Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
peterknop

Garden Writers wanted

peterknop
20 years ago

We are nearing the end of a 50 plus year garden construction project. It has involved to date the moving of over 5 million cubic yards of dirt and stone, thousands of tons of rock work, and of course lots of plants, though the real planting is just starting as it was impossible to plant during the heavy construction phase. As construction winds down and planting picks up, we thought it might be of interest to garden writers to see it before it is finished as it is a rather unique undertaking, spanning 4 generations and a considerable investment in time, effort and imagination.

Question: How does one go about getting writers to come and see it? We give regular tours to neighbors and school groups, politicians and tourists, a few garden clubs, but no garden writers amongst them!! Yet it seems to be a natural for all sorts of different kinds of stories, from the recycling end (interestingly enough an important offshoot due to the growth of Washington, D.C.)to the "how to" of construction, not to mention some of the legal, zoning and other challenges of building something larger than normal. All engineering an design has been done by the family, and this in itself is an interesting tale, again, a wonderful story of how to teach oneself the "impossible" as was claimed when we went for outside help (and were refused - liability perhaps? - the central feature is a man-made "mountain" over 200 feet high from original ground level, with some large lakes, etc.... Even some of the design work for a gazeo, for instance had its lessons - do not make them rectangular if one wants an easy to construct roof!!

Any suggestions very much appreciated. And any visitors are also welcome, by appointment.(Tours are free) Chantilly, Virginia, next to new Smithsonian Air and Space Museum; email Gardensnospam@Ticonderoga.com. When writing remove the nospam part of address please.

Comments (3)

Sponsored
Outdoor Spaces
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars19 Reviews
Experienced Full Service Landscape Design Firm Serving Loudoun County