SG544: Day Three Highlights from the 2016 Garden Bloggers Fling

Gail Eichelberger, Clay and Limestone (http://www.clayandlimestone.com)

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Gail, out of curiousity, what’s one of your favorite natives to grow?

Time Stamp 12:15

Julie Thompson Adolf, Garden Delights (http://gardendelights-sc.com)

Time Stamp: 13:10

Diana Kirby, Sharing Natures Garden (http://www.sharingnaturesgarden.blogspot.com/)

Time Stamp: 15:55

Helen Battersby, Toronto Gardens (http://www.torontogardens.com)

Time Stamp: 19:15

What advice would the ladies have for new bloggers who wish to attend next year’s Fling?

Time Stamp: 22:25

First up on day three was Como Park. You guys saw the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden and then the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. Thoughts on both, ladies?

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The next stop was Marge Hols fabulous garden. Marge is the dean of garden writers in St. Paul and she happens to live on Summit Avenue – one of the grandest, historic streets in Minnesota. It’s like Prairie Avenue in Chicago, Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, and Fifth Avenue in New York City. In fact, the Governor’s mansion is just two blocks from Marge’s home.

Time Stamp: 46:50

The garden of Lee and Jerry Shannon. This was named one of the five best gardens in the Twin Cities.

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Next up on the itinerary was lunch at Bailey’s Display Garden. You were fortunate enough to meet the folks behind Easy Elegance roses, First Editions shrubs and perennials and Endless Summer hydrangeas. The Bailey family has been growing and selling plants in Minnesota (and far beyond!) for three generations. 

Time Stamp: 1:06:30

After lunch, you headed east to Afton to see Squire House Gardens. This privately owned garden shop in tiny Afton is located in an old house with formal and casual gardens around it. Squire House specializes in unusual plants and accessories for home and garden.

Squire House is owned by garden designer Martin Stern who describes his style as “English, but not formal.” The paths in the garden intersect at right angles and there’s also a vegetable garden that demonstrates ideas on trellising. Martin is a master at placing art and structures in the garden.

Time Stamp: 1:10:25

The final stop of the fling was actually in Wisconsin at the Wouterina de Raad Mosaic Sculpture Park and Garden.  The fling coordinators wrote on the itenary that “They may have saved the best for last!”

This private garden and sculpture park is a unique marvel in midwest gardening. There are over 100 mosaic sculptures that Wouterina has created and displays in her expansive garden in Beldenville, Wis.

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Why is the fling such an important event for garden bloggers?

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Garden blogging for most folks starts as a hobby. How did you guys get started blogging?

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The other skill that most garden bloggers practice is photography. Where are you at in terms of mastery of photography? What camera do you use and what apps do you like?

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There’s a ton of photos to go through after a fling. How do you handle the post production?

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How do you decide what to blog about first after an event like the fling?

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Why don’t we close by having everyone talk about where we can find each of you online and any upcoming events you guys have.

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