The support of those here on this thread is very much appreciated. In addition to the strict photo restrictions I was faced with, the advertising blitz that was pretty horrific at GW, is somewhat reduced now - or at least it is subtle enough that I can largely ignore the ad that takes up about a quarter of the screen on the right. I'm willing to make somewhat regular posts again but after becoming engaged to a wonderful woman this Winter(aptly named Spring, like the season), I don't have the time to share thousands of photos of my gardens. I still have the lust of these great plants, and I've been a busy bee outside, as always. building a greenhouse, extensive new conifer gardens and trails. I didn't acquire many new plants this Winter, both for a lack of funds, for obvious reasons, but also so I could finish transplanting this Winter and then deciding next year how much space I have. What kinds of photo series do people want to see more of? The galleries were far and away the most popular threads I participated in. I'd like to add some more time-lapse series as well though as I have a wealth of older photos that I can share with the new. Support is like fuel for my fire and it was refreshing to read the comments here this morning. -Will

Well summarized Joe. I'll say Will that having a relatively maintance free "garden" is virtually and without question, impossible. You like Dave and folks with immense amounts of plants in a close proximity will always have the 'disadvantage' of hand-weeding and needing to continuously move plants - throughout your entire life-time. A life's project. Re watering: Once your plants are in the ground for two years you shouldn't need to water but every month for dry spells. I rarely water. New trees, however, I will water every three weeks but only if there hasn't been a single drip of rain. Otherwise, they too are only going to get watered, once-monthly. When I do water I water extremely deep. This can take me up to two full days for the probably 400-500 plantings I have. I've created an arboretum for myself and I believe this can be accomplished on the small property, as well. It's all about spacing plants, and 'time'/planned-lifespan, and nothing more. There are enough well-known plants available these days that 30 years ago conifer witch broom hunters were just seeing 10-year growth rates from. That being said, the answer is 'how long do I want this landscape, plan, to be pursued?' Some may say I'm 'lucky' to have six acres, however, for six years I lived on a postmark size property that I "preached" the same 'strategy' of proper plant spacing for a future garden. This is the advantage of being able to garden thru a lifetime aging along with the trees/shrubs and always being able to take care of your gardens throughout your old ages, because conifer gardens along with woody plants as companions allow a person to do this... knowing this at the age of 36 is a blessing in my opinion. My plantings are solitary - however this does not mean that I cannot link them together as beds. All my life I will be able to fill up a tank sprayer with roundup and shoot weeds from the seat of my garden mower, it's that simple for me. The same tank I can use to water, as well. Once a specimen becomes permanetely-established, (remembering I am on six acres) I won't even mulch them. In fact of the hundreds upon hundreds of seedling-conifers I've planted since 2007, almost none of them have I ever mulched. Like you say, I have different "blood" running thru me and am extremely impressed with the fantastic combinations of plants that some of you are able to maintain, for me the same gardens would become a mess because I'm not a "maintenance gardener" - flowers are beyond my realm of possibilty. Instead, my showplace is an arboretum/pinetum setting, where I can evaluate different species or cultivars within this setting... that also allows the plants to grow to absolute maturity. The minimum I space my individual plants, in time, is 50 years. Most however, are spaced for 100 years or a lifetime. My closing thoughts are, this will also be a "garden" with the attached label of, an arboretum. Time will be of the essence, here... trees will take shape and provide interest, quickly; and the rest of the mini's and dwarfs will show their presence during the next 5-100+ years. ------------- Dax

Ken, both dogs were waiting at home... I doubt that Edwin would be happy to see the two red madness devil in his Pinetum:)) They love to run across my meadow, while I work with my plants... There, they are now a lot of space... and they will do not interfere me... I am willing to expect a Christmas without presents! This trip was the best gift for me... Edwin, I did not know that "secret pictures" can not be published. Supposed to warn me:). But but now all eagerly waiting for news from you!!:) David, of course, the trailer was covered with special tarpaulin... Soon I will post the first pictures from my new project. It does go slowly and in the large meadow all trees is lost somewhere....:) But this is only the beginning... Ireena

This is by far the most snow I've ever seen in Chicago. Storm totals of over 20 inches are being reported. My downtown Chicago office is closed for the day for only the second time in my 38 years there. I have drifts of over 4 feet in height crossing my driveway. Tonight it is supposed to go below zero so the snow will insulate my perennials nicely. The worst thing, however is that my heat went out this morning. The air intake on the furnace became clogged with drifted snow and after I cleared the intake the furnace would still not run. I called my heating contractor and he said he cannot make any service calls today; the roads are impassable. Fortunately, we have electricity and we can run a space heater. I hope that it is adequate until the service can get here. The birds are huddled in the shrubs near the feeders. I counted 10 cardinals at one point today. It is getting brighter and the wind which had been over 50 mph seems to be dying down. It's a good day to stay in and look at catalogs and old pics. Think Spring! Mark