The Iris Bed

The iris bed at the historic cemetery is complete, and with it the fence garden project is fully complete. The response from the community to the full fence garden project has been incredible. The other day while I was working on the iris bed, a lady stopped her vehicle mid-road to tell me she drives by there every day and she really appreciates the updates on the garden. She went on for a bit – cars were building up behind her. But she really wanted to say thanks! And no one honked to push her along. A gentleman with a little girl on a bike came by that same day, and she must have been prompted, but she said it looked great and said thanks. Very sweet. She parked her bike and they went on to go walk around inside the cemetery. These things matter. Today someone who looked at a home in our development came to the cemetery and thanked us. Very random thing to happen. It is incredible and brings me great joy!

So the iris bed took about 8 hours – the initial dig of five irises from the small garden that was to be moved – the survival test, then the landscape fabric and mulch (and I had awesome help with that!), then weeding along the edge that met the sidewalk – just me wanting a nice end product, then the (digging) move of the rest of the small garden (Thursday and Friday morning), and the final remaining planting (Saturday morning).

I tell you, that iris bed was exactly as muscle wearing and sweaty as I expected. But it was fun to accomplish and I am happy with the results. I had thought about it and planned it and talked with the primary site managers about moving that small garden, and then I had the perfect opportunity – some vacation and a few nice days before the heat returned.

So, I present to you the iris bed – 25 iris holes plus three other plants that were also in that small garden that I moved.

Time to slow the pace. Should be maintenance from here out. Some plant donations are coming for the empty areas on the other side, but should be nothing like that iris garden! That was a “not to be repeated anytime soon” effort 🙂.

Friday night I teased the primary managers of the site – saying I was thinking we should dig out the big garden next year and get that out of the shade and into the sun along the inside of the fence – thinking maybe 300 bags of mulch. I quickly followed up with a JK, to which I received an “oh good!” response. I think we all need a rest!!! It has been fun but A LOT of consistent persistent effort from many people. And for that, and for the opportunity, I am grateful!