" Have Your Lawn and Eat It Too ! " Feature Garden at the All New Des Moines Home + Outdoor Living Show

Last week I told you to stay tuned for a big announcement...

well here it is!

I am super excited, to announce that several months ago I got a call inviting me to do a feature garden at this year's ALL NEW
 

Des Moines Home and Outdoor Living Show! 

 

Come visit our 1700 square foot feature garden,

(near the top left on this map.)

"Have Your Lawn and Eat It Too!"

Various edible plants and design elements will be displayed that enhance the appearance, functionality and productivity of your space. 

The garden space will also feature ways to grow food in compact spaces, leverage synergies between different features and enhance the sustainability of your property.


While you're there take in some presentations on the Imagination Stage!

I will be presenting on how to "Have your yard and eat it too!" just before the Fabulous Beekman Boys on Friday, between them and the Property Brothers on Saturday, and then twice on Sunday.

Des Moines Home and Outdoor Living Show
Dates & Hours
Friday ​March 11, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday ​​March 12, 2016 ​​10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday ​​​March 13, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Admission
Adults (at the door) $10.00
Adults (Online only) $7.00
Children Ages 7-12 $4.00
Children Ages 6 & Under FREE

The first THREE people to email me right now with "Free Tickets" in the subject line will receive TWO tickets FREE!  Watch for more contests on this site and on our Facebook page as the date gets closer!

You can also get your tickets, with a bonus discount, through Abundant Design using the link below!

Be sure to use the Discount Code: SAVINGS

 

 

I can't wait to see you there!





Rain Barrels and More!

This week Abundant Design is happy to announce that we are working with Rain Barrels Iowa!

This relationship will allow us to provide their high quality rain harvesting systems and more to our customers. Their rain barrels, made from up-cycled (repurposed) food shipping barrels, will allow us to move faster on your projects and provide a nice looking option for your rain harvesting needs.

We've talked about the limitations of smaller rain barrels with the amount of rainfall we get in Iowa, but also how to use them for the most benefit (as well as proper maintenance).  This photo below from Rain Barrels Iowa shows an overflow system that directs the overflow to raised beds behind, where it can be used effectively.  They also have very large catchment options including 1000 and 2500gallon tanks.

Beyond rain barrels, they have 55gal rotating composters, garden tools and more.  I encourage you to check out their on-line store or their retail location at 4240 Clinton Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310.
Normal retail hours return in March (through September), but are available by appointment until then.

You can visit their booth at the Des Moines Home and Garden Show this week, too.

Stay tuned for another BIG announcement next week!

Honey, Sweet "Medicine"

Pollinators get a lot of attention these days, as well they should.  With stress due to habitat loss, viruses, fungi, parasites and pesticides, in addition to the normal perils of a bugs life, they could use a helping hand. 

Although not a native species to North America the Honeybee is probably the pollinator most talked about in the media.  Contributing to about $15 billion in increased agricultural value, they benefit directly or indirectly to every third bite of food we ingest.  See more in these food videos from Whole Foods.

But we have discussed pollinator health before with the Plant.Grow.Fly program and Monarch Watch posts. 

This week's topic is HONEY! 

Honey is the most recognized miracle product from bees.  A flower's nectar is changed by enzymes in the bee's saliva and concentrated back at the hive.  In our home, we use this delicious natural sweetener in place of table sugar in many recipes.  Grits aren't the same without some of it.  If you are ever at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast, make sure you don't skip the grits and try them with a spoonful of honey. 

Not only delicious and naturally sweet, honey has been used traditionally for a number of health supporting ways.

Skin Care - Honey promotes skin health and is a natural antimicrobial agent.  Massage some into damp skin to improve skin's health and appearance.  You can also mix granulated sugar into raw honey and use as an natural exfoliant.  Include a few drops of olive or grapeseed oil for a moisturizer.

Honey, Lemon and Thieves tea

Cough Relief - a Penn State study found that honey was a better cough suppressant than many over the counter medicines, although there was some controversy over the media's response. 
I know when I have a sore throat, cough or congestion hot tea made with honey and lemon is really soothing.

Allergies - Local honey can prevent or lessen symptoms with just a teaspoon per day.  Try starting a month before your symptoms typically appear for best effect.

Sleeplessness - A spoonful of honey at bedtime can help support a restful night's sleep.

Antimicrobial Ointment - With its antimicrobial properties, a bit under a bandage may protect cuts and minor burns better than an antibiotic cream.

Stomach Issues - Honey can aid in digestion, balancing both diarrhea and constipation.  It also inhibits growth of H. pylori, a bacteria linked to ulcers.


Honey has also been used for arthritis, leg cramps, pink eye and more.  Regularly consuming raw honey can boost white blood cell numbers and may improve immunity.

Special thanks to Nodaway Valley, The Birds and Their Bees, Keane Honey and Bec's Bees for all of the honey we have enjoyed the last few years.



Hives at the Forest Avenue Outreach garden

Maybe you are thinking bees might be a great addition to your yard or homestead.  If you live in Iowa you can find out if you can raise bees in your city at beelaws.org.  They have cataloged the city codes, with guidance and contact information if you have any questions.  If you are already an Iowa beekeeper look to Central Iowa Beekeepers or the Iowa Honey Producers Association.





There are many places to take some classes on beekeeping and you should always have a mentor to help you along as you begin.  Now is the time to order bees for this upcoming season.

Here are a few places you can order supplies and bees-

• Foley's Russian Bees  www.russianbee.com/   
• Kalona Honey Company www.kalonahoney.com
• Ebert Honey www.eberthoney.com
• P & P Honey & Bee Supply
• Spring Valley Honey Farms
• or the classified ad pages at the above organizations

Here is an interview with my friend Julia McGuire, a local beekeeper and advocate, on the Urban Farm Podcast.
http://www.urbanfarm.org/julia-mcguire/

Give it a listen and then watch the TED talk below about why our cities need honeybees.

This was a big information filled post this week.  If you can't get through it all at once, come back for the things you missed.

Stay sweet, stay healthy and have a great week!

Awarded Best Of Houzz 2016 - Press Release

Pretty sure this is Abundant Design's first press release!

 

I'm happy to have gotten to know my customers this last year.  To provide something enjoyable and productive for them, that is also great for the land, brings a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. 

 

I look forward to more projects in the year ahead!

 

 

Abundant Design, LLC of Waukee
Awarded Best Of Houzz 2016

Over 35 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,
Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World

Des Moines, Iowa, January 12, 2016 – Abundant Design of Waukee has won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The niche landscape design & install firm was chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

“We can make something beautiful and productive, in a way that will actually improve the quality of our waters, fertility of our soil, and the health of our planet.” said owner and designer Jeff Reiland.

“Anyone building, remodeling or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented and service-oriented professionals” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “We’re so pleased to recognize Abundant Design, voted one of our “Best Of Houzz” professionals by our enormous community of homeowners and design enthusiasts actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2015. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2016” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

Follow Abundant Design on Houzz
http://www.houzz.com/pro/abundantdesignllc


About Abundant Design, LLC
Abundant Design is a new and growing landscape design and install firm providing edible and sustainable solutions to homeowners, businesses and agricultural producers. Abundant Design provides consultations, design packages and full integration resulting in unique produce, wildlife habitat, nutrient conservation and land regeneration. Based in Waukee, Abundant Design serves the Des Moines metro and Central Iowa. For more information visit abundantdesign.com.


About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.

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Had a BLAST! Great Family Fun & Seed Bombs!

This weekend I had the opportunity to have a booth at the Waukee FamilyFest.

Each participating local business provided a game with prizes or crafts.  I drew some new coloring sheets featuring pollinators and the soil food web (you've probably seen the tree guild before).

 

The other activity we did was make "seed bombs" filled with flowers, wildflowers and butterfly larvae host plants.  This activity started out pretty slow, as pans of clay and dirt with a little box of seeds was not that eye-catching.  However, given a little time, the fading appeal of the bean bag toss and a growing muddy spot on our table the kids started to take notice!  The more dirty hands and smiles appeared, the more kids wanted to come over and give it a try.

Some kids preferred to put it all together in a plastic bag so they could keep their hands clean.  There were cookies and candy there after all :)


Other kids dove in with abandon, savoring the chance to get their hands covered with soil in the middle of Iowa's winter!  Maybe they longed for the sense of well-being that comes from soil contact.

There were also premade seed balls for the very little, or the very shy, so that everyone could get a chance to plant a place for butterflies and other pollinators this Spring.

In January in Iowa we have to be a little creative to get our gardening in!

If you missed out and want to try this at home, or if you think making seed bombs would be good for your classroom or kids club, watch the how-to video below!

Have a great week, stay warm and give these fun seed bombs a try!