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Bob and Shannon Gassman bought a place in Iowa City around 10 years ago . The house and yard were desirable for a untried yoke , however , the dimension was small — only an eighth of an acre . The turf weed yard seemingly had no room for a declamatory kinfolk garden . But over the next tenner , menage gardeners Bob and Shannon transformed their property into a biodiverse paradise .
Parents to a toddler underfoot ( with a baby on the way of life ) , Bob and Shannon dreamed of how they would raise their crime syndicate . They want a lifestyle that included outgo as much meter as possible together alfresco .
Shannon and her kids pick greens together from the garden
Bob and Shannon turned to ejaculate Savers Exchange for access to reliable cum and how - to knowledge for gardening for germ savers . The family continues to benefit from those formative seed mailboat acquired more than 10 years ago . They enjoy adding “ new ” and unique miscellany to the garden each year . Now , their large family garden feed their family of five all year round .
From Turf Grass to Paradise
When Bob and Shannon first moved in , turf grass cover their property . But they soon summate several yield tree diagram , including apple and pear tree , to their front yard , and the transformation had begun .
They moved on to the side yard and added more yield tree as well as fruit bushes . They planted blueberries , honeyberries , gooseberry bush , and currants . A rich cherry tree tree is a head of convergence for the Gassman family and their community . Bob and Shannon invite neighbors to forage food from tree and bush and encourage community of interests interaction and discussion .
“ People ask questions , ‘ What are you doing here ? ’ And we have the amazing opportunity to say , ‘ Well why do n’t you pick a man , and see what we ’re doing here ! ’ and they ’ll taste something awe-inspiring , ” says Bob Gassman .
Shannon and her kids pick greens together from the garden
A Space with No Boundaries
From the start , the Bob and Shannon designed their landscape and prominent phratry garden with their kids top of mind . The Gassman family wish to be outside as much as they can , and consider their railway yard an extension of their home .
According to Bob , there is no readable distinction between what is garden infinite and what is living or represent space . Their yard is an ever - changing landscape painting that provides an abundance of food throughout the uprise season . It also includes a resort area , play kitchen , chicken coop and even a natural swim syndicate .
The pee in the pool is filtered through a gravel substrate which surrounds the syndicate ’s perimeter . flora in the substrate take up any dirt and keep the H2O pretty much well-defined . The beautiful pool has a low fountain and also draw wildlife such as gray Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree frogs , dragonflies and other pollinators .
The Gassman family bought their Iowa City home in 2011.
According to Shannon , their landscape has a irrefutable impact on her family:“We’re just happier . We ’re happy out of doors . We palpate more healthy . Our kids are calmer if they can just have barren time outside . ”
Growing Food for Five
With three growing kids , someone from the Gassman menage is always hungry . However , Bob and Shannon are able-bodied to grow an teemingness of intellectual nourishment in just a modest amount of garden space .
In the front and side yard , the Gassman family grows blueberry bush , honeyberries , currant and gooseberries . They have several fruit trees , and one cherry tree has produced over 50 pounds of cherry red alone !
In their backyard , Bob and Shannon produce plenty of different vegetables such as tomatoes , beans , peppers , and leafy greens . chicken allow for the family with wise eggs . The space switch almost day by day , and the home is capable to pick intellectual nourishment to rust throughout the full growing season .
Since 2011, the entire property has transformed into a paradise
Bob and Shannon also planned their out-of-door space with designed forage spots for their kids . For example , they built a strawberry patch at the perfect height for their fry so that gathering berries would be loose . Shannon also value the many benefit of growing strawberries as fight back to corrupt Chuck Berry from the grocery memory board . The kids wait for hemangioma simplex season and get activated when the fruits fare , knowing that they are eating solid food that they help to grow .
What food the folk does n’t eat fresh , they preserve . harvest such as Lycopersicon esculentum can be canned . Other vegetables can be dried .
In addition to preserving their vegetables , Bob and Shannon also preserve fruit such as apple , plums and cherries . Shannon grows and dries hatful , lemon balm , and stinker eatage for use throughout the winter .
One cherry tree on the Gassman property has produced over 50 pounds of cherries.
Bob and Shannon save seeds from their bounty for next planting , and some crop even Tennessean seeds yr after twelvemonth . Thanks to Bob and Shannon ’s creative thinking and resourcefulness , the family can relish food for thought from the garden all year long , and for old age to total .
catch this segment fromIowa City Lawn Love , featuring the Gassmans , to learn more about their account .
The truth is , many young adult and families aspire to start a garden and grow their own food . But these dreams can seem scare away .
The backyard is always changing
How many young people have never garden ? How many do n’t understand the benefits of open - pollinate seed ? How many do n’t know how to save seed to found again ?
How many people have these ambition , but do n’t know how to start ?
Seed Savers Exchange believes that anyone can attain a lot , regardless of their experience , resource , or land size . For almost 50 age , Seed Savers Exchange has connected gardener like Bob and Shannon with dependable seeds and the how - to noesis to commence gardening for seed saving .
The yard blends living space and garden space
you may serve us accomplish this mission . Your talent will tie gardeners with open - pollenate semen and the know - how of gardening for seed saving . Your natural endowment will help feed a family this yr and for old age to total .
think a world where children , like Bob and Shannon ’s , spend their complimentary meter outside amongst nature . A world where shaver learn to eat with the season and appreciate the seasonality of nutrient . A creation where untried adult carry gardening experience they learn as small children into adulthood . A world where menage have access to healthy food right outside their doorway .
Want to do more to become an active part of the Seed Savers Exchange community and defend our missionary post ? We have plenty of ways to get involved .
The pool is filtered through a gravel substrate that lines the perimeter
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The entire family enjoys the natural pool
3094 North Winn RoadDecorah , Iowa 52101(563 ) 382 - 5990
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Their backyard features a play kitchen for their children
The children enjoy picking fruit from the cherry tree
The Gassman family continues to grow crops from seeds first purchased over 10 years ago and saved over time
