June 16, 2009
Finally, the sun has come out. Well, sort of. As gardeners, we know and appreciate all the water that Mother Nature has given us this year. But we need some sun to get those veggies growing and flowers blooming!
Before heading into the garden with tools in hand, don’t forget a couple simple things:
- With prolonged time spent in the sun, don’t just put sunblock on your face; lather some on your hands, calves, ears, scalps and necks too!
- Those damn little deer ticks are out there, and because they are so tiny to the eye, they can be almost impossible to spot. It’s best to wear light-colored clothing when gardening . Checking yourself often is a MUST. This includes checking your animals carefully before they climb into bed with you after a day shared in the yard. Lyme Disease is no fun, and for many people, infection has lifetime consequences.
- Before you sink your spade into the ground, be sure you’re not cutting into underground cable or electrical lines. Having your local utility companies mark the lines before you dig will not only save you from costly repair work, but will also avoid serious physical harm or shock.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from injury, poison ivy and insect bites. Not to mention that if you have cats or dogs using the yard as a porta-potty, you risk getting a bad case of worms. Gloves, gloves, gloves!
- And, speaking of poison ivy, oak or sumac, learn to identify them on-the-fly. The old saying “leaves of three, let them be” is still the ditty to dance to for ivy and oak. For sumac, it’s all about the red stem. Run! Run right to the weed killer. OUCH! Whenever you’re out in the yard where these items grow, wear long sleeves, gloves and long pants. And before touching any exposed skin, wash your hands (and gloves) in dishwashing soap; not hand soap. Like your dirty dishes, dish soap is designed to break down oil and grease; exactly what the nasty plants produce.
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Posted by evantinedesign
May 7, 2009
Landscape Design is part of the fabric of Evantine’s rich history and, at times, we incorporate landscaping into our design to complete the overall environment we are creating for a celebration. We certainly follow trade publications to keep us up-to-date. The May 2009 issue of Garden Design caught serious attention, to say the least. If you haven’t picked up the mag before, you should. It showcases exceptional, sophisticated landscape design from all over the country.
The “Green Gallery” feature on pages 64-70 is a must-see, for the fascinating story about a local private residence in Villanova, and also for the fabulous photos by Rob Cardillo. The article is about an 1880′s grand, formal estate home with equally grand, formal gardens that have been thoughtfully and deliberately redesigned to showcase modern, contemporary sculptures. The renowned landscape designers, Charlie and Chuck Gale of Gale Nurseries, were hired to redesign the traditional gardens into what they coined as outdoor “rooms” or “galleries” holding works designed by Richard Long, Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, Richard Serra, and Ellsworth Kelly.
We’ve had the privilege many times of working at homes that the Gales have landscaped; each more beautiful and personal than the last. (The Gales are true kindreds in their design approach). But this project was clearly a labor of love by all involved. The homeowners even made sure to highlight the living sculptures that already existed on the grounds, such as leaning fruit trees, reflecting pools and symmetrical boxwood hedges.
The design appears to be a true extension of their heart and home. (Now wouldn’t a party be just PERFECT on the lower lawn? jk) See below for more of the article and additional photos of the exceptional art.
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