Today I spent hours edging and weeding new woodland gardens on our landscape. I found some Arisema 'Jack in the Pulpit' that I transplanted and planted some seeds given to me from a friend.
Thus I shall look forward to Spring 2011 to see rewards of my efforts.
I found about a 10ft log in field that has character to accent the new bed. Took some of our aged compost to create a perfect home for new woodland plants to spread.

The walnuts have been put aside for the critters to enjoy!!

Our area has been dry so I watered many of our beds today with long soakings as they prepare for winter and into their dormant stage.

Fall is time for both reflection and planning, and thus enjoy the memories of blooms 2010 while you look forward to Spring of 2011.

I completed a installation last week that was very satisfying to my creative spirit. I designed a two tier retaining wall with steps that allowed homeowners a whole new perspective from their woods to their house. A path that strolled over a small wooden bridge through the wooded area to walk up steps and meander through new gardens. The look of joy on homeowners faces was part of compensation for my hard work.

My body had a considerable physical work-out as I moved 17 ton of rock to create wall on steep slope. I mixed texture and color to create a soothing picture on landscape.

May you also create some beauty on Mother nature's landscape!!

Yesterday I spent the afternoon and evening walking around the Nygren Wetland Preserve. I beauty of native wildflowers was enjoyed, and the transition of early summer blooms to late summer blooms was evident. Thus I had new color to behold just from the 2 weeks prior.

The wild life from muskrats, hawks, frogs, herons, and so much more thrive on having such a natural habitat. I appreciate the fact that there are such places where mankind has put forth the effort to restore and preserve.

May you find Nature's beauty a awesome beauty to hold dear and treasure!!

Seems with all the summer color on our landscape we have attracted many people to stroll our gardens. It gives me pleasure that others can enjoy what I have created. There is a sign in log book for visitors which now has signatures from people around the world, and ages from 7 to over 70.

Landscaping seems to bring pleasure to people around the world and of all ages. Nature's beauty can really connect humanity in many ways!!

This morning with my coffee in hand I strolled the gardens to enjoy Spring blooms. Oh, how uplifting to my spirit to see mertensia 'virginia blue bells, trout lily, bloodroot, trillium, and so much more. Ahhh Spring can so revitalize the landscape.

I applied for position of Horticulturist/head gardener at Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I was in consideration for months, but just heard position filled by another.
Thus I will continue to design and create beauty here in Illinois/Wisconsin.

Looking forward to watching our gardens continue to come alive thru the seasons

one of my chores for today has been to attack and remove the garlic mustard that has chosen to make a home in many of the garden beds. i do not want them to go to seed for season 2010.

I cleaned up the prairie garden and pleased to see the new growth 'seedlings'.

As I work in our many gardens I am feeling the rejuvenation of Spring and it's amazing awakening!!

I gave a lecture/workshop this past Thursday Feb. 25th to the Deerpath garden club in Lake Forest, Illinois. There were thirty-eight women in attendance who were a joy, for they also share a passion for gardening. I spoke on building natural trellis and arbors along with vines that could accent the structures.

At the end of talk I built a trellis on site from walnut that I had pre-cut for the workshop. Which was given away to lucky winner of drawing.

Today as I walked the nature trail we created around our landscape I became aware of all the damage to the trees and shrubs. The weight of ice and snow has snapped or cracked many branches. A lot of pruning in the Spring will be necessary on hydrangeas and viburnums to repair damage. Then a year of new growth will get them back into shape.

Also today as I walked our trail which is approximately one-third of a mile each lap I was in awe of how many different animals had left tracks in the snow. I saw deer, raccoon, coyote, rabbit, mice, squirrel, and then our cat's prints.

Nature has many wonders to offer in each and every season.

A Good Life

Yesterday as I was walking the exercise path I created through and around our landscape I took a break to count the rings on a walnut tree just taken down. The tree was right on the fence line of our property and the farm behind us, and since it was rotten about one-third thru it was necessary to take down for safety.
The rings tell so much of the trees life. Their width tells a good year for growth and marks can tell a year that it substained damage. This tree had a life of 137 years, and I so wished it could speak to me about those years past.

Over the past few weeks I have been putting many of our flower beds and island to rest for the winter. The mulched leaves are providing a perfect blanket for the shrubs and flowers. Added benefit is that as they decompose they will provide nutrients in the spring.

The winter brings a whole new look to our landscape, and I have enhanced the arbors and paths with approx. 1,200ft of xmas lights. So as dusk comes our landscape becomes a lighted winter wonderland creating a magical feeling as one strolls about in peaceful wonder.

Our next project will be to install a aerator in the pond so that the Koi will have a sufficient about of oxygen thru the winter as they hibernate.

May your landscape provide you some winter wonder.. for each season has a beauty of it's own!