About

I garden in south-central Connecticut (zone 6a) and have done so for more than 30 years.  Gardening keeps me sane and sometimes makes me feel just a little insane, particularly when deer and voles work in my gardens as often as I.  Flowers, vegetables, berries, shrubs, and herbs adorn the grounds, planting beds, and containers around our home.  Many start as seedlings indoors, some survive inside during cold months until they can bask in warmer air and brighter light outside.  I'm never too far from a plant.

As a child, my grandmother's vegetables and hollyhocks and my grandfather's densely packed perennial and bulb gardens nourished my love of gardening and natural environments.  I cultivated my adult gardening skills through books, trial and error, Master Gardener and Advanced Master Gardener certifications, trial and error, multiple other classes, and - did I mention - trial and error.  I've refurbished a decades-old overgrown home landscape by scratching my way through another gardener's vision ... a priceless experience that gave me a clear understanding of design magnified by time.  I've also built a home landscape from a true blank slate - nothing but disturbed, compacted, rocky New England soil, a few ideas, and tons of sweat-equity.

My business, Gardens & Turf, provides personal gardening design and maintenance services for people no longer able to maintain their gardens, garden coaching for anyone who wants a beautiful garden but doesn't quite know where to start, and lawn mowing. 

Here's a shot of a just planted project in 2008.

left-upper-pool-6-2008_edited

And a view of the same planting bed at the end of June 2010:

Back Border Fence Entry 6 30 102 249x300

Back border - June 2010

I also enjoy showcasing my own cut flowers or flowers from a cutting garden to brighten a table,  for a friend's wedding, or a client's special event.

Peonies and Lady's Mantle. Photo: Ralph Chappell Photography    

joenesgarden-for-sw-wedding-8-07

When not gardening, I write. After many years reporting medical news I've switched my writing focus to garden-related topics and personal essays.

 My LinkedIn profile.

 Read one of my essays in Fits, Starts and Matters of the Heart

Visit joene's garden Facebook fan page.

Check out the Garden Coach Directory for info on garden coaches all over the U.S.

For more great shots of my garden flowers and other subjects check out Ralph Chappell Photography.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Joene Hendry

7 comments

Gravatar #1. Scott Hokunson
1 year and 6 months ago

Hi Joene,

Sorry to leave a this message here, but I couldn't find an email address for you. I wanted to extend an invite to a Hosta Tweetup we are having on the July 25th. If you are interested please send me an email. We have a great group of garden people, and would love to have you join us!

Scott

Gravatar #2. Scott Hokunson
1 year and 6 months ago

Hi again Joene,

Sorry, should have mentioned the Tweetup is in Granby, CT.

Scott

Gravatar #3. pam mcfarland
1 year and 5 months ago

Hi - curious how your online schooling is going with the Anna Gresham School. I am contemplating enrolling and am looking for someone else that has. Thanks much. Best - Pam

Gravatar #4. Donna Ellis
1 year and 5 months ago

NEWS RELEASE

UConn Symposium to Discuss Invasive Species in Connecticut

For more information:
Donna Ellis, (860) 486-6448, donna.ellis@uconn.edu

#10061 August 19, 2010
STORRS, Conn – The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group will present «Challenges and Successes: Working Cooperatively to Manage Invasive Plants», a one-day symposium at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, on Thursday, October 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The symposium will address the importance of native habitats, how invasive species harm these habitats, and why cooperative efforts are vital to understanding and managing our natural landscapes.
All who are interested in invasive plant issues are invited to attend. This symposium seeks to draw together municipal staff (parks and recreation, public works, inland wetlands/conservation commissions), nursery, tree and landscape professionals, educators, students, landscape architects, gardening enthusiasts, state and federal employees, members of conservation organizations and the public into a discussion of the challenges presented by invasive plants and how we can promote native plants by managing invasives.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Bernd Blossey of Cornell University. Dr. Blossey's presentation is titled «The Power of Choice: New Frontiers in Invasive Plant Management and Conservation.» Concurrent afternoon sessions will include the industry perspective – what's working, early detection & rapid response; invasives management research; invaded forests; Cooperative Weed Management Areas and local success stories. Research posters and other educational exhibits will be featured throughout the day.
Pesticide recertification credits and a variety of other continuing education credits will be offered.
Early registration (postmarked by Sept. 18) is $40. The fee is $55 if postmarked after September 18 or for walk-in registrations. Student fee, with ID, is $25. Walk-in registrations only if space is available. The symposium program, registration form, and other information are available on the CIPWG website: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg
Please send registration and checks (payable to The University of Connecticut) to: Donna Ellis, University of Connecticut, Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, 1390 Storrs Road, Unit 4163, Storrs, CT 06269-4163. Included in the cost of admission are an information packet, parking, lunch, snacks and beverages.
For more information, contact Donna Ellis at (860) 486-6448; email donna.ellis@uconn.edu.

##CB##

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Gravatar #5. joenesgarden
1 year and 5 months ago

Pam,
I'm really enjoying the course. Feel free to email me with any specific questions you have.

Gravatar #6. Cheryl
1 year ago

Hi Joene ..I've been looking at taking the Anna Gresham course - just wondering how it's going and what you think of the course - do you recommend it?

Thanks,
Cheryl

Gravatar #7. joenesgarden
1 year ago

Cheryl, I highly recommend Anna Gresham's course for anyone who can self-direct and understands that the course takes a significant time commitment.

I am not as far along as I would like to be at this point simply because of other work and family issues, but I'm learning a lot and am enjoying the course.

Thanks for asking and good luck.

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