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GardenNews.biz – Dec 11,2012 – Antiques Garden Fair Features Interior Designer Michael S. Smith
Event Date:
Thursday, April 18, 2013 – Sunday, April 21, 2013
GLENCOE, Ill. –The Antiques Garden Fair returns for the 13th year to the spring-blooming grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden on Friday, April 19, 2013, through Sunday, April 21, 2013, with a special preview evening on Thursday, April 18, 2013. More than 100 dealers from Europe and the United States scour the globe for months to find the best in antique garden furnishings, botanical art and home and garden design to sell during the Fair. Indoor display gardens will interpret the theme “Color in the Garden: An Artist’s View,” and will be donated and installed by premier landscape designers including Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc., William Heffernan Landscapes, Mariani Landscape, The Organic Gardener, Maria Smithburg with Manfredini Landscaping Design and more.
Michael S. Smith, one of the most original and respected talents in the design industry today, will be the Fair’s honorary chair and guest lecturer. Smith’s style is a seamless blend of European classicism and American modernism. It is always fresh, always evolving and always underscored by the belief that everyone should live with things they love. In 2010, Smith was appointed by President Obama to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. The lecture is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, April 19.
The second guest lecturer will be Charles Stick, a renowned Virginia landscape designer who grew up in Western Springs, Illinois. One of the country’s leading classicists, Stick was highly influenced by Dan Kiley to go into landscape architecture, and formed his philosophy of design at the University of Virginia. As quoted in a recent profile in Garden Gun, Stick said that, “in my mind, beauty has very little to do with fashion. Fashion is transient. Beauty has more to do with an understanding of history.” The lecture is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20.
Tickets purchased on or before April 18 for either the Smith or Stick lecture are $65 ($60 in advance for Garden members); after April 18, they are each $70 ($65 for Garden members). A combination ticket for the Smith and Stick lectures is available for $105 ($100 for Garden members). The lecture ticket purchase includes a three-day Fair pass.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 21, Jeanne Pinsof Nolan from The Organic Gardener will speak. Nolan, a well-known educator, author and consultant, has helped hundreds of families develop gardens that are beautiful, productive and uniquely suited to their homes and lifestyles. Tickets purchased for Nolan’s lecture on or before April 18 are $30 ($25 in advance for Garden members); after April 18 they are $35 ($30 for Garden members). The lecture ticket purchase includes a one-day Fair ticket for Sunday.
Shoppers on the hunt for classical and contemporary furnishings, botanical art and jewelry will find a variety of treasures in every price range. Staged in the Regenstein Center with tents over the Esplanade,
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Local residents and businesses are being encouraged to have their say on improvement plans for Babbacombe Downs, Torquay at a consultation event being held next week (Monday 17 December).
The Babbacombe Downs area, with its stunning views, is one of the jewels in Torbay’s crown. Torbay Council has been working in partnership with contractors Glendale Managed Services, who have a grounds maintenance contract for the Downs, to come up with some initial ideas for upgrading the landscaping and are now keen to hear from residents and businesses.
Babbacombe
The overall plan is to improve the existing longstanding features of the Downs over the next three to five years and to provide a much needed visual boost for all to enjoy.
Due to their location on the slope, the flower beds are less visible than previous years and the hedging borders are becoming sparse. The council’s initial proposals are to improve the beds so they are more visible and to replace the hedging.
The sea view has become obstructed in certain areas and therefore some vegetation may be cut back and/or removed to reveal the existing shrubbery planting and to provide additional planting. The signage is to be improved at entrance points, the tourist boards are to be moved to more appropriate locations as are the bins which will be improved to help with the high levels of use.
The introduction of softwood timber edging to the path in some areas would replace the existing rocks which are often climbed over. Finally the repair and repainting of railings, bollards and lampposts will lend to the overall enhancement of this stunning location.
Executive Lead for Tourism and Environment, Cllr Jeanette Richards, said: “There are very few areas across the country that have the view and ambience of Babbacombe Downs and we want to ensure that they look their best and meet the needs of those visiting the area.
“Many of the ideas are based on investing to save and will not only provide improvements for the area but will make future management easier and in turn reduce costs. The improvement of flower beds should mean that additional costs for reinstating these would not be required every year however we are not looking to reduce the overall planting within this scheme. The replacement of the existing bins will also ensure that litter on busy days and event days does not become an issue in the future.”
The consultation event will be held at the The Downs Hotel, Babbacombe on Monday 17 December. Officers will be on hand to discuss the plans from 10am until 12pm and 4pm until 7pm.
Kate and Ed Woods, of The Downs Hotel, said: “We are delighted that after several years of liaising with the council regarding the maintenance of the Downs and surrounding area that we can be a part of the consultation process for regeneration and look forward to a comprehensive regeneration project.
“As the local business community have invested heavily in their properties it is fantastic news that the Downs have been recognised as an area of importance and we are very encouraged with the initial suggestions that the council has provided so far. We look forward to an ongoing programme of improvements and maintenance, which will benefit not only the local community, but make the area more attractive to holiday makers and day visitors which will bring much needed income into the Bay.”
Wilmette park commissioners this week defended their process to create a long-term lakefront master plan against resident complaints that the proposed options didn’t have cost estimates.
“How can you make a valid decision or have an opinion on any of this without looking at the cost?” asked resident Tom Scanlan.
Wilmette Park District commissioners hosted a public hearing on Monday to receive feedback on alternative project concepts for both its lakefront parks, created by consultant SmithGroupJJR. It was the third of three opportunities for residents to voice their opinion.
A recurring theme was that residents couldn’t properly weigh the concepts — which ranged from low-impact landscaping and traffic circulation ideas, to major changes, such as a new beach, a parking deck with a green roof or a reconstructed jetty for fishermen.
Park Board President James Brault defended the process, which was designed to incorporate public input before final alternatives are presented for consideration, likely in the spring.
“The board made a very conscious decision to ask for public input first,” Brault said. “And then we will be able to put our arms around what this could potentially cost. And so we share, in part, your frustration that we don’t know what it will cost either, because we don’t know exactly what folks want to include.”
Other residents acknowledged necessary project components, such as the need to bring certain facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as other safety and accessibility concerns. They asked for a cost estimate on those required projects in order to balance against the more ambitious concepts.
Others pointed out the inclusion of a beach fence at Gillson Park — intended to protect the sandy dunes — and referred angrily to a grassroots effort earlier this year that resulted in the rejection of a different beach fence proposal aimed at addressing safety issues and overcrowding at the south beach.
“I’m astounded that you would dare to bring the fence to us again,” said resident Howard Sandroff. “It seems like we already played that game.”
Brault tried to tamp down the emotions on the issue.
“There is no groundswell to relive our fence discussion from last March,” he said. “We are all very aware of what happened.”
Other residents brought more specific comments to the board. Peter Baugher, who lives adjacent to Langdon Park, said it’s a “quiet, mostly passive-use park” and asked for the board to keep it that way.
He supported minimal upgrades like installing more benches, improving the access road to the beach, and replacing the playground equipment, but said an enhanced vehicle drop-off area would be unnecessary, as would stairs or an elevator to the beach.
Resident Barb Clayton said Langdon Park should be left largely alone, but urged the consideration of turning Gillson Park’s Lakeview Center into “a really swank facility.”
“In my own mind, I’m envisioning a three-story building that has a cool, round view of the lakefront and a second floor where you can put all the summer camp programs,” as well as a restaurant and coffee shop, Clayton said.
Jay Heidekat, a Gillson Park summer day camp counselor and Wilmette resident, requested the board retain the existing playground equipment, which he said was unique and well-liked among children. He also argued against removing the sand volleyball court from the grass area.
“I’d say, if anything, put in a basketball hoop,” Heidekat said.
SmithGroupJJR was directed to synthesize the public’s feedback and return in the spring with more focused options, which will also include cost estimates, for more deliberation.
jhuston@tribune.com
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
By PAUL COLLINS – Bulletin Staff Writer
Teresa Davis, a biology teacher at Martinsville High School, was recognized at the city school board meeting Monday night for having achieved National Board Certification, and in a separate matter, some of her students presented a case for why MHS should have a greenhouse.
School division officials and Davis said obtaining National Board Certification is a rigorous process and only a fraction of teachers make it the first year they try. Davis said the process took more than a year; it was more difficult than her master’s degree work; and she worked on it about every chance she had, including nights, weekends and holidays. But she indicated she found the process valuable. “It makes you critique yourself,” she said. According to the website of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, candidates for National Board Certification complete 10 assessments that are reviewed by trained teachers in their certificate areas. The assessments include four portfolio entries that feature teaching practice and six “constructed response exercises” (or tests) that assess content knowledge. Davis said her National Board Certification is in the area of adolescence and young adulthood science. Certification is valid for 10 years, and the renewal process begins during the eighth year, according to Davis and the website. On the separate matter, several of Davis’ Advanced Placement Biology students summarized the findings of a project in which Davis assigned them to make their case to the school board about why a greenhouse is needed at Martinsville High School, including how students would use the greenhouse, how the school and community would benefit, and how the greenhouse would be sustained. In addition, the students were asked to propose landscaping in front of MHS in connection with renovations now under way. What was presented to the school board was a compilation of the students’ many ideas. They include: • How students would use the greenhouse: for more AP courses and electives, to enhance plant labs, to increase hands-on experiences, to emphasize college majors in science and explore career paths. • How the school and community would benefit: promote healthier lifestyles with vegetables students would grow; community service hours for students; provide horticultural and agricultural experiences for students; healthier menu choices at school; and food donations to food banks. • How to sustain the greenhouse: students would volunteer to help clean it; solar energy would help keep energy costs down; workshops in which, for a fee, students would teach younger children some fundamentals about growing plants; growing and selling carnations and prom flowers; selling foods that students grow; having a seasonal pumpkin patch, in which gourds and pumpkins would be grown and sold. They also presented a plan for landscaping in connection with MHS renovations. They would choose plants that, among other things, are native to the area, perennials for less maintenance, flowers that bloom mostly during the school year and flowers that are full sun because the school faces near south so there is rarely shade. School board members and Schools Superintendent Pam Heath praised the students. Heath said she had met with Davis’ students previously and their emphases included growing organic food, doing community service, school and community pride and betterment of the community. Heath said the architect for a MHS renovation project said he will be happy to meet with the students’ about their landscaping ideas. Some school board members asked how much a greenhouse would cost and where funding would come from. That has not been determined. In another matter, Travis Clemons, the school division’s executive director of finance and development, gave this update on the renovation project at MHS: • Roofing is 100 percent complete on several buildings. • On Building G, which contains science labs, plumbing is 80 percent complete, and duct work, electrical work and masonry work are 95 percent complete. • On the addition to Building G, the foundation is 75 percent complete and workers are installing some utilities. • In the mechanical room, chiller condenser pumps are in. In other business, the school board: • Approved a teacher evaluation model. Part of the evaluation will be based on growth in student achievement. • Heath announced that two Patrick Henry Elementary students will compete in the 4-H public speaking finals Jan. 10 at the Henry County Administration Building. They are Finley Underwood and Journey Sunkins. • Rebecca Crabtree and Ann Hundley gave a report about a project called “Dyeing to Learn,” in which special education classes at MHS and Martinsville Middle School hand-dyed colorful silk scarves. Crabtree is a local volunteer who works each week with Hundley’s MHS special education class. The project gave special education students an outlet for their creativity, and they learned about business and practiced independent living skills such as following directions, communication, math, color coordination and dexterity. They also gained household skills, such as ironing and washing fabric. Crabtree and Hundley were accompanied at the board meeting by several students. Proceeds from the sale of the scarves will benefit the special education program, possibly for such things as supplies and a wheelchair lift. • School board members and Heath commented on some things they gleaned from the Virginia School Boards Association Annual Convention. For instance, Bill Manning, chairman of the Martinsville School Board, said utilizing innovative technology is critical. “I think we are on the right track in Martinsville City Public Schools (MCPS).” • Heath announced the date of the MCPS Endowment gala fundraiser has been changed to May 4. The event will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Heath said she wasn’t sure if the location had been finalized. • Heath said MCPS is one of six school divisions that will receive funding from a $2.7 million grant from Virginia Advanced Study Strategies (VASS). According to its website, the mission of VASS is to encourage high school students to prepare for careers in math and science by enrolling in challenging Advanced Placement classes. Heath said she does not yet know how much MCPS’ share will be. • Readopted the current school board policies subject to review. • Made these appointments: — One teacher: Robert Divers, math teacher at the middle school. — Six coaches: Bonnie Wilson, co-head basketball cheerleading at the high school; Brian Chitwood, assistant coach of varsity boys baseball at the high school; Amanda Gray, assistant coach for varsity girls soccer at the high school; Erika Nicholas, head coach for varsity girls softball at the high school; Nathaniel Hairston Jr., head coach for middle school wrestling; and Robert Divers, head coach of middle school boys baseball. — Special Education Parent Advisory Committee: Melody Cartwright, Cherie Craig, Annie Via, Orfilda Mata Duarte, Chris and Diane Potter, Darren and Caren Aaron; representing the school division, Jeanne Westphalen; representing Piedmont Community Services, Greg Preston and Lynne Smith.USDA partnered with The Washington Capitals to bring a People’s Garden to Powell Elementary School in Washington, DC almost 2 years ago. The process began with a garden design session so parents, teachers and students from every grade could put their ideas on paper. Hundreds of ideas were collected – from dinosaurs to avocado trees – for USDA landscape architects to sort through. The People’s Garden team and the Caps returned about a month later to reveal a concept plan that included a habitat garden and food garden. With the help of hundreds of volunteers from USDA’s People’s Garden, The Washington Capitals and the local community, both of these gardens have been brought to life.
The Habitat Garden was built first in the only area of the playground not covered in asphalt. The ground was very compact making the project a challenge for anyone trying to do this, but more so, on a very hot summer day. We got it done and the students now have an outdoor classroom to stomp through and explore. (This video shows a time-lapse of the amazing transformation.)
Over the last year, USDA landscape architect Bob Snieckus and myself have been thinking about designing and building a food garden at Powell that met their needs. The students would be growing vegetables that must have at least 6 hours of full sun to grow and thrive. The soil needed to be healthy to ensure the production of safe, nutritious food and with good structure and drainage. You don’t want your plants drying out too quickly or sitting in standing water.
The green space where the habitat garden was built was not ideal for the food garden because of its size and limited sun exposure. Building the food garden on asphalt was our option. In this process, we learned that it was very important that the garden be mobile so it could be moved to another corner of the playground because of future expansion plans.
Bob and I built a ‘Mobile Planter’ at Powell that met all of their needs, was fun for the older students to build, and produced enough food per planter for each class to make a decent sized salad. If you know a school with limited green space that’s looking for a flexible way to grow food or other types of plants, building this garden on wheels could be the practical solution. Check out the instructional video below to learn how to build one of your own.
Receive regular updates about this projects progress by following us on Twitter @PeoplesGarden. Are you growing a People’s Garden in your community? Register your garden with us so your efforts can be recognized along with others across the Nation.
The drive for surroundings that enhance the daily lives and mental well-being of adults diagnosed with dementia is leading to more and more care and nursing home owners employing the expertise of Sensory Garden designers, as providers seek to enhance the aesthetic qualities of their facility. However, experts advise that there are many complications and pitfalls involved in achieving such a transformation.
Increasing numbers of people diagnosed with conditions like Alzheimer’s will ensure that dementia remains one of the key concerns of the care home industry for decades to come. Government initiatives, including the Prime Minister’s ‘Dementia Challenge’ launched at the beginning of 2012, are based on projections that estimate there to be 800,000 people in the UK with dementia, while an ageing demographic will ensure this number will double over the next 30 years.
In facing up to these unprecedented challenges, dementia charities call for the sector not to restrict its outlook to the practice of care itself. Chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, Jeremy Hughes, is among those looking for the UK to become “a world leader in dementia”, through achieving a “radical shift in the way we talk, think and act on dementia to help transform lives”.
Maintaining a Sensory Garden is one way in which providers can extend their dementia care vision and further help adults with memory loss to live a more active and stimulating lifestyle – itself a recognised approach to combating the effects of declining cognitive ability.
Kick-starting the Sensory Gardens movement has this year become the target of a ‘Planting Memories’ initiative, launched by Torquay-based dementia campaigner Norman McNamara (who is also diagnosed with early onset) with the support of the Lewy Body Society. The aim of Planting Memories is to see all UK towns and cities offer Sensory Gardens for those diagnosed with dementia to visit and use at their leisure, as a way of reaching out to dementia sufferers who might otherwise become isolated in their community.
Some local authorities have also taken up their own mission to lead the way in supporting adults with dementia, such as York, Newcastle and Motherwell, which are all attempting to become the UK’s first dementia-friendly cities – but care homes do not have to wait for national or local initiatives in order to lead the way themselves.
The recent New Homes Garden Awards has already recognised the innovative approach of design experts like Dementia Sensory Gardens, whose project undertaken at Nightingale Care, in Wandsworth, was successful in picking up two awards for Best Sensory/Memory Garden and also Best Development for 2012, while Anisha Grange, in Billericay, received a Gold award for Best Care Home. Parent company Tim Lynch Associates were themselves recognised as Landscape Architects of the Year for Care, largely due to their work with clients who have recognised the benefits of Sensory Gardens.
Dementia Sensory Gardens owner Tim Lynch is thrilled to see the rise in demand and enthusiasm for the Sensory Garden, but points out that there are many factors to take on board if care home owners want to make the most of their investment. According to Mr Lynch, the sensory qualities of garden developments make up only “one small factor of each garden’s design aspects”, and points out that a successful design must include an appreciation of technical aspects that are not merely related to touch and smell.
“Key questions designers have to consider include self-mapping, i.e. can I get out?, can I self organise?, do I feel safe? and can I recognise the door to get back in? Gardens must also be designed so they are good for the operations of staff and good for families when visiting.
“Care home owners are advised to seek technical assistance and advice to make sure they make the most of the time and money taken in the redevelopment of garden areas, for example many might not be aware that glass panel doors are no good for residents with cognitive issues.”
The Erskine Park Home, in Renfrewshire, which offers care packages for war veterans, is one accommodation where the benefits of a Sensory Garden have been felt by both residents and care staff.
Home manager Kay Lorimer describes some of them, saying: “The welfare and well-being of our veterans is of paramount importance and we are delighted that dementia residents have the opportunity to enjoy the specifically-designed and safe environment of the sensory garden.
“It provides a therapeutic environment for our residents to address some of the challenges associated with dementia, namely the loss of memory, independence, initiative and the ability to participate in social activities.
“As mental functions decline, our residents function more on a sensory level, therefore the redeveloped sensory gardens give them the opportunity to hear and experience sounds and smells of the garden through water features and plants, as well as enabling those who are able to become actively involved in gardening.
“Dementia requires stimulation of activity, which can come in many forms. The physical action of gardening is suitable for many sufferers, whilst other residents like to sit and relax in the garden in a passive manner.
“Split into four sections, the garden features many different aspects laid out in a format that is easy to understand with key areas and mapping points that can be easily remembered such as seats, shady locations and simple walkways. There are also water features and potting sheds which can be enjoyed by our residents all year round.”
Another example is Grimsby’s Yarborough House Residential Care Home, whose sensory garden has helped them to win the Grimsby In Bloom competition for the last five years.
Manager Marion Bourn comments: “The benefits to our service users and community members are entirely understated. To see our residents enjoy the garden, from the smells and textures to planting seeds and following to fruition, can bring a smile to the sternest among us.
“During the summer months, residents enjoy sitting outside with family and friends or simply tending to their projects in the garden. Raised planting beds allow people of all abilities (we don’t call them disabilities), to sow the seeds of their choice.
“This year a number of residents made a small vegetable patch, which was hugely successful. With an abundance of rhubarb, tomatoes, and much more, the kitchen was spoilt for choice with fresh produce. The discreet addition of wind chimes, gives that soothing sound in the wind.
“The idea of the sensory garden is to stimulate and tantalise every sense. There should be a variety of sights, smells, textures and even tastes. We have incorporated each of these themes into the garden. Non-toxic plants ensure that those who are tempted by the gorgeous blooming flowers are not harmed should they wish to taste. It should be an atmosphere of serenity that provides an escape with opportunity for stimulation away from the norm.
“For those rainy days, services users are able to sit in the sensory room, which looks onto the garden, with an opportunity to still enjoy the colours and sights, while discreetly keeping a check on their little patch of pride.”
Enhancing care environments to suit people with dementia is one of the key objectives behind £50m of funding announced last month by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Local authorities and NHS services will bid for a share of this funding, with successful bidders urged to make the most of expert research and guidance in order to ensure that projects achieve their full potential.
To learn more about the Planting Memories campaign see: www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1557529/torquays-warberries-nursing-home-embraces-planting-memories-campaign
City fixes water shortage by removing lawns
Natural Resource News Note:
Los Angeles is removing residents’ lawns and installing water-efficient gardens in an attempt to conserve water. At the residents’ request, the city will send a crew to dig up the grass and replace it with mulch and native CA plants—all at no cost to the homeowners. The pilot program is funded by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which pays about $500 for each relandscaped yard.
LA residents Tim and Kelley Reischauer had their lawn removed. “The kids were kind of bummed,” Mr. Reischauer told the Wall Street Journal. But “most of the neighbors are very complimentary.”
LA’s program is one of several aimed at changing people’s ideas about how a front yard should look. Lush green lawns are hard for many people to part with. Some homeowners associations have strict landscaping requirements that contribute to the problem.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority has banned grass lawns entirely. In San Antonio, Texas, the watering restrictions are aggressively enforced by “water police.”
Nationwide, landscape watering accounts for about 57% of all residential water use. According to a report prepared by ConSol, CA has the 15th highest per capita public water consumption in the country. A 2009 state law requires all water suppliers to reduce water consumption per capita 20% by 2020.
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A local landscaper has created initial plans for a memorial park, to be built honoring Norton’s fallen soldiers, which selectmen reviewed on Dec. 6.
Stephen Amort, who owns Lee Amort Associates in Norton, stepped up to volunteer his time and created the blueprints for the memorial. He has worked over 40 years in the landscaping industry, once as a sub-contractor for Harvard University in Cambridge.
Born and raised in Boston, Amort has lived in Norton since 1989 and served in the United States Army from 1966 through 1972. He is a Vietnam Veteran.
“I’m very honored to do this,” Amort said of helping out.
He was recommended by one of his customers to the Gold Star Committee.
The committee was formed to install a park honoring Master Sgt. Gregory R. Trent, 38, of Norton who died Aug. 8 in Bethesda, Md., from wounds suffered July 31 in Baktabad, Afghanistan.
After discussion, it was decided that the memorial would be for all military men and women who have served from Norton as well as Trent.
The new park will be located on West Main Street near CVS and the National Grid substation. It will sit 60 to 100 feet back from the main road, said selectmen Vice Chairman Robert Kimball who also serves on the Norton Gold Star Committee.
“I took a look at the plot and was given ideas as far as what they wanted to accomplish,” Amort said.
He came up with a manicured layout that includes a flagpole, benches, trees and bushes where citizens can come and reflect. A focal point will be a specific memorial for Trent who inspired the park.
“I’m very proud to be able to do this,” Amort said.
Kimball said the committee hopes to have the memorial fully completed by next Memorial Day, May 2013.
“We have a great group of people trying to make it happen,” Kimball said.
Last week selectmen approved the establishment of the Norton Gold Star Gift Account, in order to collect donations that will go towards the design, construction and maintenance of the park.
Donations can be made out to “Norton Gold Star Gift Account” and mailed to Norton Town Hall, 70 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766.
“We’re very excited about getting this project started and hope to be done by springtime,” Kimball said.
The paved bricks form a walking border around the garden.
The paths meet in the center where they form a reading circle for students and teachers.
Kelley said the paths make the garden more accessible, especially for people with diabilities.
The garden got its first boost at the end of summer in 2011 when organizers were awarded a $4,000 grant from Kane County’s Fit Kids program.
That money was used to buy 15 fruit trees which are still growing and taking root.
Kelley said fruit was beginning to grow this summer and students made smoothies with the fruits that are represented in the orchards.
Last year, the garden produced 170 pumpkins and gourd which were then sold during a fundraising event called the Pumpkin Festival.
This year, Kelley said a squash bug infestation completely decimated the garden’s pumpkin crop.
In addition, the drought made growing other crops very difficult.
“We lost crops early, but then we watered like crazy,” Kelley said.
She said the corn still grew fine.
By contrast, farmers in the Midwest this year reported that growing corn was extremely difficult because of the drought but they had a bumper crop of pumpkins.
Kelley said organizers were still able to host the Pumpkin Festival using pumpkins bought outside the garden.
In addition, organizers also raised money through the Wine, Cheese and Trees fundraiser.
Proceeds were split with the city’s committee that’s dedicate to repopulating the community’s tree canopy after the recent emerald ash borer infestation.
On that committee is Geneva resident Jay Womack, of WRD Environmental, who also designed the Edible Schoolyard at WAS.
Ron Zeman, principal at WAS, said the future path of the garden is still being decided by the school community but there are a few ideas.
Although most of the growing season is in the summer when students are out of school, Zeman said there are root vegetables that grow during the fall that have short harvest times.
He said gardening can be incorporated into the students’ curriculum teaching how photosynthesis and chlorophyll work.
Zeman said he was skeptical of the garden concept when Jen Kelley first brought it to him because of the scope of the project and potential costs.
