Spring in full bloom in Ware's garden
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SAWDUST IS a key element in the garden at 601 4th Ave. E. in Polson. (Joe Sova photos/Lake County Leader)
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KELLY WARE shows a sample of the variety of vegetable and flowering plants in her garden. Here, she holds a rhubarb plant and the branch of a fruit tree.
CAN YOU identify this flowering shrub? Whether you can or not, you’ll see the colorful flowers at the huge garden at 601 4th Ave. E. in Polson. Stop by for a flower and veggie tour this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take plants home for just a small donation to help keep the garden flourishing.
The community of Polson and the surrounding areas in Lake County are filled with beautiful natural water features. We have Flathead Lake, as well as multiple rivers, streams, ponds and canals.
Do you know the five key ingredients to get the most out of your vegetable, fruit and/or flower garden?
Kelly Ware, a Master Gardener whose garden thrives in Polson, can quickly tell you:
- Transplanting
- Weeding
- Seeding
- Mulching
- Watering
Ware is hosting a number of open house events this fall, summer and into the fall at the property which she owns. It is the historic house shared by Garden Inn, National Parks Realty and Kelly Ware Deep Tissue Massage. It’s located at 601 4th Ave. E., just more than a block east of Linderman Elementary School.
Folk who have been in Polson for some time might remember the house as the former Aware Wellness Center.
The garden begins on the east side of the house, and wraps around the back. It’s like a forest of plants, shrubs and flowers out there.
WARE HAS been doing “agroforestry” on the land. “You put perennial species under your tree systems,” she said. “A lot of the beds started out as a pile of weeds and sticks. You put the the soil over it, the plants in it. It is kind of a long-term soil building strategy. Under your fruit trees you plant berry bushes and perennials.”
What else does the garden grow: mountain bluets, daffodils, tulips, day lilies, iris, anemonae, alliums, flowering onion, Chinese poppies and comfrey, and even catnip, lemon balm, oregano, mint and artichokes.
Ware will host a “Flower Tour” this Saturday, May 18, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your own buckets to haul flowers and plants, and tools with which to dig them up. Take them home for a small donation.
An “Open House” will be held Saturday, May 25. Hours are also 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WARE SAID all maple trees are free, while supplies last.
Following open houses might be on select Thursday and Friday evenings, and Saturdays.
For more information, call Ware at 406-314-3808. By the way, the former Aware Wellness Center house is for sale. Call Jody at 406-239-7588 for details.