Quilt Gardens Tour

One might assume R & R to mean rest and relaxation, however in this case you would be mistaken. Our weather seems to be signaling an early fall season.  Cool days and even cooler nights send many messages to our landscape plants.  A hormonal shift occurs and the rapid growth of summer changes to seed setting and in many species spring bud development.

In the forest leaves fall and decay over the winter months providing a rich layer of humus packed with essential nutrients, micro-organisms and organic material.  This brings me to the first “R” in the title, Rejuvenation.  Mother Nature has set a well developed plan for successful gardening in this example. Fall is the best time to add soil amendments to the garden. Especially when adding organic materials such as compost or well rotted manure which mellows over winter “Rejuvenating” the garden which may have been depleted of minerals over the long growing season. Without this critical step many sites would look like a dust bowl of days gone by being unable to sustain new growth.

The second “R” represents “Re-evaluation”. Each Quilt Garden will re-evaluate their sites based on how each plant preformed in a given location.  The savvy gardener will carefully note the success or failure of each cultivar for future consideration in their garden. In the forest this process of re-evaluation is carried out through natural selection. The plants and trees that best compete for sun and moisture will gain the privilege of inclusion in nature’s garden thus ensuring its survival as a species.

With so many choices to make about rejuvenation and re-evaluation of each Quilt Garden you can be assured there will be no rest or relaxation for the decision makers of the Quilt Garden Tour.

-Vickie Estep, Master Gardener

I’ve heard it said that anyone can have a beautiful spring garden but it’s difficult to have a stellar garden in the punishing heat of August.  While that may be true in my garden it is certainly not the case for the Quilt Garden Tour.  Most of the gardens are in spectacular form thanks to the dedicated work of many local gardeners who make their Quilt Gardens a priority.  With so many flowers to tend to these Quilt Garden guardians have put in many hours of backbreaking labor.

Last week was considered to be a peak viewing time for the Quilt Garden Tour.  Many of the annuals that were planted so many months ago have now reached their optimum growth and are showing off their Sunday best blooms.  Many regional artists came to town last weekend putting brush to canvas to capture the beauty that is unique to The Quilt Garden Tour.  Dubbed the Plein-Air Paint Out this first ever outdoors art event is yet another example of the unique opportunities Elkhart County Amish Country promises to visitors.

It is amazing to me to see how many visitors have been drawn to our area by this unique garden display.  Bus tours have poured into the county in droves bringing with them much needed revenue for local shop owners.  We have seen visitors from all across the United States and even many foreign countries.  With so many new impressions to be made each day it is lucky for us that Elkhart County residents display Hoosier Hospitality in abundance.

- Vickie Estep, Master Gardener

Each quilt garden site has it’s own very special challenges.  Many of the gardens have been elevated for optimum viewing which brings the challenge of effective watering practices.  The plants at the top may dry out more quickly due to the enhanced run off created by steep slopes.  Other sites seem to have poor topsoil due to the lack organic humus or compost.  Northern Indiana tends to have a fair amount of sandy loam.  This is great for drainage but not so for moisture retention and nutrition of ornamentals.  Even with the best fertilization schedule plants may fail to thrive if the soil is deficient.

August promises dog days of intense heat and pop up thunderstorms. Each garden will have to endure blazing sun, the ravages of hard rains and possible high winds.  In addition to these challenges (as if that were not enough) fungal diseases, insects and animals all have the potential to frustrate even the seasoned gardener.

A case in point is the quilt garden at the Elkhart County Fair Grounds.  The sumptuous red heart at the top of the garden was severely damaged in a night raid by raccoons.   The next morning the heart was no more than a few remaining begonias at the fringes of the pattern.  This garden is tended by the Michiana Master Gardeners who quickly set traps to catch the ring-tailed menace.  Alas only one of the fairground barn cats ventured into the trap.  There was no sign of injury to the kitty, which was of course quickly repatriated to the fair grounds to hunt for mice another day.  The flowers have been replaced and the heart is once again looking healthy and lush.

If your garden gives you reason for concern and you just can’t figure it out remember that the Michiana Master Gardeners Association hosts a hot line in the Elkhart County Extension Office to help you with just such challenges.  Our Master Gardener motto is “Helping Others Grow” and we invite you to put our words to the test!

-Vickie Estep, Master Gardener

I had the opportunity to view most of the quilt gardens again last week and I’m hard pressed to choose a favorite. There are of course several that stand out in my mind. I love the garden at the Das Essenhaus. The “Center Diamond” pattern has proven to be a spectacular choice. Their choice of plant material is stunning.

I’m also partial to the “Flower Basket” at Ruthmere Mansion. They chose to include Telstar Dianthus, which is performing beautifully. This garden is patterned after a quilt in their private collection, which adds to the historic relevance of the garden. I only wish they would have elevated it for better viewing.

Another favorite is the one at the Old Bag Factory named “A Birds Eye View”. Designer Shirley Shenk out did herself with this pattern. I am anxiously awaiting the periscope installation that will give us the superior view promised in the pattern name.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention “Recovery” at the McCormick Golf Course in Nappanee. This community endured almost total destruction last year during the tornado season and now this garden reminds us that where disaster strikes beauty will return to erase the ill-fated memories best left behind. This is the only garden using Coleus and it appears to be a stunner! It really adds contrast and interest to the saw tooth border that surrounds the design.

We’ll see how the season plays out but if the early views of the quilt gardens are any indication it will be hard to choose a favorite. I‘d like to see the addition of a viewer’s choice award so that the public could vote on their favorite gardens. Perhaps someone at the ECCVB might be able to add it to their website. Now wouldn’t that be fun?

- Vickie Estep, Master Gardener

My friend John who also happened to graduate from the same Master Gardener training class I did once said I had a sickness.  A gardening sickness that is.  I think my husband agrees but he loves me anyway.  God bless the spouse of a gardener because they quickly learn that rain or shine they know where to find us.  I love being outdoors.  That’s one of the many things I really appreciate about the Quilt Garden Tour.  I can enjoy the outdoors, many beautiful gardens, chat with my friends and shop in places I don’t usually visit.  It’s a win win for me!

I have been to most of the gardens three times now since they’ve been planted.  I take pictures each time I visit so I can see the growth comparison at the end of each trip.  It is amazing how quickly most of the gardens have flourished to fill in the empty space so visible the first two visits.  Now the patterns can be clearly recognized as quilt blocks. After speaking with a few of the business owners it is clear that theirs is a labor of love and dedication not just to the business they hope to bring in but to the art of the gardens.

I must also confess that the Agri-garden at Meadow Brook Farm that I had so much doubt about is really quite impressive.  Yes, the soybeans are not cooperating due to the cool wet spring however the other crops are up and great fun.  While I was there yesterday a new miniature donkey colt named Gus was in the pasture (with mom in tow) next to the garden.  It was his first day out of the barn since he was born two weeks ago.  It was cool and windy that day but Gus didn’t care.  He had found his legs and kicked up his heels to celebrate.  This farm is truly unique and a gem in Elkhart County’s crown.  While you are there consider taking the tour of the farm house which is soon to be featured in Midwest Living magazine.  The farm has a grand history and a story to match.

Vickie Estep, Master Gardener

Check out these planting pictures from the Middlebury KOA Campground Quilt Garden called “Step of Faith”

First, thank you ALL for your kind comments left on our blog! We appreciate the feedback and we’re thrilled that so many of you have already enjoyed the Quilt Gardens Tour and plan to visit again this year!

And the winner of the Quilt Gardens Tour Official Tote Bag for May is:

Audrey Nelson

Congratulations Audrey! We’ll get your Quilt Gardens Tour Tote Bag right out to you
Be sure to visit back soon, we have another fun giveaway planned!

Help us spread the word about the 2009 Quilt Gardens Tour. Each month we’re giving away a special prize to one of the posters on this blog.

This month’s prize is a cute embroidered off-white canvas official Quilt Gardens Tour tote bag that measures 17 X 11.

To win this month’s prize, just post a comment on this post (below) before midnight May 31, 2009.

Each month one lucky winner will be notified by email and their name will be posted here on the Quilt Gardens Tour blog. Post your comment today!
Read the full rules here.

First, thank you ALL for your kind comments left on our blog! We appreciate the feedback and we’re thrilled that most of you have already enjoyed the Quilt Gardens Tour and plan to visit again!

And the winner of the Quilt Gardens Tour Official Note cards is:

Cathy Safiran

Congratulations Cathy! We’ll get your note cards right out to you.
Be sure to visit back soon, we have another fun giveaway planned!