July 16th Work Session and Transitions

Yesterday was a sunny, blue-sky day meant for outdoor activities and perfect for gardening.  As will be mentioned later, the day marks a few transitions.

 These intrepid volunteers (from left to right; Ken, Loren, Joyce(pink hat), Steve, and me with the straw hat) enjoyed the lushness of the gardens and each others company while diligently pulling weeds. Another large pile of plant materials awaits a pickup. I must send an email to my city contact. Taking the picture, is another dedicated volunteer, my wife, Ann. 

The crew enjoyed Ann's homemade cheesecake squares. Laura, another volunteer, cancelled early in the morning because of a "cat health emergency." Here's hoping the emergency passed and that the cat is recovering. Bob, another regular, had another event at which he was volunteering.   

Here's Steve hard at work among the Purple Cone flowers. In early August,Steve leaves for Corvallis, Oregon. His daughter, son-in-law and grandson are moving back to Wisconsin. Steve, along with a friend from Maine, will drive one of the cars back and along with a well behaved dog. Happy travels, Steve.

Steve wrote the original Madison city grant that provided some startup money nearly seven years ago for Prospect Gardens. This kick-started the gardens, paying for some shrubs and seeds. Many of the seeds never transitioned into plants. Plugs or young plants have had a higher survival rate. The highest survival rate are plants that friends and neighbors have donated.





Here's a good shot of the crew and the passing bike riders. Invariably riders and walkers call out their "thank yous", expressing gratitude for the beauty of the Gardens and our labors. Some will stop and chat.

The raspberry patch always attracts walkers and leisurely bike riders. However, there are riders, some dressed in colorful spandex, who speed by seemingly oblivious to us and the Gardens. These individuals always seem like they are in a hurry or perhaps are just feeling their youthful energy.  You can see all kinds of different bikes, including an occasional unicycle.

Here's Loren toiling away. Loren was one of those leisurely bike riders who stopped to chat about a year ago as he was passing through. Now Loren is a dedicated and tireless volunteer.

Loren lives about three miles in the Hilldale neighborhood and bikes to Prospect Gardens. He frequently uses the path, commuting when he was working and now biking to Olbrich Gardens.   He joined the Prospect crew because of traveling through and enjoying the Prospect Gardens on his way to Olbrich. Loren also volunteers at Olbrich. Loren returned in the afternoon with his lawn mower. The mowing so enhances the beauty of the Gardens.  A special "thank you" for this extra and generous act. 

    

During the break we discussed, among other things, the history of the Gardens. Someone asked if I had some before and after pictures. In fact, I have an organized folder with pictures from the initial year (2010) through 2013 and found a "before" shot.

The picture to the right is today's section of the Garden, just west of the stairs leading up into the Regent Neighborhood. Recall the Gardens straddle the Regent and Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhoods. This segment is at its peak with several different plants in bloom. Purple Cones are the most showy.







Here's the "before" picture; facing west with the stairs to the Regent Neighborhood on the right side. The little brown shrub, barely noticeable, is the first installed plant, a forsythia. Steve planted it and he says that his late wife, Peg, insisted this be done.

The next picture shows the forsythia as of this morning. This morning's welcoming rain has now moved on and replaced with sunshine and warmth. However more humidity is on its way.

These two pictures dramatically show the Prospect Gardens' transitions and changes. Many volunteers, and especially those who continually show up, have made these transitions possible and personally enjoyable. Gardening with neighbors is good for the mind and the spirit. I find it to be a form of meditation.

Yesterday marks another transition in our lives. In early August, Ann and I will move six blocks west to a two bedroom apartment building on Monroe. We have lived on nearby Keyes Avenue for 30 years and sold our home in late May. Since then we have been downsizing, sorting, packing and letting go. Ann is the lead on all this stuff, and I am so grateful for her lead role.

Next month we will most likely drive to the Gardens on work days. It's only a 15 minute walk to our new home and yet that may be too much after a work day. Ernie, a neighbor who lives next to the Gardens, has graciously provided his shed to store equipment that we will use when gardening. This generous act will really help out and make it easier for Ann and I to continue gardening.


Here's the building in which we will experience some of our "next chapter" as we transition into urban living.  Our apartment is the corner one on the top floor; southwest corner. Plenty of sunshine streams into the apartment. Lake Wingra is only a half block across the street. Experiencing and exploring Lake Wingra is one of my top priorities.

By next month on this date we should be partially settled into our new life phase. We hope those of you in the Madison area will join us on August 20th, the next Prospect Gardens work session as we continue to support the transitions that are such a part of gardening and of life itself.