Farewell to Joe!

Today we gathered together to comfort Barb and say farewell to her husband, Joe!  Joe passed away several days ago ending his struggle with cancer and heart disease.  

So many wonderful memories with these friends.  I turned to Facebook later today and found the below memory was, posted by a mutual friend,  recalling an event just six years ago!  A mixture of tears and smiles when I recalled that day!  I had made a digital scrap page to celebrate the friendship among gardener friends. 

Phase 2 of the Neighborhood Park Garden Bed Project

Saturday morning we joined forces with other volunteers to "dig" further into our project!

Three pollinator garden beds at our three neighborhood parks!

Lots of men with muscle and shovels showed up ready to make fast work of this project!  It was a treat to get acquainted with some new friends!  A rented sod cutter was a learning experience but it made a difficult challenging job so easy and fast!   Then off to the compost site with the sod and a return with finished compost to spread on the beds.  It took four round trips and one of the volunteers got a bonus of a free truck load of sod for their yard! Recycling at its best!

Denny joined us with our car and trailer ready to drive and haul stuff to and from the compost site.  He was just recovering from hernia repair surgery so was limited to being the driver with the trailer, which became a pretty important thing since we had only one truck owner show up to help also!  However, he found it difficult to "just stand and watch" others do the lifting, etc.

The next step was to till the compost into the beds and that completed the goal for the day!  Four hours later we had three 350 square foot garden beds ready for a cover of mulch!

Oops...no mulch delivered yet so that was the end of the day's work!  Signs were posted to advise park visitors of what was going on in those spots!

As soon as the mulch is delivered early next week, compliments of our Park and Recreation Department, we will schedule planting day and line up volunteers for that!   Soon I will be done babysitting 150 plus native plants I have collected for this project!

I am in the stripe shirt & Denny is the tall guy with light blue shirt!

This is the garden bed I am working on

This is the garden bed I am planting, it is in morning shade!

Succulents in the hosta bed!

Yep, imitation is the best form of flattery, right?

 Well, last year while I was visiting the Bond's, who are shade gardening friends, I found an adorable hanging basket of succulents hanging in a spot of sun in one of their hosta beds!   Yep, I found the right hanging pot of black wrought iron (similar to hers) and the right spot of sun on the edge of my major hosta bed.....and went shopping for the right succulents... and I got my own "succulents hanging out in my hosta bed!".  

Love it and can't wait to see the creeping succulent creep further over the edges!   It took me a year to get all the pieces together, but I did it!

Restoring and rejuvinating our neighborhood wecome sign...

70 years ago our neighborhood began with a subdivision named "Country Club Manor"!  I recall when the first demo homes opened up and the streets were in the process of being built.  The first demo homes were without basements (which is rare in MN.)  I recall they were basic three bedrooms and no garages!  Garages were extra and definitely separate structures.  Prices were about $13,000 and financing available for $500 down payment.

30 years ago we purchased our current home here, which was built in that early time period of this subdivision but has been remodeled with a two car garage attached and a small dining room and porch added behind the garage portion.  Our goal was to have this our last home as it is all on one level with a finished basement and we are still here.

Recently, the original "Welcome to Country Club Manor" sign was restored and I was asked to take on the responsibility to "head up" rejuvenating the planting of a 12 ft x 12 ft garden bed in front of it.  Well, how could I say no when it is only just around the corner from where we live and I knew a few neighbors who would be sure to help me!

So, yesterday the last batch of mulch was installed in the new bed!  It ended up being reduced to 10 Ft square with some brand new railroad ties enclosing it!  Thanks to donations of money for plants and plants, labor, compost, mulch and railroad ties it is done!  18 plants with 7 varieties will provide lots of  color and low maintenance care all summer.  Two other gardeners in this block have offered to help me keep it alive and blooming this year, at least.  Watering requires carrying water there!

It has been fun and rewarding so far and we are looking forward to see all the plants begin their bloom seasons!  I even planted a few sun flowers for fun!  I'll keep you posted with pictures as the flowers begin their show!  Currently the Coreopsis are smiling brightly!

Close Ups at Barb's Garden Beds

A bit of decoration for a cool spot to sit and rest or chat!

How's this for color companions!

Now a memorial plant for a long term friend....

This year our treasured dramatic peony is absolutely fantastic as it blooms reminding us of a dear friend who left us earlier this year having struggled with Parkinson's Disease for so many years.

Reggie shared this plant with us many years ago and from the size of it I think it is time to share ours with others soon!  His last years were spent on a feeding tube and not being  unable to clearly communicate with his voice but  he never complained or lost his sense of humor.  Our friendship spanned 47 years sharing so many wonderful times and several heart breaking times in both of our families lives.  

This beauty of this plant this year is assuring us he is now free of his body which was so challenging to cope with.

Another dear friend remembered.....

This striking iris reminds me of Bonnie, who always seems to have several to donate to our Garden Club Plant Sale! 

Yep, I just had to buy a pot of them one year and now have them three places in my garden beds!  It is such fun to think of Bonnie, with her smile and hugs always greeting you!  Actually, I find myself smiling every time I admire this plant all gardening season long!  It's Bonnie on my mind!

The lovely miniature home was also a purchase at one of our annual plant sales from our section of "Country Store Items", gently used garden accessories!  It is solar lit so the windows are lit up at night!  I need to be sure to park it in a sunny spot so it charges up during the daylight!

Iris Palida Verigata, the foliage is a eye catcher all summer!

And, the bonus is the flowers are that awesome grape fragrance!