Re: Where to start with a new shade garden
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Where to start with a new shade garden
- From: M* D*
- Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 07:50:10 -0800
- Importance: Normal
Hello George,
I agree with your premise that taking pictures before, during and after a
project is a very good way to "see" what's going on. And one never knows
when you will see a surprise in your picture. Several years ago, while
cruising the Puget Sound by ferry with a tour group, I fired off a series of
shots of a beautiful sunset over still waters with the Olympic mountains to
the west in the background. I kept my eyes on the water for 30 minutes or
so and didn't see anything but scenery and another ferry way off in the
distance. However, when I developed the film and laid out my series of
sunset shots, a submarine had popped up in the middle picture! None of us
standing on the deck had seen it.
Marilyn Dube'
Natural Designs Nursery
Portland, Oregon zone 8b
-----Original Message-----
From: PRIMROSES [s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU] On Behalf Of
George Africa
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2001 5:26 PM
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
Subject: [SG] Where to start with a new shade garden
Gardeners often take pictures of their gardens after they are "finished". I
take a bunch of pictures with a digital camera before I start doing
anything. The pictures allow me to see things more effectively and they
don't cost anything but time. Then I use surveyors tape to mark what I think
I might remove and take some more pictures. The old "measure twice, cut
once" rule is one I follow when constructing shade gardens.
When you take lots of pictures I think you can do a much better job. Last
fall I took a number of pictures of what will be an extension of a garden
I'm building in an old barn foundation. Currently hostas, heucheras,
tiarellas, ferns, hellebores, ..a work in progress. As I looked at many
pictures I noticed something I didn't even see when taking the shots--a
coyote camouflaged in poplar saplings looking right at me. No survey tape
for that one-- removed itself .
This method works well for me.
Best wishes to all gardeners!
George Africa
Marshfield Vermont
Zone 4, 30 degrees and flurries..and yes, snow still up to the windows!
