Difference between revisions of "Green alley garden"

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<small>return to [[green alley]]</small>
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<small>return to [[green garage gardens]]</small>
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[[Image:alley before construction.jpg|thumb|left|350px|The alley before construction]]
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[[Image:alley after construction.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The alley after construction]]
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== Garden Design and Plant Selection ==
 
== Garden Design and Plant Selection ==
  
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In 2008, when we decided to develop a green alley bordered with garden beds, a garden group formed with the purpose of selecting plants and designing the beds. The Green Garage has set a goal of 90% Michigan native plants around the building, and the alley meets that goal. Most of the plants in the beds are native to Michigan, with the exception of spring bulbs and a few annuals that will keep the color going all year. Native plants are desired because they are suited to Michigan's climate, with our wet springs and dry July-August period. They are bug resistant and disease resistant and need far less watering than non-natives. We consulted a number of gardening books, including [http://www.amazon.com/American-Horticultural-Society-Encyclopedia-Garden/dp/0789419432 A - Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants],  
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In 2008, when we decided to develop a green alley bordered with garden beds, a garden group formed with the purpose of selecting plants and designing their placement in the beds. The Green Garage has set a goal of 90% Michigan native plants around the building, and the alley meets that goal. Most of the plants in the beds are native to Michigan, with the exception of spring bulbs and a few annuals that will keep the color going all year. Native plants are desired because they are suited to Michigan's climate, with our wet springs and dry July-August period. They are bug resistant and disease resistant and need far less watering than non-natives. We consulted a number of gardening books, including [http://www.amazon.com/American-Horticultural-Society-Encyclopedia-Garden/dp/0789419432 A - Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants],  
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[http://www.amazon.com/Dirrs-Hardy-Trees-Shrubs-Encyclopedia/dp/0881924040 Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs], and [http://www.amazon.com/Landscaping-Native-Plants-Michigan-Steiner/dp/0760325383 Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan] and developed a wish list. From this list we picked plants that were most suited to an urban environment and arranged them in beds according to the following factors: sun, moisture needs, plant height, season of bloom, type of soil required and spacing requirements (see our [https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poIdcdytevB8nsFkm7xF8Qw&hl=en#gid=0 Master Plant List] spreadsheet). Kirsten then developed the following maps on AutoCad. As plants succeed or fail, the maps will be updated each season.
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[http://www.amazon.com/Dirrs-Hardy-Trees-Shrubs-Encyclopedia/dp/0881924040 Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs], and [http://www.amazon.com/Landscaping-Native-Plants-Michigan-Steiner/dp/0760325383 Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan] and developed a wish list. From this list we picked plants that were most suited to an urban environment and arranged them in beds according to the following factors: sun, moisture needs, plant height, season of bloom, type of soil required and spacing requirements (see our [https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poIdcdytevB8nsFkm7xF8Qw&hl=en#gid=0 Master Plant List] spreadsheet).
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== Garden Maps ==
 
== Garden Maps ==
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== Planting and Maintaining ==
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We ordered our plants from [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Native Plant Nursery] in Mason, MI, and planned on a delivery for early June, 2010. Due to delays in the construction process, we were unable to plant until the 4th of July weekend (which was hotter than blazes). We dealt with 2 issues: root-bound plants and very difficult planting conditions. We did, however, forge ahead, determined to get our plants into the ground. A team of about 10 people helped in the process.
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<gallery>
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Image:heladio's family planting.jpg|Heladio's family planting
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Image:planting plants.jpg|the group on Friday planting plants
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Image:planting pavers girls.jpg|Planting in the permeable pavers
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Image:alley planted friday.jpg|freshly planted alley
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</gallery>
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Since the planting, we have been regularly watering a few times a week, due to the newness of the plants and the extreme heat of the 2010 summer. Every Friday the garden group surveys the garden together and does routine maintenance. The plants are progressing and we're enjoying every visitor that comes through.
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<gallery>
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Image:waiting-for-the-hose.jpg|watering
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Image:plants-progressing.jpg|plants progressing in the alley
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Image:neil-the-dog.jpg|Little Neil and his owner strolling through the alley on Friday
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</gallery>
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== Plant Encyclopedia ==
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Photos of the various plants that are in the alley. They are alphabetically arranged here. For a more complete description of the plants, see our [https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poIdcdytevB8nsFkm7xF8Qw&hl=en#gid=0 Master Plant List].
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<gallery>
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Image:bee balm july 8 2013.jpg|non-native bee balm (July 8)
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Image:native bee balm july 8 2013.jpg|native bee balm (July 8)
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Image:big-bluestem.jpg|big bluestem
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Image:black eyed susans july 19 2013.jpg|black-eyed susans (July 19)
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Image:butterfly weed july 8 2013.jpg|butterfly weed (July 8)
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Image:canada anemone.jpg|Canada anemone (May 29)
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Image:elfin thyme.jpg| elfin thyme (one of our groundcovers) (May 29)
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Image:golden alexanders may 20 2013.jpg|golden alexanders (May 20)
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Image:goldenrod.jpg|goldenrod
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Image:irish-moss.jpg|Irish moss (one of our groundcovers)
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Image:joe pye weed july 8 2013.jpg|Joe Pye Weed (July 8)
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Image:little-bluestem.jpg|little bluestem
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Image:marsh blazing star.jpg|marsh blazing star
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Image:mazus flowers.jpg|mazus reptans (one of our groundcovers)
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Image:new-england-aster.jpg|New England aster
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Image:nodding-wild-onion.jpg|nodding wild onion
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Image:penstemmon june 17 2013.jpg|penstemmon (June 17)
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Image:potentilla.jpg|potentilla
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Image:prairie smoke may 8 2013.jpg|prairie smoke
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Image:purple coneflower july 15 2013.jpg|purple coneflower (July 15)
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Image:smooth blue aster.jpg|smooth blue asters
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Image:spiderwort june 12 2013.jpg|spiderwort (June 12)
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Image:sundrops june 17 2013.jpg|sundrops (June 17)
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Image:grasses.jpg|switchgrass
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Image:tickseed-coreopsis.jpg|tickseed coreopsis
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Image:turtlehead.jpg|Turtlehead Sept. 3, 2013
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Image:virginia creeper june 12 2013.jpg|Virginia Creeper (June 12)
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Image:virgins-bower.jpg|virgin's bower clematis (vine)
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Image:wild geranium may 20 2013.jpg|wild geranium (May 20)
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Image:wild-mint.jpg|wild mint
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Image:woodland phlox may 8 2013.jpg|woodland phlox (May 8)
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Image:woodland sunflower.jpg|woodland sunflower Sept 3, 2013
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</gallery>
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== Garden Photos - Flickr ==
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* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreengarage/collections/72157630059959976/ Flickr Garden Photos]
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== See Also ==
  
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* [[Green garage gardens]] for a larger perspective on the gardens, and lists of resources
  
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* [http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poIdcdytevB8nsFkm7xF8Qw&hl=en Master Plant List Spreadsheet].
 
  
 
[[Category:green alley]]
 
[[Category:green alley]]
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[[Category:site index]]

Latest revision as of 14:56, 3 September 2013

return to green garage gardens


The alley before construction
The alley after construction


Garden Design and Plant Selection

In 2008, when we decided to develop a green alley bordered with garden beds, a garden group formed with the purpose of selecting plants and designing their placement in the beds. The Green Garage has set a goal of 90% Michigan native plants around the building, and the alley meets that goal. Most of the plants in the beds are native to Michigan, with the exception of spring bulbs and a few annuals that will keep the color going all year. Native plants are desired because they are suited to Michigan's climate, with our wet springs and dry July-August period. They are bug resistant and disease resistant and need far less watering than non-natives. We consulted a number of gardening books, including A - Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs, and Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan and developed a wish list. From this list we picked plants that were most suited to an urban environment and arranged them in beds according to the following factors: sun, moisture needs, plant height, season of bloom, type of soil required and spacing requirements (see our Master Plant List spreadsheet).


Garden Maps

West End

From Second Ave going east...

Green Alley West End Layout Revised.jpg

Link to this image as a pdf: Green Alley West End


Middle Section

Middle of the alley...

Green Alley Middle Section Revised.jpg

Link to this image as a pdf: Green Alley Middle Section


East End

Towards Motor City Brewing Works...

Green Alley East End Revised.jpg

Link to this image as a pdf: Green Alley East End


Planting and Maintaining

We ordered our plants from Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason, MI, and planned on a delivery for early June, 2010. Due to delays in the construction process, we were unable to plant until the 4th of July weekend (which was hotter than blazes). We dealt with 2 issues: root-bound plants and very difficult planting conditions. We did, however, forge ahead, determined to get our plants into the ground. A team of about 10 people helped in the process.

  • Heladio's family planting

  • the group on Friday planting plants

  • Planting in the permeable pavers

  • freshly planted alley

Since the planting, we have been regularly watering a few times a week, due to the newness of the plants and the extreme heat of the 2010 summer. Every Friday the garden group surveys the garden together and does routine maintenance. The plants are progressing and we're enjoying every visitor that comes through.

  • watering

  • plants progressing in the alley

  • Little Neil and his owner strolling through the alley on Friday

Plant Encyclopedia

Photos of the various plants that are in the alley. They are alphabetically arranged here. For a more complete description of the plants, see our Master Plant List.

  • non-native bee balm (July 8)

  • native bee balm (July 8)

  • big bluestem

  • black-eyed susans (July 19)

  • butterfly weed (July 8)

  • Canada anemone (May 29)

  • elfin thyme (one of our groundcovers) (May 29)

  • golden alexanders (May 20)

  • goldenrod

  • Irish moss (one of our groundcovers)

  • Joe Pye Weed (July 8)

  • little bluestem

  • marsh blazing star

  • mazus reptans (one of our groundcovers)

  • New England aster

  • nodding wild onion

  • penstemmon (June 17)

  • potentilla

  • prairie smoke

  • purple coneflower (July 15)

  • smooth blue asters

  • spiderwort (June 12)

  • sundrops (June 17)

  • switchgrass

  • tickseed coreopsis

  • Turtlehead Sept. 3, 2013

  • Virginia Creeper (June 12)

  • virgin's bower clematis (vine)

  • wild geranium (May 20)

  • wild mint

  • woodland phlox (May 8)

  • woodland sunflower Sept 3, 2013

Garden Photos - Flickr

See Also

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