Forest Gardening PART I

happy_jamma in Randle,

My husband & I have lived in the forest since 2006 and we are in the process of embellishing our property. My DRAGONFLY FOREST GARDEN will be a playfully lush place for dragonflies, fairies and grandchildren.
I will add photos as we make progress on a project that will probably take many, many years to complete.
Janet Drake

Firepit Flower Close-ups Forest Garden Fun for Kids Garden Hardscape Huge (Half Acre Plus ) Large (5,000 - 10,000 sq ft.) Other Yard Water-Wise

1 of 30: This 2009 photo of the garden shed shows the proximity of my forest garden to our home.

2 of 30: Thanksgiving 2008. On the deck of the Kids' Cabin is a launch for the ZIP LINE which my 5 year of grandson loves.

3 of 30: Our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter is fearless on the zip line... not to mention independent about pulling it back to the launch pad.

4 of 30: March 8, 2010. We just completed two short trails made of Fir rounds.

5 of 30: WHAT'S THIS? It's going to be a Cowboy Cabin! Instead of lumber for the support posts, Von cut down small trees then peeled off the bark.

6 of 30: March 8, 2010. William, our youngest grandson, likes to help his Grampa....

7 of 30: March 22, 2010. We're using Fir rounds as a border for the stone pad Von laid in the Fall of '09. The rounds were laid in cement to make them secure for little feet to walk upon.

8 of 30: April 24, 2010. The Cowboy Cabin is starting to take shape. We'll also put a campfire ring in this open spot in the forest.

9 of 30: June 1, 2010 Mother nature is finally gracing our forest with the Spring surprises. I've planted Columbines here and there in sunny spots.

10 of 30: All of the plants in this photo are native to our area but I had to buy some Vanilla Leaf (right corner) to get it started in Dragonfly Forest.

11 of 30: Orange Azalea blossoms along my forest trail make me feel joyous every time I walk by them. This plant is much happier since I moved it from the yard to the forest.

12 of 30: Another Azalea I transplanted from the yard is also VERY HAPPY.

13 of 30: I transplanted this wild False Solomon's Seal into Dragonfly Forest.

14 of 30: June 16, 2010 With the excessive Spring rain, my hubby has had lots of time for the inside finish work on the Cowboy Cabin.

15 of 30: July 26th. The Cowboy Cabin is finished! Now we just need to get our grandchildren here for a few nights of roughing-it.

16 of 30: Want building plans for this cheap garden chair? It's designed to be build out of an old pallet! Contact me and I'll e-mail the step-by-step directions!

17 of 30: An old porch swing that hasn't seen daylight in a few years is now looking for swingers in Dragonfly Forest. It proudly hangs from a new HUBBY-hewn log stand!

18 of 30: Pachysandra is NOT supposed to be on the deers' Favorite Foods List so I'm trying some in my forest garden.

19 of 30: August 15, 2010 No time to sit... but I truly enjoyed planting a new variety of bleeding hearts around the outside of the fir rounds.... BURNING HEARTS!

20 of 30: Our private road passes this s/w corner where I've planted a Clematis 'Rooguchi' to grow up the rustic obelisk that Von built.

21 of 30: September 7th and it's almost chow time at the Cowboy Cabin.

22 of 30: How sweet it is!!!

23 of 30: September 9th. This is my Birthday present from my sweet hubby, Von. It's a mini outhouse....

24 of 30: I'm going to have to make sure the grandchildren understand it's ONLY ORNAMENTAL. :)

25 of 30: Six year old Isabella spent 5 days alone with us in December. Despite bitterly cold weather we enjoyed the forest while she was with us.

26 of 30: This big winter puddle is perfectly located next to the Cowboy Cabin.

27 of 30: All the kids LOVE to feel the bear pelt.

28 of 30: Warming up by the wood stove.

29 of 30: It's COOKIE TIME and Flash wants his fair share.

30 of 30: It's these treasured moments that make ALL THE HARDEST WORK so worth it. -THE END

Comments / Questions

Love what you have done! We also, albeit on a much smaller scale, are trying to create a woodlands wonderland for our grandkids. Once you cleared the underbrush did a lot of the native plants emerge or did you find you had to plant to fill in the bare spots?

This is paradise! You have created a haven for your grandchildren and yourselves, you should be so proud. Stunning!

I love the cowboy cabin! Where did you get the iron stuff for over the fire? Would love that for mine to cook. I only have one little corner of woods,but you have given me ideas once I get rid of the poison ivy.

WOW, Love it all. So many great ideas, I can't wait for spring to try a few of them out. Thanks for sharing !

Show 8 more comments

Add Comment or Question

Login to add comments.