Create your own yardscape from found materials

By Jano Nightingale

On a quiet corner in suburban Carlsbad I spot an odd collection of garden art, that forces me to slow down and take a closer look each time I drive past.

I finally got to meet the owner of this eclectic garden, Terri Polley, and she described her ten-year hunt to find the perfect objects for her tiny front yard garden.

“The VW door came from the first car I owned in 1966,” Polley said. “And the license plate tells a little bit about where I came from, Iowa!”

Polley gleefully guides me through the sculptural garden, and explains how the construction of wine bottles arose.

“I had a few bottles from a wine club that we belonged to, and then once it got started all the neighbors brought me theirs,” she said. “I went out an bought a drill press, and watched a You Tube video about how to use it.”

Now, the bottle construction is the entryway to her garden, and slows down traffic on her quiet street.

Create your own yardscape

A yard scape is a cross between the hardscape and found objects that appear in your garden. As many of you know hardscape is the collection of any type of mate- rial that is not a living plant, tree, flower or vegetable.

If you wander through your neighborhood chances are that someone has created their own collection of driftwood, shells, rocks, sculpture and even children’s toys!

Follow the

designer’s leads

Jamie Durie, landscape designer from HGTV, and author of “The Outdoor Room, (Jamie Durie Publi- cations) reminds us “when designing an eclectic garden mix, I shop around the neighborhood (Okay, I did a little dumpster diving) for discarded and neglected pots and plants.

What a great way to shop for planters and what goes in them!”

Jamie also suggests checking online in local Next Door or Craig’s List services that advertise free stuff.

When homeowners or apartment dwellers are moving, they often have to get rid of valuable plants and hardscape material.

North County coast a perfect canvas

Many of my gardener friends walk the local beaches for the perfect items to complete their rock and driftwood collections. One local gardener advised, “Walk the beach at low tide after a good storm, and the stash of rocks and drift- wood are at their peak. The favorite local spots are Ponto Beach in Carlsbad and the Oceanside Pier.”

After collecting ocean rock, you can build a small stone wall by inserting the rock in the soil, or place in an existing garden as a home for rock garden plants.

In search of rocks and stone

If you enjoy travelling, many local states boast their own collection of rock and stone. Arizona, Utah and Northern California and have geographical areas that boast quartz, amethyst, turquoise and even fool’s gold.

Be certain when trav-

elling in public parks that rock-hunting is permitted. Start with the basics

When starting a new yard scape or rock garden, begin with just a small rock or shell collection and a small patch of soil. Check out the National Rock Garden Society, www.nargs. org for local tours and clubs which can give you lots of ideas for rock garden plants and herbs that are suitable for your new garden.

Jano Nightingale is a horticulturist and educator and teaches vegetable gardening at the Carlsbad Senior Center. Contact her at janosgarden@hotmail.com.

Robert & Arlene Carlisle Curators of life

Robert and Arlene have an appreciation for beautiful things—like the way the light reflects off the water at sunset. They note the subtle changes from evening to evening, watching from their balcony at Carlsbad By The Sea. They have also acquired an impressive collection of both bridge and biking partners in their new home in North County.

The Carlisles are especially interested in discovering the intersections between the vibrant retirement community and greater Carlsbad. Given the gallery next door and the proximity to a multitude of restaurants, cafés and shops, they expect to make many new discoveries in the coming months. In their free time, they enjoy organizing community cookouts, helping out on the philanthropy advisory committee, and exploring the miles of coastline just outside their door.

Continue your lifelong pursuits and find new adventures at Carlsbad By The Sea, offering independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing on-site.