Friesens turn backyard into a restful get-away garden

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 08 September 2009 14:01

FriesenWayneLinda767.jpg Wayne and Linda Friesen sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor in creating a flower garden they can enjoy with family and friends. Wayne, who retired from Cooperative Grain & Supply in Hillsboro, uses some of what he learned in crop production, he said, to help his plants and trees keep a healthy pH balance. Linda does day-to-day pruning, including “dead heading,” which in flower terminology means the removal of faded flowers before they develop seed.

Wayne and Linda Friesen of Hillsboro moved to their home on South Washington almost 30 years ago. Today the house and landscape look nothing like they did.

“The biggest selling point for us was the backyard, which is the size of 21⁄2...

Read more: Friesens turn backyard into a restful get-away garden

Tips for creating backyard bird habitat

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 08 September 2009 14:00

Whether city or country, bird watching is fun and you can create an environment for it in your own backyard in less time than you think.

John Robinson, chief ornithologist and manager of Scotts Birding Center of Excellence, says there are three components to making your backyard an oasis for feathered friends:1. Vegetation provides shelter

Having a variety of shrubs and trees in your yard makes it bird friendly. Birds use trees, shrubs and plants to hide from both the elements and their natural predators, as well as to roost or nest in. Additionally, the right types of vegetation also provide fruit or seeds for the birds to eat.

White pine, arborvitae, spruce, juniper, cedar, holly and other broadleaf and needle evergreens provide...

Read more: Tips for creating backyard bird habitat

Through 20 years, local plant business has blossomed

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 07 April 2009 14:15

GardenCenter824.jpg Sharon Boese is in her ninth year at the North Cedar location in Hillsboro. The original nursery was located on D Street.

The sights and sounds of spring are evident at the Garden Center.

Hues of yellow, red and purple lie scattered like splotches of paint on a canvas.

Birds chirp in the trees as sunlight filters through the greenhouse.

This year, the Garden Center in Hillsboro is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Owner Sharon Boese said she enjoys what she does, although it takes work.

“Even though it is difficult to be a small store, I do enjoy it,” she said. “What I like best is the variety of different plants that you get to work with.”

The Garden Center carries annual flowers, garden...

Read more: Through 20 years, local plant business has blossomed

Local grower expands wholesale business to retail

Written by Malinda Just Wednesday, 09 April 2008 14:54

serenity-gardens.jpg For Dale and Jana Dalke, owners of Serenity Gardens, the gardening business is a family affair. Jana and children Emery, 9 months, Jesse 5 and Eli 3½, pose amid flowers that have been growing since January and February. Serenity Gardens is now in its second season as a retail operation, and is located about three miles east of Hillsboro on 190th.

With about 70 varieties of perennials, numerous annuals, 39 shrub varieties and 15 ornamental tree varieties, Serenity Gardens is ready to accommodate customers for the spring planting season.

Serenity Gardens, owned by Dale and Jana Dalke of Hillsboro, is in its second season as a retail business.

The business began in a small greenhouse at the Dalke’s...

Read more: Local grower expands wholesale business to retail