July 25th Weeding Extravaganza

Yesterday... Saturday, July 25, before the heat sit in, a dedicated core of volunteers weeded portions of the gardens. I can't say enough about these individuals who give their time and energy to maintaining these gardens. Bob, another regular, was unable to attend. As usual we received many statements of praises from those passing by on their bikes or on foot. We always need additional hands. So sometimes instead of saying "thank you" I feel like shouting back "come help us", but I refrain from this response.

 The crew (Claudia, Joyce, Laura, Ken and Ann) taking a break and enjoying the Jewish Tarts made by Ann. Note Joyce and Ken are wearing the Southwest Path Steward t-shirt. They are a bright lime green color with a colorful picture of a yellow cone flower.

Ken wacking weeds

Claudia and Joyce weeding the strawberry patch

  Me (Jake) with his gardening apparel including the Stewards of the Path t-shirt. Got to love that hat. It does the trick. Work shoes are made in the USA and from Fleet and Farm.  Jeans are also from Fleet and Farm. Is there an emerging gardening fashion trend here? Work shoes really take a beating from working on rocks. I usually need to buy new shoes after two seasons. So during the upcoming off seasons I might need to visit Fleet and Farm.

So another work session is history.  The sun was hot as Ann and I walked home. I was glad that we were heading home to an air conditioned space while feeling grateful for those who participated in this morning's weeding extravaganza.

Summer Day and Garden Scenes

A warm splendid summer day is ending. The heat of the day is subsiding as dusk turns to darkness. I strolled down to the Prospect Gardens to take these pictures. Met Ken and his young Granddaughter, and she proudly showed me her kart that resembled a small mobile home. She then flipped open the top and pointed out that several toys were missing. They were on their way to the playground.  With a wave and a goodbye, his Granddaughter proceeded down the ramp.


The gardens are almost at their peak. We have are a variety of different flowers, now all contributing to a colorful display, yet each being unique.  A feast for the eyes and the senses.

The Shade Garden

Phlox 

Purple Cone and Cardinal Plant

Large Day Lilly

Phlox and Yellow Coneflower

Rudbeckia

Raspberries and the Joy of Pat's 65 Year Old Bike

Pat Ready to Take a Victory Spin

Pat's Bike

This morning I had a taste for raspberries, while thinking of the patch that is part of the Prospect Gardens. Nearly six years ago the patch went in. Initially I was opposed to the patch because of being concerned about how the plants would spread. I am now so glad, that I acquiesced.

Not only do I now enjoy cereal with raspberries on a summer morning, but the patch has led to very interesting discussions with those who stop to eat the berries. For example, I learned about the era when Indians from throughout the state gathered in the Madison area from a man who was studying Wisconsin Indians. The Madison area was considered sacred and when visiting all disagreements between the various visiting tribes were laid aside. The area was a kind of safe haven for all tribes.  

Back to this morning.  As I approached the steps down to the path, I greeted Pat as she was admiring a plant she donated some years ago.  Pat pointed out her bike leaning against the railing on the opposite side of the path.  She then began a joyful story of how it was her bike that she purchased for $40.00 when she was ten. She was waiting for her husband, Jim, to return with a pump to inflate the tires, which according to Pat, are the originals. A few months ago Pat got the bike out of storage and had a local bike shop give it a well deserved tune-up. Lubrication and a new chain was all that the Schwinn required.

While waiting for Jim, Pat and I admired the bike and shared our joy that it survived to be part of this day. Pat pointed out the original basket, original seat and original handle bars. The grips were replaced once but  the paint is original. She proudly showed me the Oberlin College decal and afterward joyfully sang a few phrases of the school song.  The bike went to Oberlin College with Pat years ago. She rode the bike to her part time job in the town of Oberlin.

 She went on to say that one day somebody stole her bike. A few days later Pat noticed a dorm mate riding her bike on a downtown street.  Pat was so shaken that she couldn't speak and really didn't know what she would do. Later in the day she summoned up her courage and went to the girl's dorm room. Still shaking, Pat could only shout "you stole my bike!",  as she faced the thief.  The bike was returned with nothing else said. Nothing was also said when Pat and the thief returned to Oberlin for their 50th class reunion.

So here we were along the path admiring and sharing the joy of Pat's bike. Jim returned and couldn't find the pump. I went home to get ours. After inflating the tires, Pat went for her spin and I picked raspberries for my breakfast.

 

    

Megan's Donation and Their House

A few days ago Megan, a neighbor, asked if I would want some Jack-in-the-Pulpits for the shade garden that is part of Prospect Gardens.  They are painting their house plus Megan and her husband, Brit, are redoing the flower beds.

Being somewhat unable to say "no" to an offer of plants, I accepted. It was easy to say "yes" because the shade garden has room for more plants. Other sections of the garden are approaching a full status which helps me graciously say "no thank you" to many more donations that I would otherwise accept.

Megan's and Brit's house is one of the oldest in the neighborhood. We have pictures of the house with the original owners gardening on the land that is now our lot and the one between our home and Megan's and Brit's. You can also see open land to the south where the Prospect Gardens are now located. Our home was built in 1926.

So much has changed since then. Yet the charm and grace of this neighborhood continues. 

Shout Outs: Madison City Government

Several Madison City Departments support Prospect Gardens. The Gardens are a source of beauty and tranquility along a busy commuter corridor. The Gardens also produce a lot of plant material as a result of maintaining the habitat. Pictured is a pile from a recent weeding episode. 

A special thank you to Daniel Badertscher and Jim Martinson who always respond to my email asking for a pick-up and the crews who actually do the pickups. Their timely response is so appreciated. So here's a special shout out to them for their contribution to the Gardens

 
 Another special shout out goes to the Madison Water Utility. We have access to city water through a hook up to the nearby fire hydrant . We pay for the hookup and the water at a commercial rate. It's a bargain and a relief to have readily available water.  Each April I call Amy Jones to connect us and in October to disconnect. The Regent and Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Associations spilt the costs.

Two more individuals are deserving of  being included in this special shout.  Tony Fernandez from the City Engineering Department is always available for consultation as well as providing access to others who are involved in maintaining the Southwest Commuter Path. He was instrumental in connecting us with Kathy Cryan and her crews who remove snow from the ramps and the path itself. Kathy was very helpful in altering snow plowing to protect plants.  The orange snow fences that appear in early November are the result of an onsite session with Kathy and another of her staff.

So on this overcast July day, I am mindful of how these individuals and others contribute to the Prospect Gardens. Thank you all.

A Few July Blooms and the Pace of Life

Monarda/Bee Balm

As another wonderful summer day unfolds here are four summer bloomers gracing the Prospect Gardens with their beauty.

Poppy Mallow/ Callirhoe Involucrata

Sometimes I note the difference between the serenity of the flowers and the hectic pace of the speeding bikes on the path. Yet I am pleased to say that some slow down as they pass through the Gardens while they say "thank you" or comment on the flowers.

I appreciate the expression of gratitude as well as how the Gardens contribute to lessening the fast pace of our lives.

Purple Cone

Rudbeckia

Weeds, Talking and Latest Bloomers

Yesterday was another great summer day. Spent the afternoon weeding and talking to neighbors. I always take time from gardening to chat with neighbors and sometimes strangers who stop to ask questions, admire the Gardens, or to enjoy the raspberries.  There will be more raspberries in the coming weeks.Weeding is a constant task. Here's what Carl Sandburg said about weeds.
.

Weeds

From the time of the early radishes

To the time of the standing corn

Sleepy Henry Hackerman hoes.

There are laws in the village against weeds.

The law says a weed is wrong and shall be killed.

The weeds say life is a white and lovely thing

And the weeds come on and on in irresistible regiments.

Sleepy Henry Hackerman hoes; and the village law uttering a ban on

weeds is unchangeable law.

Tiger Eyes

The weeds indeed "come on and on in irresistible regiments" at the Prospect Gardens and we abide by the "unchangeable law". Besides weeding and talking, I planted two Tickseed flowers. I also transplanted a small  Japanese Tiger Eyes, a type of  Sumac that is now yellowish-green and will turn a golden color in the Fall. Since we have no room for another Tiger Eyes in the Gardens, the little plant found a home in Ernie's side yard.


Below are several new bloomers. A few years ago Gene donated the day lilies and the lilies.  Gene once lived in the neighborhood just down the block from the Gardens. Gene grew prize winning day lilies in his backyard. Each summer Gene offered a tour of his spectacular gardens. I miss those tours. One day, Gene was thinning his lilies and he called offering some.  I gladly accepted and immediately fetched them and planted them. I remember it was quite late in the day. By the time I finished the sun had set, night had fallen, and the street light in the northeast corner snapped on. 

Gene's Day Lilly

Lilly and Lupine

Queen of the Prairie

 The lupines shown with the lily are from seeds harvested from another garden along the path. These are rather late bloomers. I am hoping that they spread and they probably will as time goes by.

Queen of the Prairie has spectacular and showy pink blossoms that give off a sweet smell. Bees love them. The parent of the pictured plants came from my backyard and  one was there when we purchased our home in 1986.  I recall that my daughter, Emily, as a child stood on her toes to smell the sweet pink blossoms and a bee stung her nose. She recovered quickly. Since then I have been careful when I want to savor that sweet aroma.

So another summer weekend is passing.  More beautiful rain today which is exactly what the newly seeded lawn on the terrace facing the Gardens needed.