wow, your garden looks amazing. I also love the concrete rabbit who stands watch over all the goodies.
Lovely post and everything is a pleasure to browse.
Thanks for visiting! The herb garden is quite simple to maintain, although I can’t believe all the weed seeds we stirred-up in the pathway!!! Ugh! We have a ‘fabric’ barrier and recycled oyster shell. That stuff is a get seed-starter medium! hahaha!!!
Liked your last comment- decluttered and simplified, acknowledgement of a simpler life. I’m there with that one. We must be about the same age where that has been a biggey in my life as well. Can’t do as much as I use to, takes me twice as long and don’t want or need as much anymore. Beginning to acknowledge those thoughts and my body appreciates it as well as my mind because I don’t need to punish myself for not ‘doing it all’ like I used to. Whew. A load lifter! Thanks for a great Monday morn post…..oh and the new garden looks terrific as well. But it was the MSG behind it all I heard.
Thanks! I’ll be 59 in November. I think I’m a very hard worker, but, I have slowed-down! I ‘SEE’ things differently and I am getting better at forgiving myself for not able (tho willing) to do as much as I used to. I’m still trying to focus on a little ‘me’ time too! That hasn’t worked at all… yet! ;D
You have done such a fab job to made your site so readable, organized and informative, it’s my go to place whether I’m dying my wool or working outside gardening. Your ideas come from you being in your ‘me’ time it feels like. When I’m able to sit and actually think about the things I want to think about, in my life right at this moment in time it’s ‘me’ time. I’m pretty stretched with others, job, etc stealing my thoughts. 10 min to me is heaven and makes me feel a little selfish sometimes. I’m 60 and my life is changing- yikes! Thank goodness for wool and dirt to stick my hands in. Both ground me.