1. What percentage of the plants in the pictures do you think came from Harlequin’s Gardens?
About a third, but I am still adding. I buy (dig) my irises locally at Longs Gardens.
2. Did you create this garden (you and your family) or did you have professional help? Describe briefly
We did it ourselves. The spirea and poppies were in place when we moved in, but we cut out a small spruce. We built up the area with rocks for erosion control; pumped up the soil; and did the rest of the planting. We maintain it 100% ourselves.
3. What is the age of this garden? What town or area? What elevation?
Six years down to one year–I have been planting it in sections. We are in eastern Boulder County.
4. What irrigation method(s) do you use and how often do you water and for how long?
Hand watering as needed. I wish I had a drip system!
5. What is your soil like? Did you amend it? With what?
Soil is dry but not much clay. We amended with store-bought soils, compost, and manure and we continue to add compost and mulch. I wish I had done more at the beginning to improve the soil (new gardeners, don’t make this mistake).
6. How big is your garden and how often do you work in your garden?
10 feet wide by 30 feet across. I am in it at least an hour a day in the spring, less in the summer.
7. What has, or currently does, inspire you to garden and use sustainable practices?
I want bees, birds, and other living creatures to thrive in the garden and the rest of the yard.
8. How do you deal with “weeds”? What is your approach to insect pests and disease?
I love to pull weeds! I spray roses with a homemade mixture of diluted Dr. Bronner peppermint soap if bugs are getting at them, but I have more confidence in my regular feedings of Mile High Rose Food (from Harlequin’s) to give the roses resistance to disease and bugs.
9. Share a brief story about something you learned from your garden or plants, or inspiration received from gardening?
The garden constantly provides metaphors for life in general. Just this week I was noticing the “sprawl and order” in the garden–how some plants are naturally upstanding while others have no boundaries. You can see where I am going with this . . .
10. What is your experience growing plants from Harlequin’s Gardens.
I typically buy plants at Harlequins in the smallest sizes and they always come in strong and healthy. And I would never go anywhere else for roses (my roses are in a different part of the garden not shown in the photos, but I favor hardy native shrub roses).