FREE Apr 2012
SPOKANE • POST FALLS • COEUR D’ALENE • HAYDEN LAKE • SANDPOINT
VoL. 1, ISSUE 1
LANDSCAPING THE INLAND NORTHWEST
Landscaping an Island - Page 14
DESIGNER’S CORNER - PAGE 16
SHE DELIVERS - PAGE 18
THE REAL DIRT - PAGE 24
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April 2012
Issue Guide APRIL 2012
2 Letter from The Zealot 3 The Zealot’s Shovel Interesting Information from the Inland Northwest 6 raised Beds By Susan Mulvihill 8 Bless Mom’s Iris! By Betty Keller 10 Ask the Zealot Your landscaping questions answered by The Zealot himself 11 relocating Trees and Shrubs The Garden Zealot Do-It-Yourself guide 12 off the Beaten Path By Alan Tower 14 Sink or (Land)Scape! By C.J. James 16 A New Kind of Landscape By Barb Safranek 18 She Delivers By Nate Lynch 21 Top 10 Signs you Might Love Gardening Too Much 21 your Play Solve the puzzle 21 Pet of the Month Spokane Humane Society 22 The Beauty of Boredom By Nate Lynch 24 The real Dirt By Kristy Wittkopf 26 My Pet Story By Robin Larson 26 Zealot Book review Japanese Stone Gardens 27 Witchhazels By Patti Jester, The Gardener 27 Events Calendar 28 your Patio: Paved or Stamped By C.J. James
Letter from The Zealot Welcome to The Garden Zealot! We hope you enjoy this introduction to our new publication, which features landscaping and garden-related stories from Spokane, Post Falls, Coeur d’ Alene, Hayden Lake, Sandpoint, and beyond. Our mission is to illuminate the exceptional landscaping stories that take place in our community everyday. In addition to professional contractor submissions, you’ll find articles from local nurseries, suppliers, and designers who will regularly provide practical and timely suggestions for projects in your own yard. We hope that by using our publication as an outlet to thousands of local readers, we can provide a voice to those in our industry who strive to achieve the extraordinary. The Garden Zealot seeks submissions from the seasoned professional to the dedicated amateur. We look forward to receiving stories about your most fascinating and demanding landscaping battles. Submissions and questions can be sent to thegardenzealot@gmail.com. If you know of an event you’d like us to list in our Upcoming Events section, let us know. You’ll see it listed in our next issue. And don’t forget to Ask The Zealot. We’d love to tackle your most difficult questions.
30 An outstanding Garden for the home Show By Barb Safranek
Thanks again! We hope you enjoy reading The Garden Zealot!
32 The Perfect Gardener
Nate Lynch, The Garden Zealot
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April 2012
The
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Shovel Where we unearth interesting information from around the Inland Northwest. Because, as Mr. Spock said in ‘Space Seed’ (1967), “Insufficient facts always invite danger.” Can’t argue with that! • Horizon Distributors (1.208.762.3399), an irrigation supplier in Hayden, Idaho, moves a lot of irrigation pipe. How much? “We sold about 950 coils of 1” mainline last year, which equals 286,000 feet,” says Nick Newman, the store manager. “This year we’ll probably move closer to 320,000 feet.” That’s over 60 miles! Better make sure that trenching shovel is greased up! • Green Thumb Nursery (509.927.0990) in the Spokane Valley is well known for their beautiful hanging baskets. “I would say we’ll sell 700 or more this season,” says employee Sheryl Becker. Don’t bump your head… • What is the #1 selling one- gallon plant at Gibson’s Nursery (509.928.0973)? “It’s a perennial,” says Bruce Davenport, resident kung-fu master and plant expert. “Our best selling plant in that size is the Stella d’Oro daylily. I expect to move somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 this summer.” Yowza! • Rock Placing Company (509.926.3302) has built boulder walls all over Spokane and the Inland Northwest. How many tons of stone are they expecting to install in 2012? Somewhere “around 28,000”, says supervisor and wall guru Ryan Yeoman. That’s 56 million pounds of rock! • Wittkopf Landscape Supply (509.467.0685) delivers a lot of material in their royal blue dump trucks. How much did Spokane and North Idaho builders and homeowners need last year? “We trucked about 437,907 yards of bulk landscape supplies in 2011,” says owner Kristy Wittkopf. That 5 yards of gravel I had to wheelbarrow to the backyard doesn’t seem so bad now! • We asked Dianna Decker, owner of Northland Nursery (208.773.3247) in Post Falls what their top 5, one gallon plants are. “Stella d’Oro is probably number one. After that, kinnikinnick is a tight number two. Burning bush, spirea, and Karl Forester grass round out the top five.”
That makes me wonder – has the word ‘kinnikinnick’ ever been posed in the National Spelling Bee? I’d say it’s difficulty rivals crysanthimum… krisanthemom… crasithinum… mums. • How many pallets of flagstone would it take to cover a baseball infield? “That’s easy,” says John Harris, owner of Sunrise Inc (509.926.3854) in Otis Orchards. “An infield is 8,100 square feet. You would need 41 pallets to do the job.” It wouldn’t need watering, but how would it be fielding ground balls? “No comment,” says John. • Answer: One million tons. Question: How much material did Sandpoint-based Peak Sand & Gravel (208.255.2611) produce and sell during the 2011 construction season? That’s right, one million tons. That’s, like, two billion pounds! To say Matt Peak, one of the owners, has been busy might be a bit of an understatement. Rumor is he’s going to drop one of the ‘t’s from his name so he can save a little time signing paperwork. • What would be a good number of irrigation controllers to move in a month? Scott Young of Auto Rain’s Valley location (509.928.5403) sold 208 Irritrol Climate Logic clocks in June 2011 alone! “The water conservation project the city did last year – Slow The Flow – really got people thinking about smart ways to keep their yard green and save water at the same time,” he told me over the phone. But John, aren’t you worried that those smart controllers will rise up and institute an evil plan to take over the world? John? Hello? Hello? • Have you ever tried to move a basalt bubbler by yourself? Those things are heavy! Well, how about this: Tumble Stone (208.762.3206) in Hayden stocks 300 fountains at all times. Says CEO Zack Marjamaa, “That’s 600,000 pounds of bubblers alone.” How many decibels of soothing sound does 300 tons of water feature produce? I don’t know – I was lulled to sleep as I did the calculations…
• I wonder what the top selling tree at Greenacres Nursery (509.928.1922) is? “I would say our number 1 tree is the Thundercloud Flowering Plum,” says Marita Ward. “It’s fast growing with lots of color throughout the season, plus it’s inexpensive and stays a manageable size. We’ll probably sell over 300 this year.” That should keep Little Jack Horner busy. • How many yards of fabric would you consider to be ‘a lot’? Dave Jacobs of Jacobs’ Upholstery (509.926.4230) used 5,785 yards for indoor furniture alone last year. “The average chair takes 5 yards,” says Dave. Here’s another interesting number: last year, Jacobs sold 688 sets of patio furniture. Now that’s a pool party. Cannonball!!! • Are potatoes part of your garden this year? Well, however many you’re putting in, you’ve got nothing on Northwest Seed & Pet (509.534.0694). “We’ve ordered 50,000 pounds for the spring planting season,” says owner Bob Mauk. That should supply a few Thanksgiving dinners this fall… • North Idaho Post & Pole (208.772.3942) produces a vast amount of fence posts. “We move about 250 semi-truck loads a year,” says Chris Pokorny, manager. How many posts is that? “Well, that depends on the length and size of the posts, but it averages out to about 1,500 a truck.” OK, 1,500 times 250… carry the two… decimal point goes here… square root of 7… divided by 3… that’s 375,000 posts! • What is the number one piece of equipment A to Z (509.924.2000) rents this time of year? “Forget the rentals,” says manager Trevor Kettrick. “People come in for our amazing free popcorn! I’ve already eaten 4 bags myself this morning, and it’s only 7:30.” How does Trevor keep such a trim figure? Amazing…
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April 2012
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A Recipe for the Spring Garden We went with rhubarb – There’s always plenty, and it’s a spring lover! Darlene Brown of the Spokane Valley submitted this recipe. It’s one of her longtime favorites:
Rhubarb Custard Pie (For 9” Pie) • Beat 3 eggs and add 3 TBSP milk • Mix and stir in.... • 2 cups sugar • 1/4 cup flour • 3/4 tsp nutmeg
Mix in..... • 4 cups cut rhubarb • Pour into pastry-lined pan • Dot with 1 TBSP butter • Cover with lattice top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes until nicely browned @ 400 degrees. Serve slightly warm. BE SUrE To SET PIE oN A PIECE oF FoIL To CATCh ThE DrIPPINGS BECAUSE IT DoES hAVE A TENDENCy To rUN oVEr! The recipe was originally found in: Betty Crocker Second Edition. Published by McGrawHill Book Company New York, Toronto, London.
Recipe of the Month
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April 2012
Raised beds
Elevating the vegetable garden to a thing of beauty By Susan Mulvihill Guest Contributor
Way back in 1981, Better Homes & Gardens magazine ran an article on raised-bed gardening. The garden they featured belonged to Peter Chan, an agricultural scientist and plant pathologist who was living near Portland at the time. And boy, did he know how to grow a productive, beautiful garden. By the time I finished reading the article, I knew I wanted a garden just like his. I bought a copy of his book, “Better Vegetable Gardens The Chinese Way” (Garden Way Publishing, 96 pages) and quickly learned all about the joys of raisedbed gardening. I now have 23 raised beds in my own veggie garden and don’t intend to switch back to the more conventional way of growing vegetables. The reasons are numerous, but here are some of the most important ones: The soil in the beds warms up earlier in the spring. Since the beds are elevated, the sun has more surface area to hit with its warm rays. The soil stays loose. This is particularly ideal for growing root crops like carrots, parsnips and potatoes, because you walk around the beds, rather than on the soil surrounding the plants. One of the top reasons plants fail to thrive is root compaction, whether from foot traffic or running tools like rototillers nearby. Raised beds eliminate this problem. Weeding is a breeze. I don’t know about you, but weeding is not exactly my favorite gardening activity. Because I have covered the pathways in between the beds with landscape fabric and a few inches of shredded bark, the only weeding I have to do is on the top of each bed. Raised-bed gardens are aesthetically pleasing. I think there is
A large garden using raised planters
nothing prettier than a well-tended vegetable garden. Raised beds bring order to the garden because they are neat and tidy. And the ideal growing conditions they offer plants create a very lush, productive garden. Bed sizes and materials Peter Chan did not frame his raised beds with lumber. Instead, he used hand tools to loosen the soil so he could build up mounds to plant in. I started with this method but found it was back-breaking work. Also, the soil tended to erode throughout the garden season so the beds had to be re-made each year. After a few years of trying the soil-mounding method, I switched to framed raised beds. Mine are framed with 2-by-10 lumber. Most of the beds are 3 feet wide, 8 feet long and about a foot tall. While you can
make your beds just about any size or shape you want—they can even be laid out in intricate patterns—it’s important to avoid making them wider than you can reach across. If the beds are too wide, you will have to sit, kneel, or stand in them to reach all of the plants. This will compact the soil. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend building them any wider than 4 feet. When it comes to choosing materials for the beds, only use untreated wood. There are building materials treated with preservatives that last longer, but research has shown these chemicals can leach into the soil. And, unfortunately, research has also shown that vegetable roots will absorb those chemicals. That’s not why I’m growing my own vegetables, and I’d venture to guess you’re trying to get away from chemicals, too.
Avoid using pressure-treated lumber and railroad ties—which are soaked in creosote—because they’re just not safe. While cedar and redwood lumber is more expensive than regular lumber, it weathers better and lasts longer. My beds are made from fir and larch and last about 10 to 12 years. Some gardeners use other materials like concrete blocks, recycled plastic lumber or hay bales to frame the beds. Susan Mulvihill is a Master Gardener and a Garden Columnist for The Spokesman-Review. Her columns appear every Sunday during the growing season. She is also the author of the blog “Susan’s In the Garden,” which can be found at susansinthegarden.blogspot.com. She can be reached via e-mail at inthegarden@live.com.
April 2012
Assembling a raised bed 1) You will need two 12-footlong 2 by 10s, 20 3-inch decking screws, an electric or cordless drill, a circular or radial-arm saw, a level and a tape measure.
Here are the steps required to make a raised bed. Let’s use a 3-foot by 8-foot bed as the example:
Pre-drill the holes at the marks.
2) With the saw, cut each 12-foot-long board into a 3-foot length and an 8-foot length.
4) Prepare a level site for your raised bed.
3) Take the two 3-foot-long boards and mark where the screw holes will be pre-drilled to make the assembly easier (see photo). Using a pencil, mark your holes 1 inch from each short edge of the board at 1 inch, 3 inches, 4 3/4 inches, 6 1/2 inches and 8 1/2 inches.
5) Assemble the bed by standing up the 8-foot-long boards lengthwise, about 3 feet apart. Place a 3-foot-long board at the end of the two 8-foot-long boards and line up the edges. Using a drill with a Phillipshead screw bit, fasten the short boards onto the ends of the long boards using the 3-inchlong decking screws.
lengthwise and width-wise to make sure it is level. 7) Fill the bed with garden soil and compost, composted manure and/or organic amendments up to about 2 inches from the top of the bed. If you use a 3-way soil mix, be sure to add plenty of organic amendments as the mix will be pretty sterile. Good soil takes a while to develop so give it as much help as possible. Susan shows off a days worth of tomatoes from last fall.
6) Set the bed in place. Using a level, check the bed both
PREMIUM GARDEN SOIL
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On April 28, the WSU Spokane County Master Gardeners will host their annual Open House from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at the Cooperative Extension building, located at 222 N. Havana St., just south of the fairgrounds. There will be informational booths on all types of gardening, raffles, and a plant and yard sale. I will be at the raised-bed gardening booth so be sure to come out and say hello. You’ll have the opportunity to take a look at the demonstration beds and learn more about this rewarding method of vegetable gardening.
NORTH SIDE 8721 N Fairview Rd 467-0685 VALLEY 19215 E Broadway 893-3521 NORTH IDAHO Ponderay Garden Center 208-255-4200
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April 2012
Bless Mom’s Iris! In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, people living in the Spokane Valley had vegetable gardens, berry patches, and orchards that helped reduce their grocery bills. Back then, growing fruits and vegetables was a necessity—but growing flowers was a passion! By Betty Keller
Guest Contributor
In the 1950’s, when I was in my early teens, my mother introduced me to her passion: the tall, bearded iris. As a victim of severe rheumatoid arthritis she became increasingly unable to tend her iris garden as each year passed. Her hands were crippled, her hips twisted, knees and back bent, and her ankles were continuously swollen. Through all this, she couldn’t be deterred from the required work involved to grow her irises. She grew the classics: the tried and true yellows, purples, blues, and whites now known as ‘historical iris.’ The iris is one of spring’s first blooms, and in her day they could be seen in foil wrapped fruit jars and old coffee cans adorning headstones in cemeteries throughout the Spokane area on “Decoration Day.” It was a warm July morning when my mom asked me to help move her old iris bed from under a big maple tree in our back yard to a sunny new bed along our front driveway. Little did I know how much work was involved in growing and tending each of her irises. My mother taught me how to dig, separate, clean, trim, label, and finally replant her iris garden. It’s strange how hard work can create some of your favorite memories when it’s done alongside your mom.
Mom in our garden. Just like her iris, she was a classic!
Fifty years later I’m growing irises in my own garden. I live near the Spokane River in Post Falls—just a stone’s throw away from my mom and dad’s old place in Greenacres. Even without the river as proof, there’s little doubt that my garden is built on an old riverbed. I have the rocks to prove it!
as gardeners go I’ve put on my fair share of miles. I’m thrilled to be able to relate a few things I’ve learned about growing tall, bearded iris along the rocky Spokane River. For starters, I made two good early decisions: 1) I found a knowledgeable landscape professional to help me with the landscape design and sprinkler installation, and 2) I joined the Town and Country Iris Society. Members of this group share my passion for irises and possess a wealth of knowledge on the subject as you might expect. It’s a group of devotees who know good, down to earth common sense gardening.
I’m an amateur gardener—but
As I mentioned earlier, my gar-
den started out as an old riverbed. It seemed logical to bring in heavy, dark, organically-rich dirt to my yard as a way of amending the existing soil. Bringing in those trucks of dirt proved a good decision for my vegetable garden and annual flower beds, but wasn’t the best for my tall bearded irises. The soil proved too rich, and didn’t allow the necessary drainage for my irises to thrive. With the assistance of my landscaper, we redesigned the sprinkler system to put less water into the beds, and some of my iris club members helped me re-amend the soil with a mixture of sand, alfalfa pellets, and Perlite. I’ll offer you a garden “pearl” that I learned: make sure the alfalfa
pellets you buy are free of all seeds and grains. Spending the summer weeding the germinating seed from the garden beds is no fun (never be shy to return a product that doesn’t meet your standards!). Once I found a quality alfalfa pellet, I mixed the pellets, sand, and Perlite in my wheelbarrow and then tilled its contents into each of my gardens. A lot of work, but well worth the effort. I’ve experienced two fairly common problems with my iris: bacterial soft rot (erwinia cartovora) and fungal leaf spot (didymelina macrospora). Once again my iris club members came to the rescue. They suggested treating the rot by digging
April 2012 the evil-smelling mess out of the rhizome, then dusting the area with a common household bleach cleanser such as Comet. It takes a little patience, but it’s cost effective and does the job. The leaf spot is spread by spores, so I suggest keeping the iris beds free of old leaves and weeds. If spotting continues, spray the rhizome with two different fungicides. This will prevent the fungus from becoming resistant to its use. Of course, be sure to read all directions before using any chemical. Now for the real nuts and bolts of iris gardening… Digging, separating, cleaning, trimming, labeling and replanting iris involves some real work. If you live in the Spokane area, the only time to do any of these tasks is July and August. Carefully dig around the clump of irises and lift the rhizomes out of the soil. Don’t worry if some break—there will be plenty to replant and share with friends. Established iris will reproduce approximately 3-15 new rhizomes each year. What a great bonus for a gardener on a budget! In our club we trade rhizomes like they’re baseball cards. In the summer our group organizes an iris sale for the general public. We sell the rhizomes as a fundraiser for the club. When I order a new iris from a magazine, I might pay $5-$60 for a new iris. Our club sells separated rhizomes for $2 - $8 depending on the rarity or availability of a particular iris. If planting for yourself, choose four or five of the healthiest rhizomes and trim the leaves back to about 8 inches. Wash the rhizomes
Don’t be afraid to experiment
with a light hose sprayer and set the group aside before going to the next clump. This will help you keep the names and colors organized, and allow them to dry. In the case of transplanting irises, allowing the rhizome to dry is a must. Trim the roots by grasping them just below the rhizome with one hand, and then cut off the roots that hang below your hand. Sharp garden scissors work best for me. Once the rhizomes have had time to dry off, it’s time to label them with their names and colors. I use a marker called “paint” for this job. Now the fun part! It’s suggested that planting three to five of the same iris rhizomes together makes for the best spring color show in your garden. Plant each rhizome in a shallow hole large enough to accommodate the roots and rhizome, then cover them with about ½” of soil. Half of one inch, no more. Space them 10-15 inches apart. You won’t need to separate these again for three to four years. Once the work is finished, it’s time to relax and anticipate spring in your tall bearded iris garden. One of the greatest pleasures for an iris enthusiast is sharing the garden with family, friends, and neighbors. My greatest joy is remembering my mom and her passion for tall bearded iris, and knowing that it’s now me who’s sharing her passion with her grandson (my nephew). I’ll leave you with a poem by Edith Buckner Edwards that was published in the AIS Bulletin in January 1961:
A wide variety of purple and gold
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Iris, Most Beautiful Flower Iris, most beautiful flower, Symbol of life, love, and light Found by the brook, and the meadow, Or lofty, on arable height. You come in such glorious colors, In hues, the rainbow surpass; The chart of color portrays you, In petal, or veins, of your class. You bloom with the first in winter, With the last, in the fall, you still show; You steal the full beauty of springtime, With your fragrance and sharp color glow. Your form and beauty of flower, An artist’s desire of full worth; So Iris, we love you and crown you, MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ON EARTH! Betty Keller is a member of the Town and Country Iris Society. The Town and Country Iris Society meets on the first Friday of most months, and can be reached at (509) 671-1539 (Robert Karr). Email Robert at iris@sprucecorner. com. They will be holding their annual iris show at the Spokane Valley Mall on June 9th, and their iris sale on July 28th—also at the Valley Mall.
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April 2012
Ask The
Q: Four years ago my father and I built a paver patio on the back of my house. It sits above a small wall we built the year before. We thought we did everything by the book, but each spring the patio seems to settle, and I need to re-do the edge of the pavers closest to the wall. Any suggestions? A: Because you mentioned the patio was built “by the book,” let’s assume the patio was properly constructed. This being so, I have two theories: 1. The backfill behind your wall wasn’t properly compacted when it was built—or the wall was backfilled with organic material or clay. If this is the case, you should consider this yearly problem a new family tradition. Organic material and disturbed clay can take years and years to settle. Solution: take a section of the patio out, dig and investigate. What did you build your gravel patio base on top of ? I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. 2. The retaining wall is moving. If the footing for the wall wasn’t properly compacted, the wall may be shifting or listing forward. If it’s a block wall, put a level on it vertically. If it appears to be tilted forward, you’ve found the problem. When a wall below a paver patio lists forward, you’ll see the pavers above it begin to separate and settle. Solution: rebuild the wall. Ouch.
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April 2012
Do It Yourself
Relocating Trees and Shrubs Doesn’t belong? Too crowded?
Early spring is a great time for transplants
illustrated by
Casey Lynch
STEP 1: Trim it back. Up to 1/3 of the tree or shrub can be cut back prior to digging. This will make it a bit easier to handle, and will reduce some of the stress on the plant as it adapts to its new surroundings.
STEP 2: Dig an oversized “moat” around the object shrub or tree. It’s best to be as wide as possible at the plant’s base. A simple rule of thumb is to gauge the spread of the plant’s branching structure. This will give you some idea of how far beyond the stem the majority of roots have spread.
STEP 3A: After completing the “moat,” begin carving out the area directly under the stem. As you make progress, attempt to carefully lean the plant to one side or the other. If it’s semiloose, you’re nearly there. Cut the remaining roots with a sharp object to minimize damage and stress to the plant. Remember, the more soil you can take, the better.
STEP 3B: Now that you know the size of the root ball you’ve excavated, dig a hole approximately 1&1/2 to double the size of the root ball in the new location.
STEP 4: Leaning the plant severely to one side, slide a piece of burlap or tarp under the root ball until the fabric/tarp is directly under the stem. With a helper, grab all four corners of the tarp and carefully move the plant to its new location.
STEP 5: Orient the plant similarly to how it had grown prior to being transplanted—tie a string to a stem on the north side of the plant prior to moving it as a reminder. Add some compost to the bottom of the hole—but only an inch or two. Place the tree into the prepared hole. Add additional compost that has been mixed with the native soil as you start to backfill the hole. The tree needs to start working to reestablish itself—too much compost to feedon encourages laziness. REMEMBER: burying a plant too deep will slowly suffocate it.
STEP 6: Water the plant in heavily. Be sure to check the dampness of the soil for 3-4 weeks after transplant. Keep the ground moist, not wet. Over-watering kills more plants than under-watering. When originally saturating the plant, think about adding vitamin B-1 to the mixture. B-1 is available at any nursery, and can help reduce the stress to new transplants.
STEP 7: If the tree or shrub is large, loosely stake it by connecting the restraint to the plant where the main stem meets a large branch. Don’t choke the plant—give it 4-6” of “sway” so it can build its muscles as it re-acclimates to its new surroundings.
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April 2012
Off the Beaten Path
By Alan Tower
Guest Contributor
Spokane’s location in Eastern Washington may itself be considered off the beaten path to any resident of Chicago, New York or Los Angeles. So, where does a garden designer/ nursery owner from Spokane go when he wants to feel off the beaten path? It takes a pretty remote locale to satisfy that urge. Our climate is arid. If the goal is to explore areas that share our droughts, our winter cold, the wind, the rocky or sometimes even sandy soils, then the Rocky Mountain States and high desert plateaus are perfect to unearth a rich vein of ideas for our gardens. The spectacular landscapes feed the soul and remind one of natural design elements. The Bisti Wilderness in New Mexico is one such remote location. My only companion on my last hike in this bewildering wilderness was a mountain lion, gratefully at a bit of a
distance. The big tripod shouldered like a rifle seemed to do the trick. The Rocky Mountain wild places provide many of the most spectacular, hardy and drought tolerant species for our gardens. Most visitors to the high desert or Rocky Mountain peaks have difficulty discerning which plants are the most relevant to adapt to a cultivated space such as the front yard. Luckily, the Rocky Mountains also are home to the most innovative botanic garden in the country, Denver Botanic Garden (www.botanicgardens.org). Panayoti Kelaidis has provided horticultural direction and inspiration to an entire generation of designers. In collaboration with Colorado State University, Denver Botanic established the Plant Select program (www.plantselect.org) to identify plants of particular merit for gardens in our cold, arid climate. Panayoti is even coming to Spokane this year, thanks to the Inland Empire Gardeners (www.tieg.org).
Long experience with these plants has engendered a deep admiration for their durability and adaptability. Of course, gardeners want plants that thrive. They look healthier; they look more impressive. There is sometimes a fine line between thriving and garden thug. The Plant Select program has a great track record. The only caveat
is that in our specific climate Epilobium fleischeri is a pest thanks to excessive seedlings despite its pretty pink flowers. Easy to please is just a bit too easy on that one. Otherwise, visit their web site and you’ll find a host of fabulous suggestions. This year we will offer a terrific new delosperma (hardy ice plant): ‘Fire Spinner’. The orange petals and viv-
April 2012
id pink eyes simply sparkle. The hardy ice plants offer extended bloom (Delosperma cooperi was still blooming on Thanksgiving in 2011 at Tower Perennial Gardens), deer resistance that has been quite reliable, and a manageable growth rate. You’ll succeed if you plant these in full sun (the flowers won’t open without direct sun) and in rocky or sandy soil. They are perfect plants to grow along a pathway of crushed rock. These hardy ice plants hail from remote locations, far off the beaten path, the Drakensberg Mts. in South Africa. Despite the exotic origin, these plants are ideally suited for the inland northwest/ Rocky Mountain climate. We’re fans of many Plant Select winners at Tower Perennial, but perhaps none more than Zauschneria garrettii ‘Orange Carpet.’ This is a bulletproof plant that thrives in dry hot locations. Very deer resistant and very colorful from late June until beyond initial frost. Perhaps as scarlet in color as it is orange, ‘Orange Carpet ‘ is covered in blooms. Probing its foliage you may find a visitor who likes it as much as the author. And don’t be too surprised if in a few seasons you should see another Plant Select introduction, this time a zauschneria in pink. We’ve got the advance notice on this one because it is one of the many plants developed at Tower Perennial Gardens. It is hard to get more local than that.
Wandering the remote Southwest has brought us plants like the dwarf forms of manzanita, a deep green, drought tolerant and very hardy groundcover. We’ve never had a deer browse one of these, and their pink bloom in early spring is a nice bonus. Cacti grow beautifully in Spokane if you provide water. We’re too dry for them here since they grow mostly in the heat of summer when we are parched. In their native desert and Rocky Mountain locations they get afternoon thunderstorms intermittently in summer. Even drought tolerant plants require water the first few years, and even when mature if there is extended drought. But don’t
underestimate the beauty of a cactus bloom. Rapidly gaining popularity are the penstemons, and we’ve been growing hardy species of this colorful hummingbird attractor for years. You can find photos of many of these plants, as well as photos of the remote locations I’ve explored at www.towerflower.com and at www. alantowerphoto.com (which will be launched in April, 2012). Additional photos are available on the Tower Perennial Facebook page as well, including a recent visit to the other ecological extreme, Washington’s Hoh Rain Forest. So, go off the beaten path both to nourish your soul and to find some-
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thing new for the garden. There are thousands of cool plants on this planet that belong in your garden. Even your annuals can include something new from Austrailia or a plant often neglected by modern horticulture, Amaranthus caudatus, pictured below. Beautiful containers with beautiful plants are a specialty for the nursery, offering the region’s best selection of both. At Tower we walk these paths as a matter of course, building gardens and landscapes that fit our climate, whether traditional or innovative. Go far enough off the path, and you’ll be on the right path.
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April 2012
Sink or (Land)Scape! Ever envision a house on the water—or even better, a house on the water on an island? It’s a beautiful thought—until you get into the realities of the logistics. By C.J. James Staff Writer
“This was a difficult project made substantially more difficult. We typically don’t take a boat to work. This location wasn’t in our playbook.” Warren Island on Lake Pend Orielle is approximately 1.5 miles by boat from the town of Hope, Idaho. Although it accommodates more than 25 homes, there is no bridge to the island, no roads on the island, and certainly no reliable, conventional access for residents. If you want to get to Warren Island, you take your boat. “The company didn’t even have a boat,” said Ben Hart of Special Additions Landscaping, LLC. “We’d landed a big job on an island 1&1/2 miles from shore, and we didn’t have a boat.” Needless to say, they didn’t have a barge, either. “We’ve built plenty of retaining walls, moved lots of dirt, but we’d never needed to cross a lake to do it. Arranging a barge to move equipment, a crane to move material to the island, and attempting to keep things on schedule was a chore.” Getting the materials to the barge wasn’t a walk in the park, either. “The crew would try to give me as much of a lead as they could. We’d order the boulders, soil, gravel— whatever it may be—to be delivered to the dock in Hope a day or two before the barge was scheduled to make the trip to the island,” said Nate Lynch, the owner of Special Additions Landscaping, LLC. Another crew would then spend the following day loading the materials into large bags or onto pallets, then stage everything within reach of the barge and crane to be picked up from shore.
I’ll say this: It’s very important that this pallet holds together!
“Fortunately, we were working with a homeowner who had been there and done that. They’d already built the house. They knew the process, they understood the associated costs,” said Nate. “They were willing to work with us concerning the activity taking place away from the site.” Jim and Carol Clemson had been budgeting for the final phase of their island project for 4 years after completing the house. Their home was built as a New England style timber frame, and blends beautifully with the native environment. A landscape that could measure up to the home—and more importantly the location—was hugely important to them. They’d built a great relationship with their builder, Dan McMahon of McMahon and Easterbrook of
Hope, Idaho, and relied heavily on his recommendation for a landscape architect. “We have the utmost respect and admiration for our builder Dan Mc-
Mahon, so it was natural for us to look to him for a recommendation. Dan recommended Dell Hatch to us after seeing his work on a few projects they had in common,” re-
Dell’s landscape concept: a pergola, retaining walls, stone walkways, & circular stair.
April 2012 calls Carol. “The goal when I first sat down with Dell was to create an inviting front entry to our home that was low maintenance and didn’t minimize our view of the lake. We wanted to use native (products) that seemed natural to our rocky, mountainous setting.” To keep all parties on the right
track—including herself—Carol made a list of her most important goals for the landscaping project: Simplicity, Harmony, and Beauty. Her fear was that losing focus on these goals would create a new atmosphere that would forever remain in conflict with the very natural, undisturbed setting of the island. Simplicity would be the
Nearly 1 yard of topsoil—one bag at a time…
theme of the overall plan. Harmony described the importance of blending imported plants and trees with those already established on the island—as well as reflecting the architecture of the home. Beauty was a more personal design element to the Clemsons. As the initial work took place, they would make small adjustments to the plan now that
they were able to merge concepts with construction. They weren’t the only ones who looked forward to the project. Nate’s crew was ready to combine theory and production as well. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as initially planned. ISLAND cont. on page 20
Dell’s circular staircase concept becomes reality
AFTER
REVIVE YOUR HABITAT! Renovations New construction Natural stone retaining walls and walkways Irrigation, water features, and outdoor structures
We are the hardscape specialists! LICENSED, BONDED, AND INSURED.
BEFORE
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(509) 995-5668 • specialadditionslandscaping.com nate@specialadditionslandscaping.com
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April 2012
A New Kind of Landscape Spokane is ready for a new kind of landscape: Garden focused, environment conscious, regionally expressive, life enhancing!
By Barb Safranek Monthly Contributor
In my residential landscape architecture practice, the design process starts with the client. I’ve been asked many times ‘What is your garden style?’ or “What is your favorite plant?”. Of course I have my favorites, but ascertaining the wish-
es and dreams of my clients is the foundation for each design I prepare. I strive to create a landscape that reflects the uniqueness and personality of its owners. The raw materials of site, including topography, structures, sun and wind, soil, established plants, water availability – are equally important factors, and in combination with owner’s wishes make for infinite creative outcomes. I believe the design process at its best is a collaborative exploration of ideas and possibilities. A good design is less a product and more a distillation and focusing of all the environmental and human directives for each project. In the most
successful landscapes this process continues after the plans are drawn and is refined by designer, owner and contractor during construction. The design intent, safe and well functioning circulation and activity areas, quality workmanship, beautiful details all influence the finished landscape. An up-front investment in design is usually a fraction of total project cost and helps ensure a tailored, functional and sustainable end result. A key perspective I bring to my practice is a passion for gardens. I love the outdoor theater – the variation of plant life, the changing seasons, the growth and maturing of
the garden - and I spend most of my free time in my own garden. I encourage my design clients to become involved in their gardens, whether in choosing plants, growing food, composting or just spending time reveling in their gardens. Spokane is an ideal climate for enjoying the outdoors. Our dry, warm summers are hospitable and our long summer days luxurious. We are able to grow an immense variety of plants; exquisite evergreens, flowering trees, endless perennials, succulents and desert plants and even coastal-loving rhododendrons and ferns. One of my favorite books written by Lauren Springer and her husband David Ogden Plant Driven De-
These semi-opaque screens were created for the site by Bill and Karma Simmons, local metal artists (2simmons.com)
April 2012 sign echoes my feelings about the importance of plants in creating a meaningful garden. Plants are central to an evocative landscape and are carefully chosen and featured in my garden designs. The concern for environmental health is mainstream stuff these days and is often expressed in a somewhat vague, one word expression ‘GREEN’. Designing and building a landscape provides a spectacular opportunity to deconstruct the concept of ‘GREEN’ and rebuild it into a functioning, living place. These are some of the questions that need to be asked in creating an environmentally conscious landscape; What is our understanding and desire for personal and environmental health? Is there potential for growth and new vision in the design process? What site resources can be integrated into the design? What materials will use minimum resources and provide maximum durability? What plant communities will
thrive on this site, and provide enjoyment with minimum care? This new approach to landscape design I would summarize as ‘life enhancing.’ It’s about more than adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard or ‘shrubbing-up’ the spaces around the lawn. A well designed landscape adds quality of life - comfort, beauty, respite, creative inspiration, health and connection for people and the environment. Are you ready for a new kind of landscape? Barb Safranek is a licensed Washington and Idaho Landscape Architect with 25 years of design experience. She lives with her husband and a couple of garden buddies on the South Hill where she explores connection with nature through gardens. Learn more about Barb’s work: www.barbarasafranekdesign. com. Barb can be contacted by email: bsafranek@comcast.net or phone: 509.939.8338
Inviting gravel path & blooming ground cover
Photo by Jerry Pavia
Photo by Jerry Pavia
A curvaceous concrete patio wraps around a waterfall and pond
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April 2012
She Delivers By Nate Lynch
The Garden Zealot
There is a daily schedule of repetition for those individuals who spend their working lives delivering the mail and the packages we rely on each day. For much of her working life, Kay Sullivan served as a cog in this well-oiled machine. Though small in stature, she tirelessly governed her daily route for UPS. Then one fateful day, while on this route she knew so well, Kay passed a home just on the market in Coeur d’Alene that would eventually replace the dilatory nature of brown, sterile boxes with a new, endlessly refreshing schedule. “God knew I was meant to be here,” says Kay as we walk the grounds on an unusually calm, warm day in March. “How could you possibly stay indoors on a day like this?” It’s certainly hard to argue. There
is a complexity and exhaustive detail that lures you into this garden. Though a gardener’s routine is by nature repetitive, there is no one corner of the landscape that resembles another. Walk slowly through her yard—if you are fortunate enough to have a guided tour—and you’re bound to see more variety than you thought possible in a northwest garden. The front lawn, with the Japanese maples, evergreens, ferns, hostas and perennials has the theme of a “Cascadia “ landscape. The back perennial border is bold and colorful--intermingled with roses, clematis, grasses and mountain hemlocks. The woodland garden contains a wide variety of hepaticas, primulas, lilies, hellebores, hydrangeas, pulmonarias and many more garden treasures. Accompanying the lush, formal garden is an extensive meadow of wildflowers at the back of the
A typical afternoon in Kay’s garden
property. An open space in the sun is reserved for her roses. Near that lies the neatly kept vegetable garden, ready for another year. There is the rock garden on the west side of the house, and what could only be considered an arboretum below, but which Kay simply refers to as “the natural.” The lawns are small,
but tidy and justified. There isn’t a spec of dirt out of place. Everything knows its role, and stands as though a squadron of cadets at inspection. Kay points out a minuscule bulb just breaking through the mulch— no more than a quarter of an inch above ground. “I noticed him yesterday,” she notes. It’s a garden created through her own measured calculations, the influences of a lifetime of family history, and with the help of a few close friends—many of whom are simply honored to be invited back time and again to this Coeur d’Alene oasis. Kay’s education started in her grandparent’s yard in Hayden Lake. “My grandpa didn’t know a thing about plants, but he loved being out in the yard. Grandma really enjoyed roses, hollyhocks, columbine—anything with a bloom.” Her parents had some input as well. “Mom was my biggest fan. She always told me how great being out here in the garden was.” Kay and her mother often worked side by side while the landscape was resurrected from the ground up. Everyday, Margie would drive to the house from her apartment and start on Kay’s daily “to do” list. “She was my right hand man.”
Margie in her element—pruners at the ready!
Five years before she passed away, Margie moved in with Kay. It was a decision Kay thought she was making in the best interests of her mother, but sharing the garden and the daily toil was a blessing for Kay as well. “It’s great having your hands
April 2012 If family is the inspiration, Kay’s network of “draftees” remain the means. “I’ve had some assistance along the way,” admits Kay. A coworker from UPS was the initial muscle, helping demolish large portions of the original landscape and driveway. She occasionally experiments with professional designers and close friends now and then, but typically trusts her own instincts. Sure, there is a list of regulars that pitch in from time to time, but in truth Kay is the garden’s engine.
“Red Carpet” pathways traverse the shade garden
in the soil,” says Kay. “It’s tranquil. It’s the next best thing to being with God. Especially when you can do it with your best friend.” As time went on, her mother was able to spend less and less time helping out—but was still able to enjoy the revelations of a garden that created its own daily show. Each day added a new paragraph to their garden’s ongoing story. Nearly a year after her death, Kay is certain she’s still working alongside her mother. “When I’m walking out in the garden, I feel that much closer to mom and God—and I have to assume she’s sitting right next to Him,” says Kay with a mischievous smile.
foreign debris. So completely controlled, the soil walkways lay as a red carpet at her feet. To an outsider, it appears that weeds refuse to germinate for fear of her tyrannical rule. The citizens of her landscape are the plants, trees, and flowers. Weeds are considered unwelcome invaders— quickly dispatched by Queen Kay.
“I don’t consider any of it hard. I just like being outside.” There’s never a shortage of things to do in a garden that stretches out over an acre. A typical day starts late in the morning and can sometimes last till dusk. The garden is canopied by dozens of fully-grown Ponderosa Pines— every breeze bringing down a days worth of raking. Pruning, weeding, and mowing complete the schedule. Add the hours, days, months, and years together, and what you’ll discover is a garden masterpiece 20 years in the making.
Although her father died before things truly began to take shape, his influence is one of the most prominent aspects of the garden. Every corner of the lawn is meticulously maintained. The grounds are absolutely immaculate. “Dad raised a perfectionist. Gardening doesn’t work that way.” Perhaps not, but at least in Kay’s garden, Dad’s standards are the rule. The fundamental laws and anticipated failings inherent to gardening don’t seem to apply. “Her garden is impeccably maintained,” says close friend Patti Jester, an accomplished landscape designer in her own right. “It inspires me to go home and tidy-up my own lawn.” There isn’t a branch that hasn’t been scrutinized and shaped to efficient form. The paths throughout the backyard gardens are free of any
Walk slowly—you might miss something!
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As for the initial, lackluster condition of the property, it’s become the exact opposite: completely spectacular. “What makes Kay’s garden so special is its diversity. With a vegetable garden, perennial bed, shade site, woodland area, an arboretum zone, colorful deck pots and more there is always something new to discover with each visit,” notes Patti. Kay will give you every reason to believe there’s no genius or grand scheme behind this transformation. She’ll try to convince you the key to an elegant garden is simple trial and error. But, if you’re willing to dig a little deeper, you’ll find that taking an overgrown, unspectacular landscape and transforming it into a garden paradise is no accident. It’s the grand finale of seasons of calculated planning and joyous monotony. So, what’s in store for the next 20 years? “I have no big plans, it’s just an ongoing project.” Everyday is a new delivery.
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April 2012
ISLAND cont. from page 15 Nate had arranged transportation to the island via the use of an employee’s fishing boat. The company would rent it from the employee for the duration of the job to get a crew of three to and from the island. The plan was sunk two days in—literally. “We were told the lake can get pretty rough, pretty quick in this area,” said Ben Hart, who led the job. “It does.” On the way back to Hope in rough water, the boat’s engine gave out. The crew toiled with the engine to no avail, only to “abandon ship” shortly before the boat was tossed back against the rocky shore of Warren Island. The company arranged transportation back to Hope with another contact, but the “rental boat” was totaled. “Rough water, rough start.” Jim and Carol offered Nate and his crew what became known as their “contractor boat.” Jim had another “tongue and cheek” name for it: The Plastic Fantastic. “It had seen a few nautical miles,” said Nate. “It got us there and back, and we were very lucky to have access to it, but I wouldn’t say we were the envy of the lake. We were always happy to see it was still above water every morning.” With transportation, their equipment now on the island, a steady trickle of materials being delivered twice a week via barge and crane, the crew was finally able to focus on the job at hand: landscaping. “The biggest hurdle was definitely the logistics,” said Nate. “But the landscape itself had a few challengTheGardenZealot.com
es of its own.” The landscape plan was intended to give the Clemsons much-needed access to the house while respecting the natural beauty of the site. Dell envisioned a circular, stone staircase and path to the front door that would accomplish exactly that. He also designed what he called “the grocery access” to the back door that the Clemsons could reach on a four-wheeler. “It seemed like every aspect of this job came down to a few inches,” said Ben. On the west side of the home the grocery path ran between two, large ponderosa pines and required the construction of a long retaining wall to restrain the existing slope. Ben had only inches to spare to avoid the trees with his excavator while building the wall. On the north side of the home, the circular stair was designed to curl around another, more fragile pine. To save the tree and make use of the native stone outcropping, Ben had only 4-6 inches of leeway. In the end, overcoming a rough start led to a beautiful ending. After 30 trips by barge and crane—moving over 450 tons of materials—the crew wrapped things up in late August. The site was completely transformed. “The simplicity and hardscape design was great,” says Carol. “The way the design was implemented was incredible. The care and maintenance are very low without compromising any of the aesthetics of the landscaping. I feel the design is in great harmony with the architecture of the home. (It) feels like a natural highlight to what Mother Nature had already provided on 509.714.4640
Combining simplicity, harmony, and beauty
this piece of land. It’s absolutely beautiful.” So, according to Nate, was it worth the effort? “We’d definitely do it again. Starting the day on the water is quite a novelty, and the challenges of the project kept us on our toes. There isn’t a more beautiful place to work.” And difficult logistics or not, the Clemsons wouldn’t argue that there’s no more beautiful place to live. Says Carol, “The artistry and craftsmanship that Special Additions Landscaping brought to the job made the difference from our home being just a house on a piece of land to an estate. Living on Warren Island has its fair share of inconveniences, trials and tribulations, but when you’re surrounded by such incredible beauty, and so
fortunate to call this place home, it’s absurd to think you have anything to complain about.” “Boat by and see what I mean. Just please mind the no wake zone!” Credits: Home Builder: Dan McMahon of McMahon and Easterbrook. www.mebldg.com (208) 2646700 Landscape Design: Dell Hatch, Landscape Architect. Bernardo-Wills Architects. www.bernardowills.com (509) 838-4511, ext 8029 Landscape Construction: Nate Lynch of Special Additions Landscaping, LLC. www.specialadditionslandscaping.com (509) 995-5668
April 2012
Your Play
THE
TOP 10 Signs You Might Love Gardening Too Much
10
You think the mud pies your kid made in the backyard actually look kind of tasty.
9 8
You drink tap water. Your petunias get Perrier.
7
Your kids see Easter Bunnies; you see diseaseridden no-good garden thieves.
6
You have 6 different styles of shovel - and they all have nicknames.
You can’t remember your own phone number, but you know the Latin name for every plant in your landscape.
5
Your local nursery has a section named in your honor.
4
You’re considering trading in your Honda Accord for something made by Caterpillar.
3
You’re a lifetime member of P.E.T.A., but if you find your neighbor’s dog in your garden one more
time you’re going to “kill that little bugger with my own bare hands.”
2
When an early frost threatened your heirloom tomatoes, you called 911.
1
After reading ‘The Garden Zealot’, you changed your will and made the editor your sole beneficiary.
DIRECTIONS: Send your highest scoring (landscape and garden-related) word to thegardenzealot@ gmail.com. The winner’s name will be published in next month’s issue of The Garden Zealot.
The humane Society’s Adoptable
Pet of the Month NOVA Terrier/American Pit Bull This short, squatty girl is Nova! She is looking for someone who likes to have fun as much as she does! Nova LOVES toys, and will push a rope into your hand so you will play tug-of-war with her. She is enthusiastic about life and loves to play, play, play! She is hoping to score a best friend who will take her on long, daily walks where she can stretch those short little legs of hers and smell the smells and see the sights! She knows sit and she comes to her name. Come meet this little spitfire ball of fun and fall in love! If you have any questions about Nova or would like to meet her give the Spokane Humane Society a call at 509 467-5235 or come to 6607 N Havana. SpokaneHumaneSociety.org
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April 2012
The Beauty of Boredom By Nate Lynch
The Garden Zealot
It’s an age-old question: What would you do with a drunken sailor? Personally, I’d put him in jail and let him dry out for a while. Problem solved. I think the real question that needs to be addressed is What would you do with a bored landscaper? Certainly there are no simple answers—especially in the dead of winter. The Garden Zealot will never be a publication to take the easy road. To answer some timeless questions you need to dig deep. You need to get out from behind the snowplow and exercise your imagination. In my case, as winter closed in on me late last November, I was lucky enough to find inspiration in the most obvious of all places: my pile of rocks.
Every time a professional landscaper buttons up his or her latest project, they’re nearly certain to be left with a pile of leftovers. Most of the time it’s a yard of dirt or a pile of sod cuttings, but on the grandest of occasions it might be a few extra stones you never found a place for. So you start to mull over your options… “What to do… What to do…” You certainly aren’t going to take them to the dump—do you know what that would cost??? You can bury them where they sit. “I mean, I have the excavator sitting right here… Of course, the Johnsons just paid me not to destroy their lawn.” That settles it, I’ll take them home. So home they come. And as I pull into the pasture, I remember that I’ve been in this situation before. I decide to put them next to the other
Welcome to the family!
five piles. Always a welcome addition. And they don’t look bad sitting there either. They have a way of blending in with the pile of dirt I’ve been working on for the last four years. About 200 yards worth now. It’s really coming together here in Otis Orchards. My wife thinks it may be time for me to consider a self-evalua-
tion. She’s a peach—never one to criticize my ambitions. But she has a way about her too. Her lips say, “Honey I trust you.” But her eyes say, “What on earth are you doing to our home?” A fair question. A question with no answer as it turns out, but fair. All I can really do is point out that these rocks look really cool. Not so much in a big pile, but when they’re put together—typically on someone else’s property. Most often in the form of a wall. So in my mind I’ve won the argument—but she’s a stickler. “Our yard is completely flat. We don’t need a wall.” I really question her lack of vision at this point. Her eyes say, “You’re an idiot.” Now winter is rolling in and there sits my pile of rocks. Alone, cold, hard. They call to me, “We’re alone, cold, and hard.” I understand. Something needs to be done about this. I have to dig deep. I need a revelation—a vision! Then it happens… “What if I build a wall for a wall’s sake?” Genius! I’m a doggone genius! My wife’s eyes say, “Behold, the father of my children...” I’m not sure I like her eyes’ tone.
Rocks, a radio, and a few flakes of snow…
“Don’t give up just yet,” I tell myself. A precedent was set long before my time. “We live on a farm,” I say. “What about all the farmers down through the ages who piled field stone on their property lines? What about that?” I ask. “Those were walls for the property line’s sake,” she
April 2012 says. Ok… “Well, how about the great wall of China?” I boldly exclaim. “That’s a wall for protection’s sake,” she quips. She’s just toying with me now. So I drop the hammer: “Can you say Stonehenge?” I ask. I’ve obliterated her. Her eyes are speechless. So it’s settled. My pile of rocks and I are in business. The following weekend I reacquaint myself with my rock pile. What a beautiful group! Is it possible I’d forgotten? “I remember you,” I say. “We worked together on the Erickson’s project! You came from that slide in Worley!” “And you!!!” Another old friend. “I brought you home after we finished up the Lankford’s place in Sandpoint! Ahhh, the memories. The times we had…” If rocks could talk. I remember them all. Six different families of stone. A group of tourists from Airway Heights, Worley, Sandpoint, Clark Fork, Colfax, and the South Hill. “Well, you’re home now my friends, let’s get to work.” Of the few benefits derived from being a professional landscaper, there is always this: in the winter, all the machines come home. I won’t be doing all the heavy lifting myself. My wife and I have decided that our general landscaping will be modeled after an English cottage garden. What’s that, you ask? Well, mostly plants, plants, and more plants. Lawn without function is frowned upon—and I assume it would be eliminated altogether if those crazy Brits were given the option. But most importantly, a cottage garden relies heavily on its borders. The garden border serves as the frame for the entire package. It creates distinction—and how my yard longs for distinction! As it currently sits, our lawn blends directly into our pasture. There is a very real personality conflict between the two going on here. An unresolved argument over where one ends and the other begins. Much like the chicken and the egg. As we labor on in harmony—I, the inanimate object, side by side with my electrifying rock pile—our
new garden border begins to take shape. All the while I give credit where credit is due: “My what an outstanding fit Mr. Colfax Field Stone! You have such a wonderful brown tone Sir Airway Heights Basalt Shale.” It’s never a bad idea to give a pat on the back to a co-worker who’s doing an exceptional job. This is too much fun! And don’t ask me what it is, but having a radio to fill the silent voids of conversation can be absolutely enchanting as the snow falls and I listen to Nat King Cole sing “The Christmas Song.” Hallelujah! As spring closes in on us we near completion of our stony collaboration. I wouldn’t say there’s a sense of animosity between the stones and I, but we’re both running a little short on patience. I’ve only a few feet to go, and I’m down to the uncooperative scallywags that just don’t desire to fit in. Every family has its black sheep, I suppose. But I can negotiate. That’s why I never travel without my sledgehammer and chisel. We can work it out.
Cooperate!
I won’t say much more. Only a few additional words to assure you that we all lived happily ever after. Rock pile, my wife, and myself couldn’t be more pleased with our new stone wall. I think mixing everyone together was really the way to go. Even though they came from different backgrounds, all of my piles of stone descended from the basalt-family umbrella. Basalt is a black/brown stone, and it seems to reflect nicely off our white house with the red roof. But still… Something is missing. How great would a white, smooth, river-rock cap look on this sharp, black basalt wall? “Yahtzee!” Nate Lynch is Publisher of The Garden Zealot, and has landscaped professionally for 15 years. Nate’s pile of rocks lay solemnly in the mountains and valleys of Washington, Idaho, and Montana for thousands of years until recently relocating to Otis Orchards to start their new lives as a garden border. Nate’s wife wishes to remain anonymous.
Yahtzee!
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April 2012
The Real Dirt Prepare your vegetable garden By Kristy Wittkopf
Monthly Contributor
Vegetable gardeners everywhere know a real life secret that nongardeners have yet to discover: growing your own vegetables can change your life! That sounds like a pretty bold statement when you think of the humble vegetable—but just look at this short list of benefits: growing your own vegetables saves you money, contributes to a healthy lifestyle, and offers a rewarding lifelong hobby to be shared with friends and family. Economically speaking, an inexpensive package of seeds bought in the spring can yield many delicious meals throughout the summer. Your grocery budget can be stretched even further if you freeze your fresh produce for fall and winter meals. You can’t beat the nutritional value of home grown vegetables that are eaten within a day or two of harvesting. If you choose organic, non-genetically modified seeds—such as Heirlooms—you spike the nutritional value even more. Pair nutritional value with the exercise benefits of digging, stretch-
ing, bending, as well as the cardio workout gained from running a wheelbarrow around the yard, and you can almost justify letting your gym membership expire. When you consider the health benefits along with the learning experience, the tradition of vegetable gardening, and the fact that all your friends are doing it… Isn’t it time you got in on the secret? If your answer is an emphatic “Yes!” then read on for my suggestions on getting started. As soon as the sunny days arrive each spring, no matter what the thermometer says, I can’t help but begin daily visits to my vegetable garden to check the consistency of the soil. The magic moment for planting cool season vegetables outdoors is when a handful of soil gently squeezed falls apart at the edges but stays loosely together in the center. If the soil stays in a compacted form when squeezed it’s too early. If the soil holds no form at all when squeezed, I know I’d better step up my planting schedule because I’ve just lost valuable growing days. I like to plant my vegetables in
You can’t beat the nutritional value of home grown vegetables
raised garden beds because the warming rays of the sun are more concentrated there, and I can plant successfully one or two weeks earlier than in a traditional flat ground bed. Raised garden beds also allow for crucial drainage, which is critical for most vegetables. Because I am a lazy gardener, I pull my spent vegetable plants in the fall and leave the non-woody stems and leaves on the top of the soil. I then spread 2 or 3 inches of compost over the top, and let all the worms and microorganisms such as beneficial bacteria and fungi work their magic over the winter. If I didn’t get around to adding the compost last fall, I’ll rake it into the top 2-3 inches of soil in the spring. Remember, if you add compost in the spring, you need to be sure it’s a “finished compost” so further break down isn’t necessary. “Green” compost will delay your planting time even more. I don’t like to dig my beds each spring, partly because it’s a lot of work (did I mention I’m a lazy gardener?). It can also damage the soil structure and disturb the important work of the earthworms and organisms that have already been doing the job all winter.
Still a little too early!
Once the soil is ready to be worked, I rake off any debris that have accumulated over the winter and start planting. Veggies that like cool spring temperatures go in first.
Some of these are garden peas, lettuces, radishes, spinach and other greens. You can also plant vegetable starts of cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, onions and cauliflower during the cool days of spring. Check your seed packets or plant tags for recommendations. The traditional “flat ground” gardening method continues to be a favorite of many gardeners. If you choose this method, you can still achieve some of the benefits of raised bed gardening. The French Intensive Gardening Technique employs sooner-to-warm soils and free drainage. This system involves raking your soil into several long mounds about 3-4 feet wide and 6-8” deep. Vegetables are then planted in blocks rather than rows for easier watering and better weed control. Remember that vegetables need at least 6 hours of sun each day. Eight hours is better. When choosing a site for a new garden, remember to consider nearby trees—and especially the fact that bare branches now can be deceiving. When the leaves appear later on, your site could be too shady for optimum yields. For new garden sites, remove all existing vegetation, break up the dirt, and add a good, quality, premixed soil that was specifically designed for vegetable production. You’ll need a generous amount, say 6-8 inches. If purchasing a pre-
April 2012 mixed soil, be sure that it contains 25% compost. Don’t be discouraged if your existing soil is a bit on the sandy side. Sand is actually a very important component of perfect gardening soil. It allows for free drainage (there are very few vegetables that like to be waterlogged). You’ll want to mix 3-4 inches of finished compost into your sandy soil. Once your veggies are off to a good start, a compost mulch will conserve moisture and provide a slow release organic fertilizer for your garden. Keep your newly planted beds evenly moist until the new sprouts begin to peek through. Now you can begin a regular watering schedule that allows your garden to dry out on the surface, but stays moist 2-3” below the surface. Remember—not too wet! Whether you choose a drip or overhead watering system, watering during the morning is best. This allows the water to penetrate the soil without losing much to evaporation. It also gives the leaves a chance to completely dry throughout the day, thus avoiding conditions that can allow diseases to breed. Finally, you will achieve the best results by adopting a regular feeding program of diluted organic fertilizer. Choose the fertilizer according to the needs of the plants you are growing. Remember, less is more
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when it comes to fertilizer. Now you’re ready to begin enjoying the life-changing benefits of growing your own vegetables. You’ll be healthier, have extra spending money, and be embarking on a joyful gardening life to be shared with all the people you know. Give it a try. You won’t be sorry. Think you’re short of room for a garden? Check out these ideas for growing vegetables in limited spaces: Contain Yourself: You can grow most herbs and vegetables in containers on your sunny porch, patio or deck. Almost any container with drain holes will work whether its pottery, wood, galvanized steel, concrete or plastic. The most important thing to remember when growing vegetables in containers is drainage. Water must be able to drain freely through the soil and run out the bottom of the container. Never use soil from your garden in your containers. The container environment requires a potting soil that is specifically blended for both moisture retention and drainage. Ditch Your Lawn: Consider digging up all or part of your lawn for vegetable and fruit production. Less mowing, fertilizing
GET THINGS DONE.
Kristy’s raised garden beds
with long, deep green leaves; blueberry bushes with their sweet, white flower and gorgeous green-to-purple-to-blue fruit; and eggplant with its delicate lavender flowers and shinny jewel-like purple fruit. Even the humble carrot has pretty “ferny” foliage that contrasts beautifully with shrubs and perennials.
and watering will not only free up your time, but is better for the environment. The ground where lawn has grown previously will likely be compacted and should be dug at least 8” deep and mixed with about 2-3 inches of compost before planting. Mingle: Think about planting vegetables in your landscape beds alongside your ornamentals. Lots of vegetable plants have very decorative foliage and fruit that can bring eye-catching curb appeal to your landscape. Some of my favorites include: rainbow chard with its yellow, orange, and ruby stems that are topped
WEBSITES
Kristy Wittkopf owns and operates Wittkopf Landscape Supply with her husband, Larry. Contact Wittkopf Landscape Supply at (509) 467-0685. In Sandpoint, call (208) 255-4200. Sign up for Kristy’s monthly enewsletter by texting “GOODDIRT” to 22828.
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April 2012
My Pet Story By Robin Larson
Guest Contributor
Meet Sonny. I found him wandering the neighborhood in Post Falls during the severe winter of 2008. He wasn’t in great shape—and was more than a little reclusive. I’d been trying to coax him to the door for a free meal for several months, but he’d have none of it. Finally, during a storm that dropped more than 24” of snow in our neighborhood, he gave in. He was starved, matted— in horrible shape. I felt so badly for him, and left food outside everyday. In time, he learned the schedule, and even started using the cardboard
box I’d refurbished for him and left on the deck outside for shelter. It wasn’t fun for either of us, but after a long battle, Sonny and I made the trip to the vet’s office in the calm, silent comfort of my Subaru hatchback (actually, it was a complete disaster—the details of which I’d prefer not to re-hash). Four years later Sonny and I get along like peas and carrots. He used to protest coming in the house… Now I can’t get him to leave (spoiled brat!). Have a short pet story for The Garden Zealot? Submit it to thegardenzealot@gmail.com.
“Look at me now!”
BOOK REVIEW:
Japanese Stone Gardens by Stephen Mansfield By: CJ James staff Writer
The chance that you know someone with a traditional Japanese Rock Garden is slim. However, it’s a good bet that you’ve incorporated some aspect of this style’s unique motifs into your own space. Areas of raked sand or gravel, delicately pruned trees and shrubs, and carefully composed rock groupings are hallmarks of the Japanese rock garden. These design elements have greatly influenced gardens around the world. In his book “Japanese Stone Gardens” (Tuttle Publishing, 2009), Stephen Mansfield explains the origins, meanings, and forms the Japanese garden represents. “The gardens (of this style) are characterized by an absence of ornamentation and an acute relationship between sculptural rocks and the luminous expanse of sand and gravel on which they sit. The overstimulation experienced in the Japanese paradise and stroll garden, where visual and narrative details are bountiful, is exchanged for a severe reduction of nature and the cosmos to a small planar unit where, distraction-free, a state
of awareness... becomes possible.” The idea of the garden being a place to focus attention and highlight particular themes is something that appeals to many western gardeners. Mr. Mansfield’s book is broken down into two sections. In Part One, the author details the individuals and laborers who started this unique garden style, and explains the movement’s evolution over time. He also relates the reason each aspect of rock gardens takes the form it does. If you’ve ever wondered, for example, where the inspiration for the raked gravel bed came from and what that expanse of manicured rock represents, you’ll find the answer detailed and explained in the author’s crisp prose. These ‘how’ and ‘why’ explanations are fascinating, but even more interesting are the practical applications of these theories described later in the book. We are given a written and visual tour of 15 of the most influential and well-known rock gardens in Japan—complete with a history of their individual design and construction. Though the gardens share some similarities in form and intent, the competing philosophies of each are
fascinating. Each garden has it’s own specific characteristics that speak to the competing ideologies of the designers and laborers who created the space. The Raikyu-ji garden, for example, is set apart by it’s striking topiary art. The Kishiwada Castle garden was designed to be appreciated from several viewpoints (in and of itself quite unusual, for a typical Japanese rock garden is designed around a very limited number of outlooks). For those with an interest in the Japanese Rock Garden style, this book is an excellent resource. Well written and researched, it’s an absorbing read for anyone with even a passing enthusiasm for the subject. As an author, Mr. Mansfield is clear and easy to follow. ‘Japanese Stone Gardens’ would make a great companion during a stroll through Manito Park’s own Nishinomiya Japanese Garden.
April 2012
Witchhazels:
Change is in the Air By Patti Jester
Monthly Contributor
Herald: “…gives indication of something to come.” This definition is exactly what the shrub witchhazel does for me. Often described as a color spot in the winter garden, it definitely lets me know that winter is waning and spring is coming. With it’s strap-shaped, often twisted petals appearing at the end of February or beginning of March, I give a sigh of relief that the cold months are on their way out. The temperatures may drop into the teens and the snow flurries may fall, but that won’t damage the flowers of this stalwart beauty. How encouraging it is to look out my window and see it’s bright yellow color in contrast to the drabness of late winter. Even if we prefer a garden in soft muted tones the rest of the season, come spring we seem to tolerate the bold primary colors or even a haphazard array of bulbs—only because we so long to finally see color outdoors. Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ gives us just that, well before the more commonly known forsythia, rhododendron or lilac. This particular hybrid has other cultivars such as: ‘Diane’ with a deep bronzy red flower; ‘Jelena’ a copper colored flower and a more horizontal growth habit; and ‘Pallida’—another yellow flowering one that’s a bit more compact. ‘Arnold Promise’ will grow up to 20 ft. high and 10 ft wide and has a V-shaped growth habit. With that kind of shape, I find that it fits well into a small garden setting. If space allows, it’s interesting to plant a small grove of witchhazels of different kinds. There is also Hamamelis japonica, H. mollis, H.vernalis and the Eastern US native H. virginiana. This latter one however does not bloom in spring but does so in the fall. This floral display is less dramatic because it gets lost in the foliage color of the shrub. H.virginiana can also be-
come a much larger specimen over time and it is hardy to Zone 3. The other varieties are hardy to Zones 5. They prefer a moist, well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. They’re an excellent shrub for the edge of the woodland or for just outside the canopy of a large deciduous tree. A great benefit of H.x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ is that it rarely needs pruning—unlike the other ubiquitous yellow bloomer of spring. Only occasionally do I have to remove a few suckers at its base. Allowing it to take its natural shape is part of its beauty. Remember however to allow for that when planting. Hamemelis are not only an early spring performer but also put on quite a fall show with foliage colors of yellow, and red-orange. They work well in the landscape as they tolerate other plantings around their root systems. I have an idea why this great plant is not more widely known in this part of the country. My hunch is that when the weather finally does warm up enough to get us to venture out to our local plant nurseries, the witchhazels have long since bloomed and by now are sending out leaves that don’t call for our attention. Their once vivid flowers now faded don’t say “buy me,” and we wander past them towards some other blooming lovelies. Oh, but if you only knew how they can awaken the winter-weary gardener. Change is on its way, and the one who is announcing this for me is ‘Arnold Promise’. Patti Jester, The Gardener, is a landscape designer from Coeur d’ Alene who specializes in complex, plant-driven projects. Most of her work features expansive, mixedapplication shrub and evergreen gardens that incorporate elaborate stonework and various, custom garden artistries.
hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
Events April 7: The Ponderay Garden Center Easter Activity Day for Kids and Families - Ponderay, Idaho. April 11: Strategies for Dealing with Deer in the Garden. Ponderay Garden Center - Ponderay, Idaho. 3pm. April 13-15: Premier Home Improvement Show - Spokane County Fairgrounds - 12-8, 10-8, 10-5. April 14-15: Panhandle Building Contractor’s Association (PBCA) Home and Garden Show - Sandpoint, Idaho
April 14: “April Showers” - The Land Counsil’s 17th Annual Auction - DoubleTree Hotel - Downtown Spokane @ 4:30 April 21: Worm Your Way to Better Vegetables (Composting Clinic). The Ponderay Garden Center - Ponderay, Idaho. 10am April 23: Earthday Spokane - 35 W. Main, Spokane. 11am - Midnight. May 12: Spokane Garden Expo - Spokane Community College Lair 1810 N. Green Street. 9-5
HAVE AN UPCOMMING EVENT? SUBMIT IT TO THE GARDEN ZEALOT @ THEGARDENZEALOT.COM
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April 2012
Your Patio: Paved or Stamped? By: C.J. James Staff Writer
The story is told of a gardener who spent all season working in his backyard – moving wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of dirt, making countless trips to the nursery, shaping and tending beds as carefully as a surgeon, and filling each space with just the right plant. Later in the summer, a friend came to visit and found him sitting in the house, gazing from his chair out the window. “All that work and you’re looking at your garden through the glass?!” his friend exclaimed. “Why aren’t you outside?” “I finished my garden,” the man replied, “and found I’d left no place in it to sit!” We all want a place to rest and enjoy our garden. There are a myriad of patio options out there, and finding a consensus on which is best would be next to impossible. Two choices, however, consistently rise to the top of the gardener’s wish list: pavers and stamped concrete. When installed properly, both of these surfaces will last for years and add function and personality to a garden
and value to a home. But which one will work better in your space? The Garden Zealot asked two experts about the pros and cons of each: “There are lots of advantages to pavers, starting with the fact that they have a classic look and will fit well into almost any design,” says Nate Lynch, owner of Special Additions Landscaping, LLC in Otis Orchards. Nate, who estimates he’s installed somewhere in the neighborhood of 70,000 square feet of pavers in the 15 years he’s been landscaping, rates pavers highly for their timeless appeal. “It’s rare to find a garden space that won’t benefit from a paver patio. One of the great things about pavers is the vast selection of colors and styles to choose from. Does your garden have a contemporary feel? ‘Old World’ style? Is it somewhere in the middle? There’s enough variety out there for nearly anyone to find something they like.” Another feature of paver patios is their ability to accommodate fine detail. “We’ve cut all kinds of designs and shapes into the bodies of different patios,” says Nate. “You
Consider your options and make the right choice
By using several types of stone you can create unique designs
can incorporate graceful curves and forms, and the textures of the pavers themselves are beautiful. Plus, pavers have been around a long, long time. The Roman Empire was built on a network of paver roads and highways 2,000 years ago. They have a traditional look that will never go out of style.” Appearance is important, but so is longevity. We’ve all seen paver patios that look like the surface of a windswept lake. According to Nate,
Pavers come in many colors and textures
durability isn’t a problem if the base is installed correctly with a geotextile underlayment. Do that and the patio will last a long time and stay as flat as a pancake. “The problem with most patios that have failed is the subgrade preparation. An installer needs to know what he or she is building on. If you’re working at a site that is new, the possibility exists that a surface or subgrade that looks stable may still be settling out. Clay is notorious for taking it’s time, and
April 2012 I’m yet to discover how to speed it up.” Four to 6” of compacted base during construction is the law for most patios—a driveway should have double that amount. Installed cost by a professional, says Nate, can range “from about $8/square foot to around $15.” The difference in square foot price is mostly determined by the style of paver chosen, access, and how much work is needed to prepare the site. The subject of cost always leads to the pressing question: can a homeowner install a paver patio themselves - with good results? That depends on knowledge, says Nate. “Find a tutorial online or talk to a pro about how to compact the base, how to screed sand to bed the pavers, how to put in edging… You also need to make sure your patio is going to shed water away from structures.” His advice: “Don’t get in over your head with something too big or your whole summer might disappear into the project. When you factor in rentals, blades, and the ‘trial and error’ factor, the savings may not be as great as you’d think.” While a motivated homeowner might tackle a paver patio, taking on stamped concrete yourself is probably not a good idea. “I see lots of work professionals have done that’s flaking and coming apart,” says Mark Avena, owner of Charis Construction Inc. in Spokane. “The weather in Eastern Washington and North Idaho is very hard on concrete. If you don’t have a really good handle on how to prevent weather-related failure, the patio won’t withstand the freeze/thaw cycle without cosmetic or structural dam-
age.” According to Mark, the key to ensuring durability is understanding the inherent characteristics of the material. “Concrete is a sponge. Most people think that ice-melt (salt) causes the damage you see around here. The culprit is the water that the salt creates by melting the ice, which is then absorbed by the concrete. When the water freezes again, it pops the surface.” Is that an argument against the durability of stamped concrete? Not at all, maintains Mark. “After 25 years and 500,000 square feet, I can tell you with certainty that longevity is a strong suit of concrete. If it’s done right – proper subgrade preparation, control and expansion joints, and the right mix for the application it will absolutely last 25 to 50 years and always look beautiful.” That distinctive beauty is a big reason many people opt for stamped concrete. “The uniqueness of the product is amazing,” Mark continues. “There are literally thousands of color and texture options. Logos and designs can be incorporated into the patio with custom molds and stamps. The sealer can be a gloss or matte finish. It’s amazing how vast the choices are. They’re limited only by a person’s creativity, really.” How about cost? “Well, somewhere between $9 and $15 per square foot is a good place to start,” says Mark. “It’s good to remember, too, that stamped concrete needs to be re-sealed with an acrylic coating every year or two. But the ‘wow’ factor when you see that finished patio will really take the sting out of the cost.”
Which way should you go?
anything else. Probably the best help in making a choice will come from touring different patios done in different styles and with different materials. Many of our local garden centers and hardscape suppliers feature examples of numerous styles of pavers. For concrete ideas, check out construction supply shops in your area. It’s likely that you’ll come across something that speaks to you and your personal taste. Remember to account for how the surface will
contrast with surroundings outside the garden (your house and other structures). Don’t be afraid to ask an individual you trust for a tip or two in the planning stages. Summer is coming… Have a seat and enjoy your garden! Much of Nate’s recent work can be viewed at specialadditionslandscaping.com. Mark’s work can be seen at charisconstructioninc.com. You can contact him at (509) 714-1300 or via email at markavena@comcast.net.
So, pavers or stamped concrete? The decision comes down to aesthetic preference more than
There’s more to concrete than… concrete.
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Don’t forget to leave room for a chair or two!
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April 2012
An Outstanding Garden for the Home Show By Barb Safranek
Monthly Contributor
A lush garden in the middle of winter is a tantalizing dream. It’s a time of year when we are pining for color and fragrance but shivering with the reality of February. For me, designing a display garden for the Home Show is a pretty good antidote to the winter doldrums - an opportunity to anticipate and celebrate the coming season of growth. Free from the limitations of the outdoors, but tightly constrained to a 10’ x 20’ rectangle of concrete floors and blue drapes, our indoor display was a unique design challenge. This year, in our second Home Show collaboration, Greenscape Landscaping and Barbara Safranek Landscape Design decided to build a display around the theme of sustainability. We called it ‘Keeping it Real - Creating a Sustainable Garden’ and approached our ‘green’ garden from several perspectives, including creating a place for nature to thrive, using resources wisely and designing for comfort and beauty to ensure a garden’s long and useful life. Constructing a garden in
Blueberry Culvert Planter
“Re-purposed” gutter
winter is another kind of challenge - a rigorous exercise in the artifice of bringing the outdoors inside and turning winter into spring. Once we were satisfied with our design on paper we moved into
Everyone Loves Our Garden!
action acquiring the necessary materials for construction. This year’s theme mandated using as many repurposed materials as possible which required quite a bit more effort and searching to find just what we were
In the shop
looking for. Our garden shed was made from weathered barn wood, old corrugated metal siding and rusty gutters. The 6×6 posts were milled from discarded telephone poles. A raised blueberry planter was made
April 2012 from a galvanized culvert remnant. Greenscape’s owner Aaron Farr and I communicated throughout this process sharing the responsibility of finding these treasures.
for driving to Portland and returning with a truckload of green and blooming plants specifically for the show. We arranged a mixed shrubtree-perennial planting showing how to provide refuge, food and seasonal beauty. We also included a re-circulating fountain in a gorgeous rustic-red ceramic pot, an antique red wicker chair, and a special barnwood-framed hanging garden to emphasize the importance of comfort and beauty in the garden.
Our materials assembled, we marked off a 10’ x 20’ space in Greenscape’s shop and began the process of mocking up, tweaking and finally building the structures. This year’s booth was a mixture of wood, metal, stone and plants. Nate Terpstra, Greenscape’s carpenter, led construction I almost forgot to of the booth by mention the ‘brilfirst building the liance’ of accent corrugated metal lighting in a waregarden shed and house setting. We the curved, welded try to spotlight all wire mesh fence. our main features Once the wood with a warm, sunny working was finglow which really ished we carefully disassembled the enlivens the colors structures and apand creates a feelOutstanding display award plied the wood ing of the outdoors. finishes. Freshly We found that it painted, Nate labelled every piece to was the small things and attention make sure it would be easy to put to detail that set our booth apart. back together on site at the home Show time! Aaron and I spent show. It took approximately 2 weeks four days meeting, greeting and to shop-finish the display structures. welcoming show-goers to our garThree days before showtime the den. We loved watching the faces crew loaded everything in truck of people coming around the corner s and hauled it down to the fairand stopping short! The wonderful grounds. Setup days are busy and comments were nice too - my fachaotic requiring patience working vorite was from a woman who felt along side many other vendors who our booth “made the whole show are all under similar pressures. Once worthwhile.” all the materials were unloaded our pre-built structures went up pretty fast. After assembling the structures we brought in the heavy equipment and began setting boulders, spreading a base of sand, laying a paver patio, situating our fire pit made from an oversized restaurant wok, and plumbing the pot fountain. The installation of the heavy elements can be very nerve wracking as we are maneuvering in tight spaces and do not want to drop anything and damage the floors. Once the crew is finished with the heavy construction I’m called in for the ‘soft work’ - setting the plants and adding the human touch with furnishings and accessories. A special thanks to Gibson’s Nursery
Warm, Sunny Lighting
Set up at the Fairgrounds
If you missed the show in February you can visit us at the Home Improvement Show April 13 - 15 at the fairgrounds. Come by and say hello!
Barb Safranek is a licensed Washington and Idaho Landscape Architect with 25 years of design experience. She lives with her husband and a couple of garden buddies on the South Hill where she explores connection with nature through gardens. Learn more about Barb’s work: www.barbarasafranekdesign. com. Barb can be contacted by email: bsafranek@comcast.net or phone: 509.939.8338
Showtime!
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April 2012