“What should we do with Bed 5?” I said to Loren one evening in late October. “No matter how we amend the soil or what we plant, nothing grows there except the blueberries.”

At Silver Maple Farm, our large fenced garden that fronts our property and borders the main road is divided into eight 25.5’x 80’ planting beds. Located in the southeast corner, Bed 5 sits in water most of the winter, and is a virtual bog well into the summer. While Russian mammoth sunflowers grow okay in the less than optimum conditions, cucumbers and other veggies we tried proved a dismal harvest. Two years of battling waterlogged soil sent us searching for a solution.

Loren & Kathy Prep Bed 5

In an effort to make the bed productive, in the spring of 2020 we added water-loving blueberry plants and relocated three mature bushes growing on the back of the property. After numerous attempts to remedy our soggy circumstance, when the 2021 season ended, Loren and I decided rather than struggle with failed crops, sometimes you have to work with the ground you have. We brainstormed about how to transform the area. The obvious conclusion? Search for plants that love wet feet.

Ethan Hauling Twig Dogwoods for Planting

When November rolled around, our son Ben created a stunning wreath from red twig dogwood, which we learned loves to grow on the banks of boggy areas. We soon discovered winterberry, another ornamental, and one I love to add to our own fall displays, also revels in the puddles. Inspired by Ben’s wreath and considering that some of our customers enjoy creating their own fall arrangements, we are venturing into the artful world of ornamental twigs.
In early February, grandson Ethan helped us plow the bed and prep the rows. Ethan hopped on the tractor, loaded the plants from the greenhouse into the bucket and drove them to Bed 5, where we dug holes, and added compost and fertilizer. We planted an 80’ row of winter red winterberry (the female plant) along with their pollinator Southern Gentleman. We also planted an 80’ row of twig dogwood, including red twig, yellow, mid-winter flame, and blood-orange.

Bed 5 completed with its new plantings. Doesn’t look like much now, but next fall it should be aflame with vibrant colors.

Looking ahead to next autumn, we envision growing in Bed 5 a stunning display of ornamental stems, perfect to decorate our customers’ homes for the holiday season!