Over Cultivation Beds at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

A Ithough based on a formal layout of straight lines, the profusion of JT-plants spilling freely over cultivation beds the cultivation beds softens the look of this garden. The design consists of a square grid of paving and a series of raised beds, with patio seats marking two diagonals and a bench placed opposite the doorway. Containers are placed at random to create an informal feel. There is also a frosted-glass window, which not only protects garden from wind but also masks the unattractive view outside.

The grass has had no lime, fertilizer, weed control measures or treatment for pests or diseases. Neither has it been watered, but because it is located in a low-lying area this is not serious. Except hi the severest droughts the soil is reasonably moist beneath. The interesting thing is that after a quarter of a century the outlines of the flower beds are clearly discernible. Within the beds the grasses are practically all. Kentucky Blue and other desirable kinds, except for odd places where sod has been kicked up by ball players or others or has been disturbed by a badly handled mowing machine, or in other ways, and crab grass has invaded. This survival of desirable grasses would not be so surprising were it not for the fact that between the beds (and the between the beds area is far more extensive than that of the beds) there is practically nothing but crab grass; it is almost a pure stand.seriously injured. The reason the turf in the beds is thick enough to repel crab grass through all these years is simple. The soil there was originally spaded and generously nourished.

Cultivation. Cultivation is an ancient vineyard practice. It destroys weeds and facilitates other vineyard operations such as irrigation. Contrary to common belief, cultivation does not conserve soil moisture; however, the resulting destruction of weeds does conserve moisture. Discs or chisel-tooth cultivators are used, although some vineyards are still plowed. Heavy disc harrows are used to turn under weeds and cover cultivation beds crops. Weeds have been and are sometimes controlled with oil sprays or chemicals, usually diuron or monuron.