In its eighth year, the West Salem Garden Tour will be held Saturday.

The neighborhood constantly moves into new territory while honoring its deep historical roots. Fueled by an influx of young professionals, West Salem’s tour remains the area’s most creative and handmade garden tour. You won’t find landscapers spreading mulch before the tour in this neighborhood. The gardens are a product of their owners’ fertile imaginations and creative responses to the land they live on.

The end product is a tour full of ideas. You’re sure to go home with your creative fuels fired.

Diversity is king in West Salem, and the tour encompasses everything from community gardens to permaculture and edible landscaping with a healthy helping of what the area is best known for: cottage gardens.

Eighteen gardens are on the tour, according to Apryl Roland, who served as my unofficial, pre-tour guide. Roland’s garden is on the tour. Five of the gardens are community gardens. Old Salem is opening the historic Miksch Garden in an attempt to cover the wide expanse of gardening history in the community.

We visited Judith Ruff’s extensive backyard garden filled with heirloom plants and classic garden ornaments. Ruff said there was essentially a blank slate when she started. Ruff’s garden hit on some of the themes that reverberate throughout the neighborhood, a common one being recycling and repurposing. Bricks in Ruff’s garden came from the resurfacing of West Street, Ruff said. Roland said her bricks came from the demolition of the Coke bottling plant.

We cruised past Jeff Ayers’ extensive and beautiful vegetable garden, one you may have noticed if you travel Broad Street. It will be open for the tour.

So will the West Salem Community Garden. That’s where we met Greg Levoniuk, the garden’s coordinator, and Del Perry, who started it all. They were among the squash, beans and tomatoes.

This garden has been on the tour several times, but this year it has expanded to neat, terraced beds and rows of orderly staked plants. The garden is divided into plots cared for by individuals and those tended by a team of about 15.

The wonderful thing about this garden is that the food is bundled into bags and placed at the top of the garden, free for the taking.

Last year, according to Perry, they gave away 696 bags of mixed vegetables, a wonderful resource for those in need. In addition, 95 percent of the food raised in the personal plots is given away, too. Seeds and supplies for the community garden are paid for by the West Salem Garden Club and the West Salem Neighborhood Association. This year, they are hoping to top 1,000 bags since the garden has expanded from 1,600 square feet to 5,700. The odds are good that they’ll hit their goal.

On to the edible landscape of Josh Sutter. He rented a sod cutter a few years back and took out his front yard. He replaced it with strawberries and mixed-seasonal vegetables.

“Originally, there were a lot of wild strawberries and wild onions so I planted strawberries and onions,” Sutter said. “I figured they’d do well here.”

He figured right. Sutter picked 17 gallons of berries from his front yard this spring, and plenty more went to others who asked if they could join in the bounty.

Sutter has 95 percent of his landscape dedicated to edibles and herbs, using companion planting and permaculture principles. He will be setting up a hydroponic system in his backyard to demonstrate the efficiency of growing plants without soil. Sutter will also be giving away strawberry plants while they last.

As the evening darkened, we visited the home and garden of Mary Margaret and Jack Smith. This garden sprang from personal crisis and has served as an oasis to these transplants from the West End. Mary Margaret broke both her legs after falling down a set of porch stairs. She had just recovered from hip surgery when this happened. She spent three and a half months in a wheelchair and was then diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer.

As she recovered, she designed a garden and Jack made it happen. It is a restful spot full of shade and cool-blue hydrangeas and plants that have been gathered and passed on, divided and shared with friends. It is punctuated with very fine statuary and bird baths and serves as a sanctuary and respite, a place to nurture and heal a battered, but not broken spirit.

West Salem Neighborhood Association won the 2012 Community Appearance Commission Award for its collaborative effort to enhance the community through a tree-planting event. Called the West Salem Tree Project, the effort covered two plantings in October, a collaborative effort between the city and the neighborhood association. The association raised $10,000 to help fund the planting, including a $2,500 contribution from the West Salem Garden Club.

Wheaton, IL, June 07, 2012 –(PR.com)– Two unique gardens by Bruss Landscaping are being featured in a garden walk that will take place on June 16th, 2012 in downtown Glen Ellyn, IL.

The event, entitled Through the Garden Gate, invites the public to tour 7 unique garden spaces at homes throughout the architecturally rich community. Two gardens designed and installed by Bruss Landscaping are featured on the walk. The gardens by Bruss Landscaping are numbers 2 4 respectively, on the garden walk map.

The whimsical backyard railway garden called “Prairie Crossing” incorporates a large model railroad display with adjacent water features, streambed, unique specimen plantings, curving flagstone walkways, and patio.

The unconventional rooftop garden offers a rare view of the downtown Chicago skyline from its elevated deck location. The airy space features an outdoor kitchen and bar area with extensive container gardens comprised of interesting plant selections. Modern outdoor furnishings and stylish fire table complete the setting.

The annual Glen Ellyn garden walk marks the transition from spring to summer for the west suburban community and area garden aficionados. The gardens will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the walk, with Master Gardeners on hand at several locations to answer plant questions.

Tickets for the event are available on the Bridge Communities website and at participating Glen Ellyn retailers. View and download the map at: https://www.bridgecommunities.org/uploads/cms/documents/garden-walk-web-map-2012.pdf.

Bruss Landscaping, Inc.
Bruss Landscaping, Inc. is a third-generation family business founded in 1952, and is located in Wheaton, IL. The company specializes in residential landscape architecture and construction, serving homeowners in DuPage and eastern Kane counties. The firm employs two landscape architects and four landscape designers, with over 80 years combined experience. Bruss Landscaping is a member of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, the Glen Ellyn and Wheaton Chambers of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau. Owner Eric Bruss is a frequent contributor to Glancer Magazine, offering advice on all matters related to gardening and landscaping. In 2011 the company was honored by the magazine as a winner of their annual Reader’s Choice Award.

Bridge Communities
Bridge Communities is a non-profit organization that is based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Bridge Communities offers transitional housing and support services to homeless families that live and work in DuPage County. Founded in 1988 by community volunteers Mark Milligan and Bob Wahlgren, Bridge has grown to include nearly 100 units of transitional housing and 18 shared-equity home ownership condominium units. To learn more about their services and fund-raising events go to: https://www.bridgecommunities.org/What-we-do/index.html

Amateur photography and community landscaping contests, sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. Both competitions have a June 22 deadline. Go to mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov for details. 240-777-7155.

Meals on Wheels volunteers needed, delivery drivers sought to help distribute food in the Gaithersburg area. Meals are prepared for daily (10:45-11:30 a.m.) pickup at Asbury Methodist Village (Kindley Center), 333 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg. 301-216-4200 or 301-253-4626.

Friday, June 8

Life safety class, a paramedic member of the Life Safety Unit of Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department will teach the basics of fire prevention, stranger danger, scalds and burns, choking hazards, basic first aid, how to get help and more to anyone age 12 and older. A completion card and a small safety tools backpack will be given to all attendees. 6-10 p.m., Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department, Station 16, University Blvd, adjacent to Montgomery Blair High School. Free, registration required. 240-375-4295 or www.silverspringvfd.org.

Apollo Chamber Orchestra concert, music director Stephen Czarkowski leads the ensemble in a performance of works by Wagner, Mozart, Lehar and Mahler. 7:30 p.m., St. Jane de Chantal Church, 9601 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda. Free. 301-530-1550.

Contra dancing, for age 17 and younger, and some square dances and waltzes, contra dance lesson at 7:30. Music by the Glen Echo Open Band; beginners welcome. 8:15-11:30 p.m., Glen Echo Park, Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. $9. 301-634-2222.

Saturday, June 9

Rockville farmers market, fruits and vegetables, bedding plants, cut flowers, baked goods and more. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Route 28 and Monroe Street. 240-314-8620.

Plant Clinics, question-and-answer sessions with master gardeners from Montgomery County Cooperative Extension. Bring specimens for identification and diagnosis. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg. 240-777-0200; or Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. 240-777-0922.

Year-round farmers market, produce, seafood, meat, baked goods, flowers and more. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, Kensington train station (Howard Avenue), Kensington. 301-949-2424 or www.tok.md.gov.

“Rock the Block,” grand opening of a new venue space for live music by Miles Midnight, Astra Via, the Young Rapids and others. Noon-8 p.m., Foundation Gallery and Liveroom, 3762 Howard Ave., Kensington. Admission, free. 703-593-8327 or info@pickupproductions.com.

Sunday, June 10

“Strides to Thrive” Walk registration, an at-your-own-pace walk around the lake, approximately one mile. A post-event party in the Rio plaza with food, drinks, music, and children’s activities. Proceeds will benefit the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes. 8:30 a.m., Rio Center Mall, 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., Gaithersburg. $25; age 12 and younger, $15. 301-921-4684 or www.stridestothrive.com.

Olney farmers market, local produce, vegetables and more. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays. 2801 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd. (at Prince Philip Drive). 202-257-5326.

Paper shredding and recycling event, take as many as five paper bags or boxes of documents for on-site shredding. Sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Rd., Kensington. 301-929-2200.

Monday, June 11

Flower Buds nature program, for ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult, gardening activities and walks, stories and crafts. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. $5; adults, free. Register at www.parkpass.org. 301-962-1400.

TUESDAY, June 12

Brookside Gardens Justin Trawick concert, the Arlington-based urban-folk-rock band performs folk, bluegrass, funk, hip-hop music and more. Take a lawn chair or blanket. 6:30-8 p.m., Brookside Gardens, 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Free. 301-962-1400.

Wednesday, June 13

Rockville farmers market, fruits and vegetables, bedding plants, cut flowers and baked goods, with live music. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, East Montgomery Avenue at Rockville Town Center. 240-314-8620.

Plant clinic, question-and-answer session with master gardeners. Take plant and insect samples for diagnosis. 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Poolesville Library, 19633 Fisher Ave. Free. 240-773-9550.

Help With Homework, for ages 5 to 14 accompanied by an adult, volunteers help children with homework. 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville. 240-773-9410.

— Compiled by Lisa M. Bolton

To submit an event

E-mail:
mxliving@washpost.com

Fax: 301-279-5665
Mail: Community calendar, Montgomery Local Living, The Washington Post, 51 Monroe St., Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20850
Details: Announcements are accepted on a space-available basis from public and nonprofit organizations only and must be received at least 14 days before the Thursday publication date. Include event name, dates, times, exact address, prices and a publishable contact phone number.

“They’re known to grow above the 14,000-foot level on mountains in Colorado and as far north as Canada’s Northwest Territories,” Calhoun said. “There’s a great diversity of cold-hardy cactus to be had.”

Cacti are succulents, native to the New World. Approximately 250 of the recognized 3,000 species are found in North America.

If you’re going to plant cacti, put temperature-tested plants, cuttings or seeds – preferably those native to your area – in places with Southern exposures, if possible. Give them at least six hours of sun per day.

Provide a bed of 8 to 12 inches of sandy soil, supplemented by granite or gravel mulch. Be stingy about watering, particularly in autumn when the plants are evaporating away any surplus moisture.

“Once cacti are established, they don’t need any extra watering and only a little supplemental watering when it’s extremely hot and dry,” said David Salman, founder and chief horticulturist for High Country Gardens, an online and mail-order company in Santa Fe, N.M. “I do give them some organic fertilizers – particularly if I’m trying to optimize their flowering and accelerate their growth. Cacti don’t react well to chemicals that people commonly use throughout their landscapes.”

Calhoun also recommends integrating cacti with other plants. “That’s the way they grow in nature,” he said.

Cacti may be stuck with a prickly reputation, but there are spineless, scented and edible varieties, he said: “The hardy Beehive has fragrant flowers followed by edible fruit that tastes like strawberries.”

Cactus is the clever gardener’s alternative, said Richard Ward, owner of The Dry Garden Nursery in Oakland, Calif.

“Water loving plants (like roses) are the dinosaurs of the past,” Ward said. “They’re like gas-guzzlers on the road. People are pretty much going for water-wise gardens they can install and pretty much forget about.”

___

Online:For more about landscaping with cacti, see the University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program: http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/cacti.html

You can contact Dean Fosdick at deanfosdick(at)netscape.net

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Karin Crane, president of the Miller Garden Club, believes her group’s annual garden walk helps spread the right message of just how much her community has to be proud about to share with others.

“Most people don’t even know about Miller Beach, and certainly don’t realize that it’s a thriving community filled with beautiful homes and gardens right on Lake Michigan and next to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore,” Crane said.

“Many people think steel mills and Gotham City when they think of Gary. But unique Miller Beach gardens and homes showcase a different side. The Miller Garden Club works tirelessly to beautify the community, tending to gardens along the Lake Street business district and the South Shore train station.”

She said the group’s annual garden walk draws visitors who discover the area “boasts unique topography” with savannahs, dunes, oaks and marram grass.

“These are landscapes that also present some unusual gardening challenges,” she said.

“Local gardeners meet the challenge in a variety of different ways by transforming their space into sprawling native plant landscapes or clean-cut formal gardens.”

Diana Cook, of Purdue Cooperative Education Extension of Lake County, said she is impressed with the growing number of garden walks offered each season in Northwest Indiana and the Region.

“I’ve been with this office for 21 years and I know there weren’t nearly as many garden walk options when I started two decades ago,” Cook said.

“But what I especially like about the walks hosted by the master gardeners throughout the area is the added emphasis on education, the labeled plant markers and the opportunity for guests to ask questions from these gardeners who have completed all of their hours of training.”

Last year, more than 500 flower footstep fans participated in the ninth annual Porter County Garden Walk in Valparaiso.

“It was my second year serving as one of the chairs for this event, and every year it continues to grow while raising money for a good cause,” said Charlotte Friedlund of Valparaiso, who is a bronze advanced master gardener.

The event, sponsored by Purdue University Cooperative Extension and the Porter County Master Gardeners Association, is the result of the hard work of the nonprofit gardening group, which has more than 125 members from Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

The money raised from each year’s walk is used for community educational programs and college scholarships for students studying horticulture.

Last year’s walk included six private residence gardens around Valparaiso and also showcased the grounds and gardens of Hayes Leonard Elementary School, where students worked with the garden club to create a landscape tribute of flowers, rocks and foliage to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Friedlund worked with her daughter Morgan Casteel, who is PTO president at Hayes Leonard Elementary, and granddaughter Sadie Casteel, 11, to create a junior master gardening program. Sadie, who helped with tours along with fellow student Wynne Aldrich, of Valparaiso, explained the symbolism used for the school’s garden landscaping.

Here’s a selection of just a few of the 2012 summer season’s garden walk opportunities in the Region:

• Whiting in Bloom Garden Walk hosted by the Arts Alive! group in Whiting 1 to 4 p.m. June 23. The tour includes six residential gardens along with two public gardens. Tickets are $10, which includes the Garden Tea at the completion of the walk at the Veteran’s Memorial on 119th St., and are available at Full Circle Art, Suncatchers, Whiting Flower Shop, Pami Petunia’s, Chrislove Collectibles or the Whiting/Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce office. FYI: (219) 659-0292 or whitingindiana.com.

• Crete Woman’s Club Annual Garden Walk and Garden Faire with Luncheon at the Lincolnshire Country Club, 390 E. Richton Rd., Crete, from June 26-28. The theme for this 22nd annual event is “A Day in the Country — Then and Now” and the tour includes seven gardens, along with boutiques and vendor area. Tickets range from $15 for just the walk preview up to $30 for the walk and lunch option and $40 for the walk and dinner event. Discount for advance ticket purchases, with “day of” tickets also available. Walk and dining times vary each day. FYI: (708) 672-4820 or cretewomansclub.org.

• Munster Garden Club’s Sixth Annual Garden Walk from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 29, and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30. Tickets are $10 and admit walkers to nine gardens, with themes like wildlife attractions, fountains, garden art, vegetable gardens, privacy, mature gardens evolving, and peace and tranquility. Children 12 and under are free. There will be a drawing for door prizes donated by area garden, hardware and landscaping enterprises. Proceeds from the Garden Walk benefit local nonprofit and gardening organizations. Tickets are available from members or at Dixon’s Florist, 919 Ridge Rd., Munster; Dean’s Landscaping Center, 238 Kennedy Ave., Schererville; and Water’s Edge Aquascaping, 18418 Wentworth, Lansing. FYI: Call Betsy, (219) 924-0022.

• Lake County Master Gardeners Association Garden Walk, featuring 11 gardens in Hobart from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 23. Tickets are $6 in Hobart at Café 339, Centier Bank in Hobart, and Karp’s Garden and Feed Center. In Crown Point, the Artful Garden and Purdue Cooperative Extension also sell tickets. Maps for each garden appear on the ticket brochure designed by Lisa Gossler and printed courtesy of Centier Bank. Two master gardeners will assist at each location to take tickets, answer plant questions, and guide visitors along landscaped pathways. This year’s theme is “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over.” Master gardeners and their guests, along with homeowners, can attend a picnic at Krull Tower, 206 Main St., Hobart, following the walk. Every master gardener will bring a dish to share. Chicken and paperware for the meal will cost $4 each for master gardeners and guests. FYI: Diana Cook at (219) 755-3240.

• Miller Beach Garden Club’s 13th Annual Secret Gardens Tour 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15, featuring elaborate and unique home gardens, filled with native plants, perennials and annuals. This year’s theme is “Flower Beds, Bird Baths and Beyond.” The tour starts at the historic Aquatorium Bath House in Miller Beach’s Marquette Park, with a view of the Chicago skyline. The Aquatorium is also part of the current $28-million renovation of Marquette Park. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the Aquatorium, where shuttle buses will depart regularly until 2:30 p.m. and return to the Aquatorium. A bicycle tour will start 10:30 a.m. Sat., July 14. The Aquatorium is located at 6918 Oak Ave. in Gary. Box lunches will be available for purchase at the Aquatorium. Vendors will also be selling garden-related goods. FYI: millergardenclub.com.

• Porter County Master Gardeners Garden Walk 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30, starting at Hayes Leonard School, 653 Hayes Leonard Rd., Valparaiso. Advance tickets are $6 or $8 the day of the walk. Children under 12 are free. The 2012 walk showcases six home gardens and one public garden in and around Valparaiso and Porter County. One large featured garden covers nearly 50 acres, with three of the gardens having been featured on previous walks and profiled in regional gardening magazines. Master gardeners will answer questions and explain plantings at each garden and there will be door-prize drawings at every garden. FYI: PCGarden.info or (219) 465-3555.

• The Lowell Garden Club 16th Annual Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 7th, and Sunday, July 8. Tickets are $10 at Gardens on the Prairie, 3242 W. 169th Ave., Lowell; Leo’s Feed Garden Center, 13406 Wicker Ave. (Hwy. 41), Cedar Lake; Martin’s Landscape, 9961 W. 109th Ave. (Rt. 231), Cedar Lake; and The Artful Garden, 611 N. Indiana Ave., Crown Point. A garden luncheon will be available both days at Gardens on the Prairie for an additional fee. FYI: lowellgardenclub.com or call (219) 696-8282.

A master landscaping plan for city hall and the future of  the M-4 tank and artillery piece, currently on display at Lake Superior tate University, highlighted Monday’s meeting of the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission.

With no money budgeted for the 2012-13 fiscal year, the landscaping plan will serve as direction for any future plantings which occur at 225 E. Portage Avenue, according to City Manager Spencer Nebel. Five different types of trees — ivory silk, sugar maple, red maple, crimson maple and weeping tamarack — will be planted in the future with a variety of hedges and shrubbery in addition to flower gardens for the property.

Commissioner Jeff Stefanski, who has served as the commission’s resident expert in the creation of the landscaping plan, explained those involved in the design were working from an old postcard showing the grounds from the era when the structure was built.

“Everything will be very formal looking,” said Stefanski.

The proposed planting sights will run north and south along the grounds — providing clear sight lines from Portage Avenue to the St. Marys River, while the back of the property will be left somewhat open to accommodate festivals and other gatherings.

The commission is also deciding the fate of the St. Mary statue which stands on the north end of the property. Nebel explained that the city could opt to keep the statue at its current location with a plaque referencing her historical role in the naming of Sault Ste. Marie and the St. Marys River but, as a religious figure, there could be some controversy with her presence on city property.

The commission scheduled a public hearing for the July 16 meeting to take input from the public before making any decision on the statue.

The commission also cleared the way for Lake Superior State University to return the M-4 tank and artillery piece, authorizing Vice President of Finance Sherry Brooks of LSSU to act on its behalf with any future negotiations.

While the city could opt to keep both items and move them to another spot, the maintenance and upkeep on the old military equipment appears to be cost prohibitive.

“I think it would be advantageous for the city to get out of the middle of this,” said Nebel.

Brooks, from all indications, will be looking to return both the tank and the military piece to the U.S. Army unless another eligible entity steps up to take them.

Residents of Laurel Gardens and the surrounding neighborhood took one final chance to voice their concerns over the redevelopment of the 80-unit apartment and town house complex to the Laurel City Council last week. Despite some emotional testimony, the council voted 5-0 to approve the overlay zoning that will help move the redevelopment forward.

“A move is going to be hard on us. I’m not against progress,” Kathleen Tinsman, who lives in Laurel Gardens, told the council. “At first, this was shocking; I had a nervous breakdown. Now I’m doing better, I’m coming to terms with it in the way I have to. I’m a survivor, I can move on, but I hope the realty will help their tenants move on, help us move on to a new options.”

Tinsman was one of nine people to speak at the council’s public hearing May 30 on the overlay zoning. All spoke directly to Laurel Gardens: concern over the manner in which the plan developed and was communicated; concern over traffic and construction; and concern for the future of the 80-unit, seven-building complex, which owner Laurel Realty Co. plans to tear down and replace with 10 new buildings, with an addition of 34 more units at higher rents.

• Related

• Planning Commission unanimously recommends approval of Laurel Gardens redevelopment

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  Laurel Gardens

• City Council members weigh-in on Laurel Gardens redevelopment plans

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Anthony Tassallo, who lives in Laurel Gardens, said he and other residents were concerned over a lack of a timetable for any development, and felt like they were being overlooked.

“Our only hope is that we’re not treated like we’re being evicted, like we’ve violated something,” Tassallo said. “All we want is a deeper consideration for the tenants living there. We don’t want to stop the project; we know we can’t stop progress. We just don’t want to be left out in the cold.”

Grant Gross, who lives on Phillip Powers Drive, questioned why Laurel Realty wanted to increase the number of units in the complex.

“A project between the current level of 84 units and the city limit of 96 units would be more reasonable,” he said. “The homeowners want fewer units because a project of this size would change the character of the neighborhood in a negative way. It would bring more traffic to the area … a closure of Park Avenue would bring more speeding traffic (to nearby streets). We already have problems with cars flying down Phillip Powers Drive … several small children live on our street and we don’t need more high-speed traffic. More renters will bring more noise, potentially more crime and more problems for the neighborhood.”

Council members ultimately voted in favor of the overlay zoning; Council President Donna Crary said many of the residents’ concerns had already been addressed and the plan had already been amended to reflect those concerns. Others expressed sympathy for renters in Laurel Gardens, but said plans had to move forward.

“I truly do feel for people that are living in these particular apartments,” said Ward 1 Council Member H. Edward Ricks. “I grew up around them, but I think the fact is that the economic basis is just not there for the apartments to continue the way they’re continuing. … Overall, I think these apartments, when they’re built in the way I understand they will be built, will benefit the community more than they would hurt the community.”

Mayor Craig Moe agreed with the council’s vote, and reminded members of the public that approval of the overlay plan did not necessarily mean approval of the Laurel Gardens redevelopment.

“There will be more public hearings, and I think some of the questions asked tonight will be answered as we move forward,” Moe said at the May 30 meeting.

The new buildings, Moe said, will be built in accordance with standards that didn’t exist when the complex was built 60 years ago.

“They will be required to have workforce housing,” he said. “Under our current code, they will be required to meet moderate price standards. Sixty years ago there was no storm-water management requirements … there was no parking standard 60 years ago, there was no landscaping requirements. Traffic standards have all been changed, and the standards for building green buildings — there was none of that 60 years ago,” Moe said. “These buildings will be more efficient, and they will be a better product for the individual.”

There are many benefits to adding mulch to your flower beds and walkways.

In today’s Angie’s List report, we show you what types are available and how much to buy.

Mulch plays a major role in landscaping. From providing essential moisture and nutrients to fighting off weeds and pests, mulch is an inexpensive yet efficient way to spruce up your flower beds, walkways and gardens.

Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews, asked highly rated landscaping companies about the benefits of mulch and which types are available.

Mulch is commonly applied to flower beds, around the base of trees and to line walking paths, but it does a lot more than liven up landscaping – it provides added benefits to your plants.

Benefits of Mulch:

• Helps retain moisture around the base of plants.
• Keeps plant roots warm.
• Allows water to seep slowing into the ground.
• Provides additional nutrients for the soil.
• Mulch is a natural weed suppressor. It won’t completely rid your yard of weeds, but it’s a great option if you prefer not to use pesticides.

Which mulch should I buy? There are several options for selecting mulch.

• Types of mulch: You can choose between coarse, shredded and fine consistencies – the consistency will determine how fast the mulch decomposes – generally, the finer the faster.

• Brown is one of the most popular colors of dyed mulch thanks to its natural look and ability to blend in with most landscapes. It’s great for mulching flower beds and around water features and patios. Average price: $33.50 per yard

  • Black is another popular choice for dyed mulch, and it’s often used to add contrast to flower beds and to make colorful flowers stand out. Average price: $33.50 per yard
  • Red mulch is the color to use if you want your landscaping to really stand out. Average price: $33.50 per yard
  • Gold is another popular choice for dyed mulch. Gold-tinted mulch is often referred to as “mock cypress,” due to its similar appearance and consistency. Average price: $33.50 per yard
  • Hardwood mulch is screened to create smaller particles called “fines.” It has the consistency of coffee grounds and it composts quickly making it a good soil additive. Average price: $29.50 per yard
  • Cypressmulch is shipped from Florida and comes in a blond or gold tint. It’s durable mulch that is known to hold its color longer than other varieties. Average price: $46 per yard
  • Rubber tire mulch is great for landscaping and playgrounds. It’s made out of recycled tires that have been stripped of all wires and cut to ¼- or ½-inch pieces. Rubber tire mulch is low maintenance and absorbent to impact. Average price: $8.50 per bag
• Picking out color: Some dyed mulches like red or black can be used to add contrast, or make flowers and plants stand out in a landscape, but there is no real benefit to choosing one color over another.
• Should I buy mulch in bulk or by the bag? Mulch can be purchased bagged or bulk. Customers can save a considerable amount of money by purchasing mulch by the yard, but a delivery fee might apply. One benefit to having it delivered is you can have the mulch dumped in a convenient location to minimize trips with the wheelbarrow. If you own a truck or trailer, you can buy mulch in bulk and pick it up yourself – cutting out the delivery fee.
• How much mulch? Mulch is usually sold by the cubic yard. A quick way to estimate how much mulch you’ll need: take the length times the width to find the area and then divide by 100. One yard will cover 100 square feet at 3 inches deep.
• What is the cost? Prices vary depending on the company and geographic location. Expect to pay anywhere from $20-$50 per yard, depending on the quality of the mulch. Buying mulch in bulk may be cheaper if you need large volumes. Bagged mulch is often easier to handle, especially for smaller projects.
• Avoid the mulch volcano: The biggest mistake you can make when spreading mulch is piling it high around the base of a tree. Even if you think it looks nice, be warned that it can cause serious damage. Excessive mulch can saturate the tree roots with water which can cause rot and fungus problems, and block oxygen from reaching the roots. Keep mulch piles to 3 inches or less.

Consider this when purchasing Mulch:

• Think about how much work you actually want to do. You may only want to hire someone to deliver the mulch, or you may want to hire someone to spread the mulch.
• Does the company offer to help you get the right amount? It’s a good idea to bring in measurements of the areas where you’ll be using the mulch to get an accurate amount.
• Do they deliver the mulch or are you responsible for pick-up? How is the delivery charge calculated? Is it by material, weight, or location distance? Request a delivery quote.
• If you want it delivered, it’s a good idea to be present during delivery of the materials. If you can’t be there, be clear and detailed on the place in your yard where you would like the mulch dumped.
• Is the mulch good quality? Is it free of pests? Good mulch smells like freshly cut wood or has the earthy smell of a good garden soil.
• Compare prices. Call around to three other mulch companies to compare rates.
• Save some money by splitting mulch and delivery with your neighbors.

Even in a dense, brick and concrete city like Hoboken you can still find little green gardens that give their owners great pleasure.

For 15 years the Hoboken Historical Museum has been highlighting these hidden spaces with its annual Secret Gardens Tour. On Sunday over 350 people walked this year’s guided two-hour tour, which took them in groups of twenty to ten homes.

The museum started the tour to raise money as it was moving to its current location at 1301 Hudson Street. Tickets for this year’s tour cost $20 with advance purchase and $25 on Sunday.

The tour is sponsored by Hufnagel Landscaping, which designed many of the participating gardens. Valerie Hufnagel, who now owns the business her family started in 1945, is vice-president of the museum’s board of trustees.

Each year the Museum coordinates with the Hoboken Garden Club to find gardens for the tour. Valerie D’Antonio, who helped found the club in 2000, said it has roughly 75 members who meet for workshops, field trips and plant exchanges.

D’Antonio said that gardening in a city like Hoboken is more difficult than doing so elsewhere because of a lack of space, and the fact that much of what is available is shaded from the sun by nearby buildings. But, she said, gardeners have adapted.

“People are gardening on balconies, in backyards, on stoops, it’s a mix,” D’Antonio said.

The gardens on the tour this year ranged from neatly landscaped lawns with concrete patios, to others overflowing with abundant plants.

Tim, owner of the tour’s fifth stop, showed off the various fruits and vegetables he grows in his personally maintained garden, including tomatoes, strawberries, beets, radishes, figs and grapes. “We’ve actually got too many grapes,” he said.

Many of the owners who met with the tour groups said they treasure most the separation their gardens provide from the rest of the city.

“It’s a sanctuary,” said Ariana, who lives at the tour’s sixth stop, uptown on Bloomfield Street. She said her favorite feature of her garden is a flower lined pathway that leads to an antique wooden swing. Someone sitting on the swing would be shaded by a three-story high maple tree, and could enjoy looking at a catalpa tree that acts as a natural canopy and holds decorative lanterns.

Christina, who lives at the tour’s first stop with her husband Dominic, said she wanted their garden to replicate the vacation home they owned in the Poconos and sold while they were buying their Castle Point home in 2007.

“We wanted all those elements (from the Poconos) in an urban setting,” she said. The backyard features a frost-sandstone patio with deck chairs, a heated stainless steel plunging pool, and a two-story playhouse for the couple’s children, all lined by planting beds full of various flowers. From the deck chairs one has a straight view of the Manhattan skyline.

If all of the gardens now provide their owners with pleasure, some first elicited frustration for the hard work they required.

Theresa, owner of the tour’s tenth and final stop, almost saw her dream garden ruined right from the start. She had hired some contractors to build a patio in the backyard of her home on uptown Bloomfield Street, and as the workers were digging they hit a large and immovable boulder.

“We tried everything,” Theresa said. “They told me they needed to dynamite, and I said not in Hoboken, not here,” she said.

Theresa said she was initially upset at being stuck with the boulder, until a friend suggested she turn it into a fountain. Now water shoots from a hose concealed by some smaller rocks placed at the top, washes over the big boulder and falls into a pool built at the base.

“It turned out to be fantastic,” Theresa said. “We made lemons out of lemonade.”

WEATHERFORD —
In keeping the Weatherford Public Library one of the major attractions of the city, library staff and the Parker County Master Gardeners unveiled a new interactive eye-catcher — the Literary Gardens.

The gardens, which surround the library’s front public entrance, debuted last month.

“It’s really fun to interact with the public, and just think about how many people come to the library and are exposed to the gardens,” Patti Lankford, project coordinator and Master Gardener, said.

The project began around 2005, when director of library services Dale Fleeger was talking with some friends who were members of the Master Gardener Association during the Christmas holidays.

“I had happened to mention that the area around the library was kind of drab,” he said.

From there, the idea flourished as the Master Gardeners, the library and the Weatherford Parks and Recreation teamed up to make the project reality.

While parks and recreation staff handled the hardscape, soil and slow-drip irrigation systems, Master Gardeners worked together to find the perfect mixture of plants and flowers to sustain seasons and draw attention to the area.

Because of shallow soil, beds were built up, to add more depth and make room for regrowth.

The gardens are broken down into three phases. Phase I houses five theme-named beds: Texas, Shakespeare, Quilt, Children’s and Herb.

“The plants that we put in all have a literary reference, with a label that shows the common name and the botanical name,” Lankford said.

For instance, one of the main attractions in the Shakespeare bed are the roses, which tie in to lines from A Midsummer Night’s, Hamlet, The Tempest and other plays.

Another, the Quilt Bed, is named after the Bluebonnet Bee Quilt group that meets weekly at the library. One of their quilts given to the library was auctioned off to help fund the garden project.

The Texas Bed is fitted with Easy Yellow Roses, Bluebonnets and others themed with the state.

“It’s reminiscent of plants and things that are found in Texas,” Lankford said.

Phase II is the construction of a round concrete performance area, often used for library events.

Phase III, which was the latest to be completed, is home to five more beds: Biographies, Heirloom, Mysteries, Fiction and a memorial bed.

The Biography Bed pays tribute to several authors, including Julia Child, Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, Anne Boleyn and Charles Darwin.

A special area, complete with a tribute bench, was constructed in memory of Master Gardener project co-chairman Teresa Lynn Blackburn, who passed away last year.

“People enjoy seeing the beds and walking through the paths, and they will stop and ask and learn different things about the plants,” Lankford said.

The Master Gardeners, who provide education and demonstration gardens all around Parker County, keep a consistent eye on the libraries, working in the early mornings to maintain and keep from getting too hot.

Despite near-drought conditions last year, Lankford and others were able to keep the gardens up to par, taking advantage of their irrigation system.

“Last year was amazing, with as bad of weather as we had,” she said. “We didn’t have a lot of die-backs because of our drip-system, but we made sure we chose plants that could tolerate the heat and fortunately, we did pretty well.”

Because plants and flowers grow at different times, gardeners made sure there is something blooming all the time, from flowers to trees to Russian Sage.

“Mulch, drip irritation and plant selection are the most important parts,” Lankford said. “One of the things we’ve also added is foliage color contrast, so it’s not all one big blob.

“There’s gray, purple, green, all mixed in.”

While the gardens are open to anyone, the public will get another chance to view the landscape when the library hosts its Carnival Kickoff June 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in which the Master Gardeners will have a booth.

The Weatherford library is open Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m., and is located at 1014 Charles Street, Weatherford.

For more information, call 817-598-4150 or visit www.wpltx.com.