{"id":34413,"date":"2021-10-09T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-09T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbarafalconernewhall.com\/?p=34413"},"modified":"2026-06-06T12:06:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T12:06:23","slug":"planting-a-secret-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/server.stagingweb3.net\/barbarafalconernewhall\/planting-a-secret-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Widowed: I’m Planting a Secret Garden Outside My Office"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"planting-a-secret-garden-space\"<\/a>
This secluded spot outside my writing room is waiting to become a secret garden, out of sight of neighbors’ eyes and passersby walking on the street above. Photos by Barbara Newhall<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There’s a secluded space right outside my writing room, a cozy, sheltered bit of outdoors that no one can see but me — and I can see it only when I’m sitting at my desk, at work in my writing room. It’s the perfect spot for planting a secret garden. A place to be alone, by myself. Just me, the hawks and the Steller’s Jays.<\/p>\n

The months-long hardscaping project<\/a> in our side yard and back yard is done. The new stairs alongside our house are in. So is the little deck outside my office. Also the handrails that let me dash safely up and down the stairs. And the gates and fences in the side yard to keep out the deer.<\/p>\n

And now it’s time to put in some plants.<\/p>\n

I already\u00a0 know what I want to do with the backyard down below. It needs to be fire resistant, drought resistant, deer resistant and low maintenance. I’ll plant mostly California natives down there — tough stuff that can go months without water: manzanita, ceanothus, salvia. It will be a wildish place.<\/p>\n

\"planting-a-secret-garden-planting-bed\"<\/a>
My secret garden will be tucked away in our side yard, at the bottom of the stairs, between house and fence. These retaining walls make for fun, informal benches. I wonder, can I persuade something viney to grow up from behind the wall at the far right?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In planting a secret garden outside my writing room, on the other hand, the idea will be to create a cozy place. Domesticated. Friendly. A secluded spot that invites me to get up from my desk and keyboard once in a while. A place with living things to keep me company.<\/p>\n

Some widows acquire dogs for company. Some go in for cats. I find myself going to great lengths to attend to the condolence flowers<\/a> and plants that people have sent my way. And on my evening walks I notice I keep stopping to photograph people’s gardens.<\/p>\n

So, I’m a plant person, it turns out. Who knew?<\/p>\n

And now . . . what shall I grow in this mysterious secret garden outside my office?<\/p>\n