The Other Mascot at Serendipity Gardens: Buster, the Cat

Jo Ellen Roe November 5, 2013 0 Comments

Buster

Not long ago, I introduced readers to Nestle, our chocolate Labrador Retriever. Nestle is one of the mascots of Serendipity Gardens. She is the sweet one.

The other mascot is Buster the cat. Buster came to us in 2002, a gift from a grandson who had rescued him from life on the street. When he was a kitten, we marveled at the size of his paws and ears.

“He’s going to be a big cat,” we said, over and over. That prophecy has come true. Buster weighs just over 20 pounds, and he is not really fat — just big. Unlike Nestle, who is unfailingly sweet, Buster has a mean streak. He is my “sweet, mean kittycat.” ... Read More

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Snake Eats Frog at Serendipity Gardens … a Backyard Ecosystem at Work

Jo Ellen Roe October 22, 2013 0 Comments

Snake eats frog

When I first began Serendipity Gardens, over nine years ago, I wanted lots of flowers. I didn’t much care about building a backyard habitat.

Over the years, however, as I’ve watched the creatures who make their home there work and play, live and die, I’ve come to care very much about building a backyard habitat and respecting the ecosystem that has developed.

I have come to believe that while I cannot repair or replace all the animal habitat that is lost every day, month, and year, I can maintain my backyard ecosystem. If more people did the same, surely it would help. ... Read More

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Renaissance Man Paints Serendipity Gardens!

Jo Ellen Roe October 14, 2013 0 Comments

Do you ever need the services of an artist, a musician, a bricklayer, or a pond maintenance guy? I would like to recommend Kellas Brown. Because he is skilled in all these areas, I call him the Renaissance Man!

Here’s how I came to know Kellas. I wanted someone to build a pathway to connect our front sidewalk with the patio in back. Our local supplier of hardscape materials, the Rocke Shoppe, recommended him. We hired him to do the work, and our sidewalk turned out just as we had envisioned it. ... Read More

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Frogs Jump Start a Backyard Ecosystem

Jo Ellen Roe October 1, 2013 0 Comments

Froggies (1)

When Serendipity Gardens was two years old, my husband built a pond. Shortly after, the frogs arrived, and they’ve been part of our backyard ecosystem ever since. We did nothing to make them come other than have water, and we do nothing to keep them except use a bubbler in the pond in winter to keep it from freezing over.

The frog population varies from year to year, because of predators. An occasional heron stops by for a snack, or a garden snake slithers up and catches one unaware. Despite these challenges, though, the frogs continue to add their immense charm to the garden. They help manage the insect population, too. ... Read More

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These Berries Didn’t Last!

Jo Ellen Roe August 7, 2013 0 Comments

Berries

Several years ago, we planted a serviceberry (Amelachier x grandiflora Autumn Brillance) in our front yard.

The serviceberry, an American native, is a  small tree of four- season interest. This  spring, it sported white  fuzzy  blossoms. These provided the red berries  that adorned the tree  in June. Now, in summer, the leaves are a lovely green, In the fall, they’ll turn a nice, glowing red to provide the autumn brilliance that gave the tree its name. In winter, the smooth gray multiple trunks will be a pleasing sight. Ultimately, the serviceberry will grow to be between 15 and 25 feet tall and wide. The berries are tart-sweet and can be used for cooking — if you get there in time. The birds may well beat you to the prize. ... Read More

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