Rhododendron carolinianum

Brunnera

Clematis 'Pink Flamingo'

Dicentra 'King of Hearts'

Dicentra 'Aurora'

Euphorbia 'Bonfire'

Strawberries!

Chives

Pansies

Iris sibirica

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

Locals 43 and 24 finishing the sauna addtion exterior

Making the forms for our slab

The slab must be level

A job well done!

While the Union guys were seeing to their tasks, our crews lead by Readco Landscaping, were busy working on the sitting wall and patio under the watchful eye of our Director and camera crew. Construction had to be halted from time to time, but Readco did a great job staying on schedule.

Our Director would not miss a shot

At times it feels like fish in a fishbowl

Sometime during the afternoon hours on Wednesday, a woman walked down into the backyard carrying two large plastic containers. We were use to friends stopping by at this point, but could not imagine what she was bringing by. Maureen, and her family, are good friends with the Borovicka’s, and she began to tell us of the many times John had been to their house to help with repairs and projects. Tears filled her eyes as she told us of John’s generosity, and that she had brought us cookies and peanut butter bars to say thanks for all that we were doing. Her story warmed our hearts, and the treats were delicious. Unknowingly though, she had broken one of the rules of dealing with contractors and stray dogs; If you feed them they might never leave!

As the stories and visits continued a renewed sense of what we were really there for kept us focused on finishing on time, and the wrap party planned for the end of the week.

Check back in to see what else lay in store for the Borovicka backyard!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

These are the stories Linda Borovicka began to share with us as we began work on her backyard. Each story bringing a smile, and at the same, causing a sinking feeling that came from deep within. We have caught only a glimpse of the person John Borovicka was, but it was clear he was special.

Day one of the shoot was a mix of setting up camera shots and interviewing the principles. Our host, Fox 61’s Sarah Cody would be leading us through the week interviewing vendors, and checking in with me from time to time for updates on the project. My job is to create the overall layout of the project, schedule the work, apprise the camera crew of who they would be interviewing and filming each day, making sure materials arrive as needed, and keeping the Fox61 people up to date on the progress. Although it seems like a lot of work, my job has been easy, thanks to the fantastic efforts of each of the following parties involved;

Our Host Sarah checks here notes with two of our producers.

Dunning Sand and Gravel would be supplying all the hardscape materials. Readco management is supplying the labor needed to install the patio, grade and excavate, site cleanup, and just about everything else needed, including a couple of special projects at my request. More about those in a later post. Salem Country Gardens would supply the planting plan, the plants and the planting labor. Carefree Small Buildings a 10 x 12 shed. Giant Oak Power is supplying a Mower, and Big Y, food for the wrap party. We received a few last minute and surprise gifts, and we’ll find out about those later also.

Ben from Dunning Sand and Gravel chats with Drew from Readco about the upcoming week.

Our Director John, Checks the footage of the tree work.

Our job meeting the previous Friday with the principle contractors had gone well, and I had sensed that this group would be great team to work with. Not wanting to step on their generosity, I had laid out my ideas and rough schedule, and waited anxiously for Monday to arrive. What I found out, is that I had underestimated the generosity of this group. Here we were on day one, and already Dunning Sand and Gravel was dropping off a dumpster and a mini-excavator, and Readco had had called in Sullivan Tree Experts, to remove an oak that stood in the way of John’s patio (both companies had already kicked in more than they had pledged). I knew instantly that this would be an exciting week!

With the tree work finished and rain moving in, we cleaned up and headed home.

Check back in to follow our story, as we Honor a local hero from Vernon, CT!

I hope you find special people to build your team with!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

The recently finished addition.

John Borovicka was a master carpenter with the Carpenters Union, Local 43. He was a doting father to Bethany and Kimmie, father-in-Law to Sid, and loving husband to Linda. He plied his trade during the day building bridges and working on various construction projects throughout Connecticut for O&G Industries. On nights and weekends over the years, John built the house the family lived in, the deck and gazebo they dined and relaxed on, and landscaped the yard they played in. John’s efforts didn’t stop with the family home though, as he regularly helped out neighbors, friends and family with any project they needed help on. He volunteered with Christmas in April, his Church, drove the High School Band instruments on trips, and brought his daughters to dance class, even dancing with them every once in a while. John was proud family man, and a devoted community volunteer. And, unbeknownst to him, he was soon to be a grandfather. Last fall John began working on the last part of the yard.

The patio area.

After recently completing an addition in which they placed a sauna, John had intended to construct a patio and sitting wall just outside. He prepped the area, did some drainage work, and put away his tools as winter began to set in. The plan was to get right back at it this spring, but tragically in November, John lost his life in a workplace accident. The patio and steps would remain unfinished, the family would lose the center of their world, and the community would lose a hero.

Here is where our story begins, as Kimmie Borovicka napped on the couch with the TV on. She awoke to hear the announcer say something about a Backyard Makeover contest, but didn’t hear the details. She ran to tell her mother and sister, and after a thorough search, they found the Fox61 website and sent in a picture and an essay. All this, one week before the contest began.

Bethany, Linda, and Kimmie, outside the addition.

The Borovickas entry was selected as one of three finalists, and their story was posted on the website to allow fans to vote for the winner. After a week of voting the Borovickas, with over half of the vote, were declared the winners. In just two short weeks, the Borovickas, still grieving from their loss, went from wondering what they would do with this unfinished area, to welcoming in our crews to carry on John’s work. It is our hope that what we provide, will in some small way give them comfort as they remember a great man.

In upcoming posts, we’ll find out exactly what the Borovickas have won, meet the contractors that will finish the work John started, and create their Ultimate Backyard.

I hope you all have a hero to lean on,

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

Now please stop over at May Dreams Gardens To see what’s blooming there and in the many other Bloom Day bloggers gardens!

Have a great Tax Day!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

Finding a few minutes to unwind is one of the simple things that can keep you sane during the busy season, and I was rewarded not only by the downtime and cooler weather, but with a few other surprises as well.

I caught the first glimpses of our resident bats, as they dashed back and forth against the evening sky, catching all manner of insects. They no doubt are hungry, as they have fasted for the winter during their hibernation. We have been worried that we might not see them again as most of the larger bat communities in the east are succumbing to White nose syndrome (Read more about it here –  http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html), but each spring we are relieved to see them return.

Big-Eared Bat (picture from U.S. Fish and wildlife website)

The spring peepers were in full chorale, hoping to find a mate. Stop by www.Naturesound.com to learn more about them and to hear their soothing sound!

A male peeper singing for a mate! (Photo from Naturesound.com)

In the distance, to top off the evening, a whippoorwill sung his melodic song over and over again. It isn’t every night we get to hear a whippoorwill, and when we do it’s never from the same location. It moves around from a small field to the southwest of us to somewhere off east of the house tonight. Whippoorwill populations are declining across the northeast, as their habitat continues to disappear. Visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, read more about them and even hear their beautiful song.

Whippoorwill (photo from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Tonight was a rare treat, and I’m glad found a few minutes to enjoy our local friends of nature before they’re gone. I hope you find the time to stop and enjoy some of nature’s wonders.

I bid you Peace!

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

Recently I have been reminded of this, as the Cherry Trees in our area begin to blossom. More specifically Weeping Pink Cherries, Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’. I don’t like Weeping Pink Cherries. More specifically, I don’t like the “cute” little umbrella shape that has come to identify this once natural beauty.

Prunus 'Snow Fountain' - White form

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'

An umbrella is not the natural form of this species, but is a weeping species grafted onto a standard (or trunk) of another cherry species.

Graft of weeping cherry onto a standard

It has become ubiquitous, it is everywhere.

Weeping Cherry planted together

Every once in a while though, an older specimen is encountered and the question arises, “Why do we mess with Mother Nature?”

The beautiful Graceful habit of an old specimen!

It may take time to reach this size, but it's worth the wait!

Which form do you prefer?

All the best,

Scott

www.blueheronlandscapes.com

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