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Home » Life » Upstate Adventure

Garden Reveal – Here It Is!

By: Pamela Reed
Posted:8/17/16
Updated:2/6/25

The big reveal of our vegetable garden for our Upstate Adventure!

Can I get a drum roll please?  After months of hard work, the garden is ready to be revealed in all it’s corn growing, pumpkin pollinating, tomato loving glory!

Are you ready?

OOOOOOOOH!
AAAAAAAAAH!

In our Upstate adventure, building the garden was first on the list.  Can you believe this was where we started a few months ago?

We spent cold Winter weekends and hot Summer days getting the garden dug up and the fence built.  If you missed the action when we removed the grass for the garden you can see it here.  Also, expect a full “How to make a fence that deer will never be able to get into” post soon!  This has been a labor of love!

The garden is 56×40 feet and is home to a big list of vegetables that are currently growing.   We weren’t even sure we were going to be able to grow this Summer because of how long the garden took us to dig out and build (remember we only go up there on the weekends!).

We did a soil sample in the beginning of the year and the pH wasn’t very good so we made sure to fill each bed with vegetable garden soil and peat moss.   To see all the vegetables growing and the garden looking green and bushy makes me feel really proud and happy!

The fence design was something we went back and forth with a few times.  Matthew mocked up a 3D design of what we thought was best and we used that to build.  The 2 pieces of wood at the top of the fence prevent deer from jumping in, while the fence down bottom (including below the fence) helps keep out the small critters.  During this Summer we haven’t had one vegetable eaten by critters so the fence is doing it’s job!  

Here’s a closeup of the bottom fence.  There’s no gaps for rabbits to run through, under the bottom piece of wood there’s more fencing that goes under and out with the rocks sitting on top of it.

The ground is really rocky (hello, it’s the Catskill Mountains!) so the rocks you see around the fence are actually the rocks that we picked out when digging the garden.   I like to think of myself as a rock picking expert now.  Surrounding the garden on all sides are rose bushes and Rhododendrons.  They’re babies now, but come back in a few years and see how much they’ve grown!

We needed the entrance to be big enough for us to get equipment and carts in and out so it’s 10 feet wide.  We attached 1 6 foot gate and 1 4 foot gate together to make the final entrance gate.

Inside the garden sits a small shed that we keep our garden tools in.

We attached gutters to the shed (DIY post here) to catch rain water that flows into our rain barrels.

We chose big paver stones to create the walkway into the garden.  Eventually we’ll put down mulch and other large rocks for walkways in between the garden beds.

A few of the rocks we dug out of the garden were giant so we added them to the walkway too.   This makes it more personalized and holds memories.

In fact I even have a picture of when Matthew was struggling to dig this rock up months ago.

Outside of the garden we set up a patio area where we eat our lunch, admire the view and stay out of the sun with the help of a large umbrella (this does awesome in the wind by the way).
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

It’s quite a view we get to admire too!
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

I am in love with our table! I really wanted a modern picnic table aesthetic so I was happy to find this set at Lowe’s!
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

Aren’t I lucky to have wildflowers growing all over the land to make my own bouquets?
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

I haven’t spoke about the color of the fence yet!  As you might have guessed we wanted a bright color!  We went back and forth on a few shades wanting something to contrast with the green trees and grass that surround it so we went with the color “Berries Galore” (paint # 4001-10B).  The paint we used is Valspar Duramax Exterior paint that is a primer + paint in one.   I asked the Lowe’s paint department guy for help and he strongly recommended that we use this.   I was a bit unsure if it would be a true primer + paint in one but it really is! The garden only needed one coat to get that rich vibrant purple color to it!
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

I love how it pops against the sky and the trees!
Back here you might be able to see our berry patch too – filled with blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries!  The plants are only a few months old, so again… check back in a few years to see their growth! 🙂
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

Inside the garden the vegetables are growing and enjoying their Summer in their protected home.
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

The corn is finally taller than me!
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

Lastly, a special shoutout to all the garden friends that hang out in the garden and protect it when we’re not there.  We have Mr. Scarecrow, Froggy Girl, Gnome and Mister Turtle.
Brooklyn Farm Girl's Colorful Vegetable Garden in Upstate New York.

I hope you guys enjoyed the garden reveal!  This is Step 1 in many in our Upstate Adventure!  Thanks to everyone who’s been excited to see the garden and special thanks to our friends and family that put in hard work Upstate with us to get this built and planted!

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  1. Mick says

    February 13, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    I am seriously in love with that view. Apart from the inevitable flies that would accompany it a meal on that table with that view (and perhaps a glass of Rose wine) would be my idea of heaven. It looks like you put Matthew through his paces building that patio. This is truly inspiring.

    Reply
  2. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    September 5, 2016 at 11:34 am

    The two of you did a great job of building this garden, it looks terrific. Eat you heart out, Martha…I bet she never thought of painting one of her garden enclosures such a wonderful color. 😀

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    August 23, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    Your garden is absolutely stunning!! So happy for you guys – all the hard work paid off! I love the color of your fence!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 23, 2016 at 5:52 pm

      Thanks Kelly!

      Reply
  4. Sharon Harris says

    August 22, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    Be sure you protect your berries — browsing deer love to nip the shrubs and love to eat the berries — my friend, Lee, a suburban Philadelphia gardener coexisting with a herd of deer has to fight for her blackberries each year!

    Reply
  5. Jeremy Watkin says

    August 22, 2016 at 12:05 am

    This is really stunning. Thanks for sharing. I feel encouraged to take my garden to a new level!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 22, 2016 at 9:36 am

      Thanks Jeremy!

      Reply
  6. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

    August 21, 2016 at 10:07 am

    Beautiful! All your hard work is paying off. I love the color of your fence! 🙂

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 21, 2016 at 2:46 pm

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply
  7. Fran says

    August 18, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    I can see a lot of hard work went into this garden and there are wonderful rewards. Maybe I missed something, but I am wondering if you fertilize, since the soil was not the greatest, requiring amendments to start as you said, and if you fertilize, what do you use?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 20, 2016 at 6:46 pm

      Hi Fran, thanks! The soil we used has fertilizer added in. This was the soil we used: http://www.lowes.com/pd/Sta-Green-2-cu-ft-Flower-and-Vegetable-Garden-Soil/3353740. It’s been amazing with adding life into the garden!

      Reply
  8. Megan - The Emotional Baker says

    August 18, 2016 at 5:55 am

    What a stunning garden! I love the patio area 🙂 Your hard work has really paid off! Wishing you a bountiful season year after year 😉

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 18, 2016 at 4:30 pm

      Thank you so much Megan!

      Reply
  9. Norma Chang says

    August 17, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Amazing accomplishment in such a short time, congratulations! Love your fence, my favorite color.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks Norma! Glad you like the color too!

      Reply
  10. Jamie | The Kitchenarium says

    August 17, 2016 at 11:05 am

    LOVE this! You truly have a dream garden up there. <3

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks Jamie! <3 <3

      Reply
  11. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:59 am

    Wow Pamela, Y’all did such a fantastic job! Y’all should be so super proud of yourselves! BRILLIANT!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      Aww, thanks Shashi!

      Reply
  12. cheri says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Your garden is beautiful Pamela, you can tell a lot of hard work and love has gone into it. Well done!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks Cheri! It’s been a fun adventure!

      Reply
  13. Lynn says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Everything looks great. Congratulations on the excellent results from your hard work. Doesn’t the entry gate let little critters in?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      Thanks Lynn! Thankfully no critters come in from under the gate either. The picture makes the gap seem bigger than what it really is, but so far, so good. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Debbie says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:29 am

    LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great job, truly amazing!!!!! I wanted to plant corn but I was told it would draw the bears into the garden – sigh…..oh well!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      Thanks Debbie! Hope you’re able to satisfy your corn craving with a trip to the farmers market!

      Reply
  15. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Oooooh! Aaaaaaah! You guys have done an amazing amount of work — and just on weekends! — in one year. The garden looks great. Love the color of the fence. Super pictures, fun read — thanks!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks John! It’s fun to look back on the “before” pictures!

      Reply
  16. Mrs Oneil Gardens says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:24 am

    This looks fantastic, I too love the color! I can’t wait for your post on how to build a fence. We need some help keeping critters out of ours!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      Thank you! Post will be coming soon! Sign up for the newsletter if you want to stay updated! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Carol says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Wow! This looks beautiful! That color is spectacular too!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks Carol! We’re super happy with the color!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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