Ground Cover March 2016 [Spring Edition] | Page 6

A New Garden, In Good Taste The latest DABG garden development promises to be a favorite feature. At the very heart of the park lie the foundations of a new and unusual 20,000 square foot garden— The Garden of Eat’n. The garden mission is to demonstrate how attractive Iowa landscapes may include edible produce. In this lovely and productive area, visitors will be invited to sample exotic and everyday berries, fruit, nuts and other perennials growing on trees, bushes and vines. Plantings are scheduled for April 2016. Felderman, Gene Gartner, Dennis yet available for adoption. If you are Hoyer, Tim Rellihan and Kelly Goossen. interested in honoring a loved one Thanks, team! in this way, please contact Sandi for details, 563.556.2100. Bushes for the butterfly garden and beautiful benches have been donated To learn about volunteer in support of this endeavor and will opportunities, please contact be planted/installed as memorials in Sue at 563.556.2100 or the Spring. The blueprints also hold [email protected]. potential for the addition of a showy fountain. A rain garden feature will enhance the north side of the Garden of Eat’n. A triple-size New varieties of strawberries, pergola has been blueberries, elderberries and honey installed and berries will cover the ground. Aronia will serve as the berries of European origin will be acquired from a farm in Oelwein, Iowa. crowning glory for the garden. Grapes, kiwi and hops will compose These and a the vineyard plantings. few remaining Fruit lovers will appreciate potted memorial columnar apple tree specimens, structures are intended for compact patio applications. Cherries, pears, plums and persimmons will also line the HERB SOCIETY OF DUBUQUE 2016 CALENDAR walkways of the Garden of Eat’n. Herb Society Meetings are open to anyone with an interest in the historical significance Imagine the sensory indulgence this of herbs or their cultivation and uses. The Herb Society maintains the Formal Herb selection of blossoming fruit trees will Garden at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Meetings are held the first offer spring visitors! Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. April-November we meet in the DABG Garden No food forest would be complete without a carefully chosen group of trees from the nut family. Heart nut (walnut), pecan and hazelnut varieties will be featured. To enhance the Garden of Eat’n display, select herbs, edible perennial plants and tasty flowers will be planted. Three butterfly gardens will provide pollination stations for beautiful winged creatures. Architect Steve Ulstad has served with exceptional taste in the development of this grand new design. Steve’s enthusiasm, talent and vision have propelled the Garden of Eat’n project. We are grateful for his dedication and the time he has invested to make this garden a reality. We also want to express our appreciation for other key volunteers; Wylie Bledsoe, Don Room. February and March are held offsite. For meeting confirmation, especially in February or March, e-mail Fran Hedeman at: [email protected] or call 563-845-1072. You can also call the DABG office: 563-556-2100. DATE PROGRAM SPONSORED BY March 2 Cooking Class at HyVee Fran April 6 Painting Herbs and Flowers Kristine Thielen May 4 Exploring Honey Michelle Ploessl June 1 Plant and Seed Exchange Mark & Kathy Sand Herbfest Plans Fran Herbfest Project TBA Herb Society “Flea Market” Mark and Kathy JUN E 26 HERBFEST Everyone July 6 Hops/Brewery Tour Kristine Thielen August 3 Garden Pesto (s) Lidia, Angie, Jana September 7 Projects with dried bay, peppers, garlic Lidia, Angie,Sherry, Michelle October 5 Tea Party—Herb Society Blend Chel, Patti, Fran, Sharon November 2 Soup and Planning Everyone 6