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Welcome to a run-thru of my Conservation Garden Project I'm creating at my home. 2002 was a sort of
"rip out" year, as I went through and removed the former owner's landscape and began to build my
infastructure. Some plants were added to the ripped up beds, in the back I created two "wet prairie"
gardens by laying tarps underneath the soil to slow release of moisture. A preform pond liner was
installed this spring in the same area for some standing water.
For a refresher, click on over to:
http://www.farmertodd.com/misc/house/garden/070902/
Last fall, I heavily seeded a bed I'd created in the right side yard. I found this is really the best
way to start the bread and butter of the beds, as the plants receive necessary competition, and grow as
one. The gardener can then remove plants to give to friends, plant elsewhere, and then add in those
"showcase plants" that they've picked up at a nursery. Where I'd not gone this route (purchased
nursery grown plants to start or rescues), I've ended up with 6' tall Wild Bergamont and 5' tall
Woodland Sunflower. Whoops. I even think it looks "weedy" :)
This spring, I removed a basketball pole along side the driveway, and then
added the Aspen timbers as borders. The Aspen was the product of Prairie Restoration
done at the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve last winter. If you like the effect, there's plenty left
from the cutting of this particular thicket and I'm sure Gary wants it gone... So volunteer at TNC and
take home some logs!
Some rescues began the dune bed along the left side of the driveway. About 2 tons of sand was hauled
in to create the dune. The soil below is sandy loam that is influenced by Maple roots, so it is
very well drained. Additional plants were added from seed or purchase. The neighbors really thought I'd
lost my mind on this one. It has generated a lot of interest and conversations, and the neighborhood
seems very excited to watch it grow.
The below pictures are hyperlinked to larger pictures and text descriptions of what you're seeing. Feel
free to click on through the presentation with the "arrows", or play hit and miss from this index :)
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