1. What percentage of the plants in the pictures do you think came from Harlequin’s Gardens?
95%
2. Did you create this garden (you and your family) or did you have professional help? Describe briefly
Self
3. What is the age of this garden? What town or area? What elevation?
25 years old
4. What irrigation method(s) do you use and how often do you water and for how long?
Tried drip but hoses cracked in winter. Now watering by hand with water buckets , may use sprinkler as it gets hotter, though I try to avoid it. I like to water by hand because I can see how different parts of the garden and individual plants are doing
5. What is your soil like? Did you amend it? With what?
Clay, lots of soil amendments: compost, various types of manure, Soil Pep, sometimes liquid compost, slate pellets, Harlequin’s Soil Fertility Mix fertilizer, alfalfa, Mile Hi Rose food
6. How big is your garden and how often do you work in your garden?
30×30? Every day in spring, at least two hours a day, often more. In summer I sit back and enjoy, mostly
7. What has, or currently does, inspire you to garden and use sustainable practices?
Love the bees, butterflies and birds; love eating directly from the garden knowing there are no chemicals in the soil or on the plants and fruits. Everything looks and feels healthy
8. How do you deal with “weeds”? What is your approach to insect pests and disease?
Pull weeds. Put Japanese beetles in soapy water. Don’t get much disease. I remind myself that things will come back next year
9. Share a brief story about something you learned from your garden or plants, or inspiration received from gardening?
I receive inspiration every day walking out the door into the garden. Spring time, the rebirth of life is still a miracle to me. Seeing the roses and grapes and perennials return each spring gives me hope that We will survive, that our mother earth Is more resilient than we know. The beauty of the garden brings a sense of joy. I can spend hours looking at the changes, tending to each plant.
10. What is your experience growing plants from Harlequin’s Gardens.
Harkequins has made me a more knowledgeable gardener, and makes me feel that my garden is connected to a local habitat and a community of people who care about our earth. I learn each time I go to Harlequins , looking at the demonstration gardens, reading the informative plant and amendment signs, or talking to the knowledgeable staff. Mikl, especially, is very generous in sharing his wealth of knowledge
11. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us and/or our community?
Thank you for your contribution to our community and our land and gardens. Loved Mikl’s pruning class!
-Dana