July 14: Art in Bloom was AWESOME! Perfect weather and fantastic crowd. Last weekend, Cascade Community Theatre performed a modified Shakespeare on Sat Night and Sun afternoon, and again the weather proved most cooperative. We are having a couple of private parties this weekend, and expect the plants and weather to hold up nicely. We did lose a large branch from a maple to kids playing a month ago, and a small Japanese maple damaged for the sake of the "theatre", but folks are pretty much taking care of things. The roses have gotten ahead of the deer, so blooms are looking good. The newest garden is doing well, though blackberries are trying to re-establish with submerged roots. The ponds won't hold their level, though. After record depths this past spring, they have quickly assumed their summertime levels (low). Wish I could trust them to put fish in them. Maybe liners........

 

 

June 15: Loved the persistant rain we have had here this spring. Latest garden has taken shape, flowers are starting to pop all over garden, and I think I actually pruned the grapes correctly. Firepit needed some repair-make sure rocks are dry before building big fire (otherwise deal with splitting stones).

 

 

May 3: Wow! Spring is just jumping at the Gardens! We are completing our newest section of the Garden called "The Compass Garden". Also, alot of work is in progress on the Bog Garden, with water features and new plants. The constant rain has been tough on our lawn area for the stage, but should be in great shape for the summer. We will also have our newly refurbished Gazebo ready for use. This year will also be our first year offering garden art for sale. We will be providing this art through consignment sales with local artists, many of whom will be at Art in Bloom (end of June) this year.

 

 

March 5: Getting excited for Spring! The weather has been outstanding, and we have have a great start to preparing two new gardens. We are preparing/repairing the central ponds, adding water features and plants, including a Gunnera manicata (dinosaur plant). In a couple of years we should have 4 ft wide leaves on this plant! The other garden is a strolling/sitting garden, offering places to sit and enjoy the view from different points of the compass. The lawn by the stage took a beating this winter (lots of water) so I am trying to design some alterations to better protect it in the winter. Everything is blooming ahead of schedule due to our warm winter, and I hope the floral show lasts into summer. On tap for this summer: more roses, 5th Annual "Art in Bloom", and maybe more Shakespeare in August. Stay tuned! 

Feb 5: This year is starting out much differently from last. In Feb 2009, the snow was melting from the 30 inches of accumulation to reveal the damages. Garden structures toppled, plants and trees broken and crushed, and the dawning realization of the amount of work needed to get the Gardens up and running by June. Flash one year forward, and we find The Gardens in the best shape ever, although I never thought I would get to the point where fresh-sawn cedar would ellicit a negative response in my head. Plants are coming up quick this year, with all the nice weather. Getting started on the roses this week. Sue's Grandma Schnebele always did her roses on President's Day, and always had great roses. Never know where the good advice will come from, so I try to keep an ear open to everyone.