Nearly 20 of West Windsor’s gardeners are opening up their gardens on Saturday, June 25, as part of the second annual GroWW (Greening of West Windsor) Garden Tour. They’re ready to answer questions on subjects from flowers and vegetables to composting and fighting deer, and inspire all to do some planting. The free self-guided tour runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maps are available at www.GreeningWestWindsor.com, West Windsor Arts Center, West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, and West Windsor Library.
4 Kingsley Court: Self-Made Gardeners. Those stopping at 4 Kingsley Court will meet Lisa Wren. When she and her husband, Christopher, bought their home in 2005, the yard had little more than one peony, a forsythia shrub, some rhododendrons, and a few mature trees. Since then, the self-taught gardeners have transformed part of their back yard into an array of sun and shade gardens using low-maintenance plants.
One favorite is knock-out roses. “They grow fast enough that deer don’t do much damage, bloom for months, and are available in a range of colors,” says Lisa. Gardeners may be afraid to try English and old garden roses, but the Wrens have found varieties that require little maintenance.
A clematis plant now clambers up a myrtle tree in their yard, blooming until just about the point when the tree takes over. Walker’s Low looks like lavender and pairs nicely with roses. Lilies (Asiatic and Orienpet species) also require little care but deliver big impact in the garden. Wren likes hostas for shade — and their deer tend to ignore the blue-leaf variety. A patch of autumn fern grows under a cluster of white birch trees, with the ferns’ orange foliage providing a bright spot in the fall, and painted ferns grow under old oak trees. Hardscaping with boulders and bluestone paths add interest.
Wren has many suggestions for easy-care gardening. “There is nothing in our garden that is high-maintenance,” she says. “If I can do it, anyone can do it.” Like other gardeners, she has made plenty of mistakes. And when a plant needs more space or otherwise isn’t happy, the solution is usually pretty easy — move it.
11 Penn Lyle Road: Peace And Quiet. Mike and Ruth Potts have turned the backyard off 11 Penn Lyle Road into an oasis of calm. They have created a woodland garden hidden behind their house and ferns, hostas, astilbe, foxglove, and some native plants such as shooting stars, a white and pink wildflower that blooms early in the spring. “When you come into the backyard, it can be very quiet,” says Ruth. “It’s so peaceful that you don’t know there’s a busy road nearby.”
56 North Mill Road: Learning From Masters. The former home of a master gardener, at 56 North Mill Road, will be on display. New owners Annette Osterlund and Mike Ruderman are learning that so much more grows here than in Boulder, Colorado. Annette is also discovering how newspaper can be used to suppress weeds (also more plentiful). Ask her how, enjoy the flowers, shrubs, and trees chosen to entice birds and butterflies — but discourage deer. Follow her adventures at newbie-nj-gardener.blogspot.com.
533 Village Road West: Ask A Girl Scout. Composting tips and tricks will be demonstrated by Girl Scout Dhara Mehta. “Compost is better for the soil than other fertilizers, plus it’s free and can reduce your household trash by half,” she said. She will be answering questions at 533 Village Road West, a home owned by Ed Haemmerle that showcases many other environmental features such as solar roof panels, geothermal heating and cooling, solar thermal for hot water, rainwater-harvesting and a white (cool) roof. And yes, there’s an electric car, for those who missed a chance to see it at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market.
Other Attractions. Compost sites may also be seen at 56 North Mill Road, 11 Penn Lyle Road, 34A Berrien Avenue and 27 Melville Road.
One of the hits of last year’s garden tour, sub-irrigated containers for growing vegetables, will be demonstrated at the West Windsor Community Garden on Clarksville Road. It’s easy to build a planter that retains water in the base and uses a standard storage container. Vegetable gardens may also be seen at 409 Village Road East, 530 Village Road West, 533 Village Road West, 922 Alexander Road, 16 Scott Avenue, 27 Melville Road, and West Windsor Community Garden. Fruit trees line the driveway of 131 South Mill Road.
See how to include sculptures and other artwork in a flower garden by visiting the community garden at the corner of Canal Pointe Boulevard and Emmons Drive, maintained by Ron LeMahieu. “Buy sculpture that speaks to you and once you get it into the garden, plant around it with plants that are appropriate for the particular sculpture,” says LeMahieu.
A backyard that has been certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat will be on display at 5 Scott Avenue. To meet with the NWF’s approval, it must meet certain criteria for providing food, water, and cover, as well as a place for animals to raise their young.
GroWW is a volunteer group of West Windsor residents who have worked together for three years to highlight the environmental practices of businesses, government agencies, and community groups. The main focus of GroWW is to educate the public on energy conservation, recycling options, and sustainability practices. Committee members include Heidi Kleinman, Lynnie Sharma, Debra Wolosky, Silvia Ascarelli, Sue Abbey, Jeff Tryon, Marlene Gordon, Ed Haemmerle, and Rani Kronthal-Sacco.
GroWW Garden Tour, Greening of West Windsor, Vaughn Drive parking lot, West Windsor. Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 609-989-5662. www.greeningwestwindsor.com.
Self-guided tour of two dozen private gardens, large and small, with flowers, vegetables, or exotic plants. While most are located in the Berrien City and Dutch Neck neighborhoods, there are gardens throughout the town. Visit website for locations. The opening reception for an art exhibit at the West Windsor Arts Council will be held in conjunction with the tour. See story below.
