tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29231571061262199722012-02-16T04:32:28.693-05:00Musings about landscapes, gardens and life.Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.comBlogger211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-26970654780801395562008-06-01T16:27:00.003-04:002008-06-01T17:23:11.619-04:00

Within the last few days some interesting things have come up regarding brick pavers. First, while working at a clients home,I noticed the brick walks soldier course (the outside edge, that has a different pattern) separating a bit. My first thought was to add some polymer sand, until I looked closer. The contractor who installed the walk had not put in a retaining edge--not even the mortar type

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-1164271876093780972008-04-03T12:49:00.005-04:002008-04-03T13:37:00.216-04:00

Bonnie Ion, President of the Ann Arbor Garden Club wrote:APRIL 9th MEETING: Jo Ann Marshall will be speaking on "Landscape Inspirations" this coming Wednesday night in the Matthaei Auditorium. The program will start at 7:30 PM. Jo Ann is a UM trained landscape architect and runs a landscape business with her husband, Dave. Trillium Landscape Design, LLC is a design/build company so Jo Ann

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-43571449162348378302008-03-21T15:17:00.005-04:002008-04-03T12:58:13.855-04:00

Though today’s snow fall may not indicate it, Spring has arrived. Don’t believe me. Just ask the birds. Within the last week, I’ve noticed the return of the robins and red-winged blackbirds. Both are looking for places to nest and rear their young. Other migratory birds aren’t too far behind. So if you want to attract birds to your garden, now is the time to setup or clean out your nest boxes (

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314176399511124924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-90795623165522083452008-03-13T11:16:00.002-04:002008-03-13T11:26:34.815-04:00

I'm having Cat Stevens flashbacks. I meant longer days! Daylight savings times has it's rewards. People I've run across are enjoying the sunlight. I think it equates with us having more energy. Even though there is some snow on the ground, we know that spring and a great landscape, are a few weeks away.Smart clients are already calling for consultations and to implement another phase of their

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-49559472777660403122008-03-06T17:33:00.005-05:002008-03-07T09:59:34.153-05:00

With so much talk about our environment, I looked at a checklist in a recent magazine. I wanted to see how our business and home stacked up. Here goes:1. We use compact fluorescent light bulbs where possible.2. While our vehicles aren't known for being especially fuel efficient, they also have to perform for our work, we keep them maintained so they burn clean clean.3. We re-use office paper,

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314176399511124924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-61074165542474523962008-03-01T18:20:00.003-05:002008-03-05T11:50:40.491-05:00

Mother Nature is giving us the flux! Just when we were getting geeked for spring, bam! A fresh blanket of snow. The worst part is that it's beautiful! The stunning white powder coated everything brown and gray.It's all good, this time of the year we are going to workshops and conferences. We know that a spring thaw is in the not too distant future. Then it will be easy to appreciate the magic of

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-62768340242850661202008-02-26T12:03:00.007-05:002008-02-29T10:36:29.356-05:00

The last session of the current Saline Rec Dodgeball season has ended for our team, the Above Average Jo's. I was intrigued with the zany movie "Dodgeball" and watched it 3 times in the last few months. How fun! I thought. So did a few others: Judy Stone Nutrition Magician & David Ames Ames Video Services. It was the most painful team experience ever. But not because of staff from Saline Rec

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-3722079012684902612008-02-20T10:21:00.002-05:002008-02-20T10:33:26.208-05:00

It's the time of the year that Michiganders and other cold weather gardeners and landscapers dread and love, at the same time. It's catalog time. Are you inundated with reams of paper? teasing, colorful, rich flowers and plants? Goodies and tools that are intriguing? Do these publications get you through some of these dreary days? Write with your favorites so we don't miss them.Have you seen some

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-3692546806313079772008-02-15T14:44:00.000-05:002008-02-15T14:46:09.793-05:00

Our second annual Valentines Dinner by Food For All Season was a hit. Owner Antoinette Benjamin met us at the door, explained reheating, and sent us off with our entrees, salads, soup, rolls and desserts. Everything was wonderful. I wonder if extra desserts will be an option next year? Mark your calendars for early Feb 2009.

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-90974039778963211162008-02-12T14:59:00.001-05:002008-02-13T17:09:57.732-05:00

Brrrrr! Is it ever cold outside. I'm glad we got a couple of inches of snow before the temperatures dropped to 0 degrees F. Snow is mother nature's thermal blanket. Well maybe not thermal, but it is insulating. Snow naturally insulates the ground and everything underground (plant roots, water and sewer pipes, etc.) from the freezing ambient air temperatures. The deeper the snow, the greater

Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314176399511124924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-2034010028825060552008-02-04T01:11:00.000-05:002008-02-12T14:55:09.971-05:00

With the cooler temps, I find it hard to spend quality time outdoors. Exercise is tougher, even walking the dog takes effort. This photo shows my introspective side. Hah! It was a class assignment from my Beyond Business As Usual class. Truth is myfriend and Eco Coach, Laura MacKimmie would have approved.This was one way to spend part of Super Bowl Sunday.Ah, the wisdom we can gather from nature,

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-10015873763854353072008-02-03T12:28:00.000-05:002008-02-03T13:54:56.739-05:00

Valentines day is almost here. Who cares, you ask? I do and anyone else who has enjoyed Food For All Season's memorable catering. The food is exquisite. This meal is phenomenal! Check out the menu and order both the salad and soup. I think there are more menu items this year. If we were smart we would order 1 of each and feast for two days. My single friends do order two different entrees and

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-1894548077406771232008-01-29T09:17:00.000-05:002008-01-29T09:40:28.162-05:00

There are a half dozen trees in our side yard, the yard that our living room window faces. While the trees don't yet provide shade for us, they do screen our window from nearby streets.Over the summer, a man in his 30's or so, parked his car, and walked over. He told Dave that he had planted the acorn for the oak tree 15 years ago. The acorn had been from a tree near the Sparty statue on MSU's

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-18584024388345323842008-01-28T12:33:00.000-05:002008-01-28T15:57:21.136-05:00

Finally, the day we've been waiting for. Websitesare always a work in progress and what funit is to finally see it in place.Let us know what you think andwhat you'd like to see more of.Thanks for reading!www.trilliumlandscape.com

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-50113023699643275162008-01-26T10:41:00.000-05:002008-01-26T10:54:28.555-05:00

Oh my gosh...is anyone else having issues with wildlife? I don't think there will be anything left to our garden, come spring. Rabbits and who knows what else are having a field day. The shrubs in the perimeter of our perennial garden must be the equivalent of "Fancy Feast" to those pesky rabbits. They are so bold that we stare at each other, then usually they slowly hop away. Based on their foot

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-90465810765467342012008-01-24T14:08:00.000-05:002008-01-25T11:31:30.828-05:00

Walking through the snow covered fields with our canine family member today, reminded me of how grateful I am to have him. He's a golden retriever mix that insists on burrowing his muzzle into every varmint track and hole that he can find. His tail wags incessantly, increasing in speed, the fresher the tracks.The grasses that stood tall all summer and fall have been packed down by the snow, rain

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-9226926035243583892008-01-23T16:33:00.000-05:002008-01-25T11:05:36.301-05:00

Our landscape company recently installed a small pond, beautiful waterfall, and patio in St. Clair Shores, MI. The owner purchased 4 fish, about 4-5" in length, a lot of fish for a pond this size. By the end of the summer, the fish were easily 6-7". For the winter we installed a specialty heater which kept a small hole open even when the rest of the pond was iced in.During the last warm spell, we

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-70380630464990913642008-01-22T16:34:00.000-05:002008-01-22T16:40:40.099-05:00

Another fabulous meeting last night. I continue to be impressed with the quality and thoughtfulness of the presentations. The topic: Herbs, and each speaker enthusiastically told how they use herbs in their gardens.Great prizes for the raffle, too. I wished Ididn't have to leave early for a conference call.

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-36982782764974244612008-01-19T17:37:00.000-05:002008-01-19T17:44:41.363-05:00

It's gotten so cold out, and the plants do not have the insulation that the snow provides. The only thing good about the cold is that the indoor plantsget the extra attention they need. Re-potting, extra watering and pruning is fine for most plants and they are looking great. Dave constructed an indoor fountain/water feature. The humidity is welcome and so is the water noise; a sort of babbling

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-50567167865013732112008-01-18T17:31:00.000-05:002008-01-18T17:34:04.606-05:00

Sunshine, Blue Sky That title reminds me of one of my favorite Temptations songs: I Wish it Would Rain. Isn't it amazing how much more we can accomplish with these sunny days. This Michigan winter has seemed more dreary than usual.This last cold spell may have finally killed off some of the weeds in our garden. They've been green up till now.The rabbits continue to wreak havoc on the plants.

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2923157106126219972.post-61158482213203386632008-01-17T15:05:00.001-05:002008-04-03T13:27:54.609-04:00

jo ann said...Dave Marshall spoke at the Ann Arbor Garden Club last Wednesday. He did a good job presenting the how's and why's of the tools he brought. Funny how everyone has a favorite tool--one that we are so passionate about, that you couldn't pry out of our hands if you wanted to. What a great garden club too, people were warm and friendly. I'm thrilled with being a member of the Saline

Jo Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780182854959271434noreply@blogger.com2