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ABOUT THE PROJECT
OUR GARDEN project begins with a simple question. "Can we do something at the animal shelter? Something nice, or nicer...?" asked initiator and animal shelter volunteer, Jennie Orr, of her friends at the INPS (Indiana Native Plant Society) conference in fall of 2023. The answer was a simple,"Yes, we can!"
The initial brainstorming meeting in early December 2023 involved the shelter director Virgil Sauder, volunteer program director Jenny Gibson, volunteer Jenny Orr and Rad Hajek as gardener/garden designer. After the budget approval, the ball started to roll with measuring the site and bringing ideas. We had to figure out the fencing to protect the future planting, such as rope fence, dog urinals, choosing the plant palette, and sourcing the plants.
Our budget for such a fairly big project was limited - 3000 dollars (2500 dollars provided by the Animal Shelter and 500 dollars from the Master Gardener Grant program). The money covered all the material costs and majority of the plant costs. We used landscaping plugs to lower the cost and some plants were donated by US Perennials.
Purchase of the benches wasn't included in our initial budget.
GARDEN DESIGN
There was no specific demand on the design, but these design directions were applied:
- to improve the look of the entrance
- add positive bright colors to an otherwise gray-ish building
- involve the current limestone sculpture
- achieve long flowering season by choosing a wide variety of plants
- lower the future maintenance by planting densely in a naturalistic style (by mimicking natural patterns and processes)
- preference of drought tolerant plants
- increase biodiversity by creating pollinator friendly garden (use of several native plants and their cultivars)
- add annuals for the first season effect
- add seating areas (2 benches)
The current planted area of about 1500 square ft consists of:
- "Lochness Bed" - 509.5 sq ft
- "Main bed" - 763.5 sq ft
- "River rock corner" 200.5 sq ft
- "Small traffic island" 79.5 sq ft
SITE PREPARATION, WORK PROGRESS, PLANTING & FUTURE
We started working on the 1st of March 2024 and finished the project on the 8th of June 2024. We worked usually during the weekends (mostly on Saturdays, sometimes on Sundays) and rarely during the week (covering areas with plastic sheets against the rain).
Original plantings involved several dogwood trees which were repeatedly damaged by dog urine. The turf and corners were mulched with river rocks and a few shrubs.
Before any of the planting could happen, we had to:
- install metal edging
- remove damaged trees
- stripped the turf bit by bit with a kick sod-cutter
- brake the soil with shovels (to pull roots of perennial weeds)
- make the soil ready for planting = spread the leaf compost, some sand and till it in with rototiller
- measure, mark the 3'x3' grid before placing the plants
Planting happened in several sessions, in different-sized teams of volunteers.
The largest main bed was planted on the 12th of May which also included adding rope barriers and composted leaf mulch.
Altogether it was a lot of work, but we believe it was worth it.
FUTURE - Fall of 2024
Revitalize shade bed behind the limestone statue (originally planted by Bloomington Garden Club) removing blight-diseased boxwood, removing invasive plants, replanting with re-use of current perennials, and planting bulbs in all gardens.
General maintenance and weeding helps to support healthy plant development.
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