Before Pictures. 04/03/2011

 

 

Blooming of a Clivia 04/03/2011

 

 

Conservatory Waterfall 10/24/2009

 

 

A fountain really, to add humidity to the conservatory. 

The top of the fountain waterfall begins about 12 feet up.

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Waterfalls 10/23/2009

 

Every garden needs one.

Growing up this was my playground, a ravine behind our home. 

This is where I found my first wildflowers.

This is where I spent time swinging across from side to side hanging on a rope like Tarzan!

Follow the stream up to the head of the ravine.

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Along the way there are pools to jump over and wade through.

The air is moist.  Moss is growing on all the rocks. 

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When you reach the end of the ravine there it, is my waterfal. 
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My family always teased me saying that the waterfall was probably just a foot high.  You always think things are bigger, taller as a kid then you go back to see them as an adult and they are really small.

You can't tell by this picture, but it has a 12 foot drop!!

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The Conservatory has a waterfall, really a fountain.   It is 10 feet tall at present.  I hope to increase the height to 16 feet.

 

Gardening Gene 10/10/2009

 

  I officially started gardening at the age of 10.  I joined 4-H, dug up a small bed and planted seeds.  Before that time I helped Mom plant annuals every year.  That garden at 10- I made all the decisions, so that is the date I choose to tell people when I am asked how long I have been gardening. 

I remember one year- Mom and I carefully planted the annuals for the summer.  We had to run an errand, when we got back each plant had been pulled out and placed next to what had been their new home.  We found out a short time later a little helper had been busy weeding for us!

My earliest memory took place in a garden - I was around 2-3 years old.  In my memory I am very happy and secure walking through a garden with my Papa Bingham.  I don’t remember the plants just that there were many.  Papa died when I was 5, I am told he was a great gardener.  Growing up I always heard, "You have such a green thumb, Papa would have loved you!"

Is rock gardening hereditary?  I am driven to build rock gardens.  I am told that no matter where Papa lived he put in a rock garden.  My son now is interested in rock gardens.

I received the gardening gene from both sides of my family.  Grandpa Van Schoyck had a huge vegetable garden.  Every time we visited, Grandpa would walk me around his yard telling me all sorts of interesting facts.  My fondest memory is of the Rose of Sharon bush that drew multitudes of humming birds to his side yard.  There were so many humming birds buzzing around we had to yell to talk to each other!