Coming up Roses

Carol Freshley April 11, 2022

If you love roses, there is no such thing as too many of them. How about walking through a rose garden that has approximately 9,000 rose bushes! That is what you will find at the Mesa Community College Rose Garden, a partnership between Mesa-East Valley Rose Society and MCC. It is the largest public rose garden in the desert southwest, open 24/7 and free to stroll at your own pace and enjoy the roses. There are signs with phone numbers that you can call to get more information on the roses as you walk the garden.

The best months to visit the garden are March, April, May, June, November and December. During the other four months the roses are pruned (not blooming). Our team of six (Tom, Phyllis, Karen, Steve, Jon and I) actually managed to show up on a day they were irrigating the flower beds! No worries, however, we plan on going back. Please enjoy our sample from hundreds of rose images captured.

Humble Earth Garden

Carol Freshley November 4, 2017

This is what happens when passion and heart meet up with perseverance and hard work. What you see here is an 'eye' for the 'possibility' of creating something bordering on miraculous. Welcome to the Humble Earth Garden. This special sanctuary is certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. This is the creation of Monica, supported by her husband Steve and when possible her children. It has about been in process for about 20 years. Monica mentioned that she and Steve don't go out much. They would rather stay home. I understood. I did not want to leave.

Video taken by Steve Boutte. Music was created in Garage Band. The other videos are without sound.

Tom and I were invited to see the garden.  There had been some very heavy rain before we arrived.  Nonetheless, the garden was spectacular. — Tom and I were invited to see the garden. There had been some very heavy rain before we arrived. Nonetheless, the garden was spectacular.

Video created by Monica Boutte.

Video created by Monica Boutte.

Video created by Monica Boutte.

Video created by Monica Boutte.

Video created by Monica Boutte.

Monica's garden shed.  Good night. — Monica's garden shed. Good night.

A Daughter's Garden

Carol Freshley April 26, 2016

I have watched Brynn grow as her garden has grown. It all started about three years ago. At first the garden was small, orderly and productive. Now it is a veritable jungle, takes up much more space and is uber productive. She is ably assisted by her best friend Tim. He inspires her and then delivers on his encouragement by helping her keep it up. I may be assuming here, but bet he does a lot of heavy lifting!

A gift of love from Brynn's garden.  We took it all home. — A gift of love from Brynn's garden. We took it all home.

Brynn met us at the door with sweat and dirt all over her. She radiated happiness and life. She proudly helped us find interesting photo opportunities. You see, she now practices skillful neglect in her garden. This means that plants are allowed to go to seed in place (she collects the seed for next year). It also means that her seasons overlap more than the usual garden. The tall plants protect the smaller new growth. You are likely to find carrots anywhere in the garden. She does not use insecticide, relying instead on pinching off offending predators, loving any visiting lizards and praying mantis.

Shaded by a palm, there are seeding lettuces and, as I recall, some squash coming up underneath.

I could never get my broccoli to grow past March.  This head seems perfectly happy at the end of April! — I could never get my broccoli to grow past March. This head seems perfectly happy at the end of April!

Why plant petunias when you can have this?  She actually has started a garden in the front yard.  Gorgeous and productive. — Why plant petunias when you can have this? She actually has started a garden in the front yard. Gorgeous and productive.

Brynn is happy to take your egg shells.  They add nutrients to her organic garden. — Brynn is happy to take your egg shells. They add nutrients to her organic garden.

Well hidden!  Bright color helps land it in a salad bowl. — Well hidden! Bright color helps land it in a salad bowl.

Baby cauliflower, doing well in a shaded corner.

We grazed as we explored the undergrowth.  A white carrot with a big bite out of it! — We grazed as we explored the undergrowth. A white carrot with a big bite out of it!

Palm trunk, used strategically to shade plants.

Tom smiled and asked me if I remembered having one of these. Yes!

My mom loved gardening and I remember many gardens that she tended as I grew up. She shared her love and advice with Brynn and would have loved to be with us as we spent time in Brynn's garden. Mom always said that her kids turned out pretty good because she raised them with 'skillful neglect'. Brynn seems to get that! There is even a tall 'true' weed growing in her garden. I did not see her pull it before we left! We were given a pair of scissors and a big pan to collect what we wanted to take home with us. "Stay away from plants that are seeding" she said. "They tend to be bitter, but I like them that way too!" Me too.