Thanks to Steve and his little worms at Good Sweet Earth, my lawn and flower beds have never looked better! It is the third summer, and in addition to his spraying organic worm ‘tea’ on… More
Change your garden, change your soul
Have you ever noticed that when you go for a walk in the woods or spend time in nature that you automatically take deeper breaths and feel more grounded? We seem to be able to ‘let go’ when we are out of our normal environment and just take in all that wonder around us.
If we can make some changes to our own yard that draws from that same energy, wouldn’t it be great to walk outside and feel a similar vibe?
Consider the things that you could incorporate to achieve this:
- Sounds of nature
- Plants and features like bird baths and feeders to attract birds
- Scents
- Fragrant plants to provide backyard aromatherapy
- Beauty
- Colors that create a palette that is soothing to the eye
- Unusual flowers or plants that make you go “wow!”.
If you would like to make some changes in your yard next Spring, NOW is the time to plan! If you are going to remove areas of lawn to make a garden, you can do it with no chemicals if you plan ahead.
Scheduling now for consultations and small projects (design only) in the Holland area.
Email: flowercoach1@gmail.com or call 616-283-3700
Fundraiser for Community Action House
Check out my facebook page: flowercoachholland
Two week offer for first 25 people who donate– details on facebook!
Change your thinking
Spring appointments booking now! Call 616-283-3700.
Alternative De-Icers for winter
#cleanwater #westmichigan #hollandmi #greatlakes #winter
All I can say is WOW!
The strip between driveways has been a show stopper on my street this summer! I am so happy that the plants are thriving and it has created a bouquet of wonderful fragrance and beauty for many to enjoy. #flowercoachholland
#sustainable gardening
#hollandinbloom
#waterconservation
#droughttolerantplants
My little garden shed
In 2014 I started collecting old wood from torn down fences. I said it would be a project when I retired…and what a project it turned out to be!
Rotten wood around door needed to be replaced– Dave and Mike, my carpenter guys, took the door off the track and rebuilt the whole thing and also replaced the two windows which were rotten! The roof was really bad, and when the roofer came they discovered active carpenter ants and a lot of rotten wood. So, the pest guy came and sprayed around all my buildings, the roof was redone, and the siding guy covered all the bare wood–so the only thing left uncovered is the door, which is the coolest feature of the shed. It slides around to open up completely! I started my ‘paneling’ work, but soon found out I needed to get help, so I had another guy help with that. A little organizing, cleaning and voila!
bad roof and window
shed when I moved in 2011
Dave hard and work
Mike too
Second year creep…
East side of house by driveway…sprinkles of baby’s breath really make the garden sparkle! Lamium surrounds small dwarf lilac in the back, other perennials are beginning to grow.
Colorful ‘Georgia Peach’ Heuchera with grape hyacinth, creeping jenny, corydalis, hostas.
How same area looked right after spring clean up!
WOW this is the middle area I just planted last year! Euphorbia in foreground with allium (not blooming yet) and some lavender…lots of ground cover sedums.
Time for a change
My project this spring!!
With great sadness, I had to have a huge diseased maple tree taken down. This left a thin strip between driveways (70′ x 8 1/2′ w). With some outside help, I had the sod removed and grade lowered a bit, as the water was always collecting on my driveway in large pools. My goal is to have water (rain) run-off go into the garden. Next step is getting in some soil and pea pebbles to make it well drained for the drought tolerant plants that will be making their home there. Stay tuned!
Pollinator Garden in the making
My project this spring is to convert an area that was lawn to an area filled with native and drought tolerant plants.
With great sadness, I had to have a huge maple tree taken down. This left a thin strip between driveways (70′ L x 8 1/2′ w).
Last year before tree removal
After tree removal
This strip was always difficult to water as I have no irrigation system, and I had been wanting to convert more grass to other plant materials to benefit wildlife. I had the sod removed and grade lowered, so water (rain) run-off will go into the garden instead of the storm drain.
The next step is adding some soil and pea pebbles to make it well drained for the drought tolerant plants that will be making their home there. Stay tuned!
#wildlifegardens #nativeplants #convertinglawn #pollinatorgarden #butterflygarden #droughttolerant #perennials
Weeds we love to hate
Common chickweed (winter annual)
Watch out for weeds in your garden right now that will go to seed and make your life miserable in the spring! MSU has a great resource for us, here is the link!
And please REMEMBER, regular vinegar will kill a lot of these, so if spray a couple times before they get to the seed stage, you can keep them at bay. Of course, hand-pulling is a great option!
FlowerCoach 