This colorful array was the initial effort. Maria is asking for comments and suggestions for next year.
I think the tall plants here are from Cosmos seeds that I shared with Maria. Some plants were purchased.
My preference is always for free plants from saved seeds, but others like this Dahlia are great additions.
Maria's Master Gardener skills shine through in the lovely arrangement of border, mid-height and tall plants. Brava Maria! A great beginning in 2012 - I'm sure Spring 2013 will be superb as well!
--Bernice
LOOKS GREAT thanks to Marie, Barbara, and April for such a place.
ReplyDeleteIt has been such a pleasure to watch the plantings develop.
ReplyDeleteHi Bernice,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words! It has been fun and a pleasure to do the planting this year, it is my hope that more people join the beautification, if not of this place, with so many others that we have here in the city. And yes, the cosmos -the orange, tall, flowers-come from seeds you had given me in years past, I will be trying to get a central place where local gardeners, and those interested, can share seeds, as you know and have shown me, seeds can certainly go a long way! Thanks again for the kind words!
I hope nothing is planted in the "peninsula" that gets more than one or two feet high. The planters need to keep in mind that the view of people and vehicles should not be obstructed.
ReplyDeleteBernice/Maria, I would love to see My Local Garden, with Wanda Knapik, get involved. I know her personally, and find her fascinating and so knowledgeable, have seen her work up close and personal, and think she could help Plainfield do great things on this topic! Here’s some info from her website:
ReplyDeleteWe are a New Jersey-based business. We inspire people to connect with nature and grow good food. We use permaculture principles in the garden and in our lives, building practical skills and sharing our knowledge of solutions for healthier and more meaningful lives. We regenerate landscapes and communities, and inspire people of all ages to implement simple sustainable solutions that can change their lives and the world. We have a core team of Wanda, Julie, Adam, Erin, Lauren and an extended team of over 100 farmers, gardeners, interns, apprentices, and students, who are growing food using sustainable organic practices and helping others do the same.
Wanda Knapik, President of My Local Garden, designs and creates integrated edible landscapes and vegetable gardens in urban and suburban environments. She is a certified permaculture designer and educator, organic vegetable gardener, and sustainability consultant. She is a member of the Bernardsville Green Team and the Director of the Bernardsville Community Garden. Wanda has worked on organic and biodynamic farms and in gardens in the U.S. and Europe. She has traveled the world extensively, learning about the diversity in food and cultures. Her passion is in educating and inspiring people of all ages to connect with nature and understand local and global ecological issues. In the past four years, she has designed and created over 300 large and small organic vegetable and herb gardens across New Jersey. She has lectured and taught hundreds of classes in universities, education centers, adult schools, libraries and residential backyards. She has inspired thousands of people to grow their own food. The gardens she has created have produced thousands of pounds of food.
http://www.mylocalgarden.com/home.html
http://wandaknapik.com/
http://www.meetup.com/Permaculture-Network-of-NJ/