Pictures from three gardens on the Fox Valley Garden walk, July 12,2008

1. Fox Valley Garden Walk
July 12, 2008

2. The Hartman Family Farm
Kim and her mom, Pat
Pat plans a new project
every year. This bed is due
for a make-over
This elm is the
tallest elm in Kane
Co.

3. The walled paver patio
defines a living space
and is another way to
provide structure to the
garden space.
The boulders in
the garden all
came from the
farm and
provide some
interest in the
garden even
when plants are
not flowering.
There are times of the year, especially in winter, when the
garden seems bare. In winter plants are defoliated, in the
summer this can occur when they are out of bloom.
Having structural elements gives the eye something to
focus on. They are an important part of any design.

4. Pat chooses plants that look good
all season and focuses on foliage
rather than flowers. She has an
extensive collection of hostas and
several specimen conifers. She is
particularly proud of this beech

5. Waldron Grove Alpaca Farm
One of the many
alpacas on the
farm.
A peaceful water feature
A hollyhock from the
cutting garden

6. The Neville Garden
A delightful annual bed of
cosmos and poppies greeted us
a the entrance to this large
garden. The purple bench
accents the colors in the bed.
A stately piece of
statuary
This rustic arched
window frames the
coneflower perfectly

7. The pride of the Neville garden is the 2
acre native garden. Coneflowers,
heliopsis and native grasses as well as
all manner of bugs and birds thrive in
this garden. This garden took several
years to establish. Using native plants
that are better suited to our
local climate can save on
water but establishing a large
planting is very
labor intensive initially until
the plants are well
established. Prairie gardens
often need to be exposed to
fire in order for their seeds
to germinate. And keeping
unwanted plants out of the
garden until the intended
plants are established and
can fend for themselves is a
daunting task .

8. Use of red mulch
has been proven to
increase yields due
to a decrease in
nematode
population. Mrs.
Neville reports
similar findings.
A creek also runs through the
Neville property.
Just in case you are feeling a little
inadequate about your own gardening
abilities, Mrs. Neville does have 2 full
time gardeners to help with her efforts.