Recycle Garden at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

 

 

When you visit Hemlock Bluffs, stop by the corner of the courtyard gardens near the far side of the nature center beyond the restrooms.  The staff have created a raised garden using discarded items that otherwise might have been carted off to the landfill.  Buckets, barrels and cans once considered junk are now being reused as planters to beautify this corner of the nature center's gardens.

 

 

Discarded doors separate the garden into an "indoor" side and an "outdoor" side

As you look around the Recycle Garden, you can gather ideas and gaze in wonder at the wonderful creativity of the staff.  See how they have used everyday "cast offs" to embellish this garden.  The staff have been the driving force behind the unique ideas for the containers in the garden.  Many volunteers have helped make the garden a reality.  From Girl Scouts to trail workday volunteers, even preschool volunteers have helped tend this garden.

One of the Preserve's retired wheelbarrows has become a focal point in the Recycle Garden

In some cases, citizens are to thank for the wonderful containers, benches, chairs, buckets, tubs, boots and recycled items in the Recycle Garden.  Folks see the garden, think about what they have in their garage that might augment it and stop by the front desk to offer a donation.  Some really neat items have come into the garden sparked by a conversation at the front desk.

The tire wreath has become a bird's nest wreath!



There is a mix of perennials, ferns, annuals and herbs in the containers in the Recycle Garden.  This is an effort to keep something in the containers year-round.   This also provides a nectar source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, as well as host plants for butterfly caterpillars.  Containers take a lot of watering.  The very large rainwater cistern is used for watering, and the littlest watering volunteers - the Wildflower Watering Club are engaged for watering (preschool children and their parents!).

A Girl Scout prepped, painted and planted these colorful tires, easy cheesy!



Stop by the Recycle Garden and take a look at the wonderful  display soon!