August 29, 2021: Devotion following 14.25″ of rain in two days

Extreme weather is in the news every day. Wildfires in California, floods 0f epic proportions in North Carolina and Tennessee, and hurricanes that batter and destroy homes and lives. I am one of the fortunate ones because when Robinson Creek moved its banks 18′ following tropical storm Fred, it did not threaten my home nor my health but I knew major restoration work on the creek had to be done.

William Deaver, founder and owner of Trademark Homescapes, originally built my footbridge across the creek, but now that it no longer touched land on either side of the altered creek, he came with track hoe and crew to remediate future flooding. Two very sharp turns in the creek bed needed to be straightened out to relieve the pressure of the water at those points. Tons of large rock and debris needed to be moved to create steeper banks and the creek needed to be made deeper.

Then I knew I needed a way to cross the creek safely, and with dry feet, as I take my daily walks through the woodland garden. We chose Tennessee fieldstone boulders to serve as steppers and installed a locust handrail for added safety given that my recent hip replacement surgery following my bicycle accident has me more timid than usual.

The results are amazing!

Flooding of epic proportions from tropical storm Fred on August 17, 2021

William uses the track hoe to reduce sharp curves along the banks of the creek to prevent future flooding.

Chelone, pink turtlehead, still blooming along the reformed banks of the creek

Tennessee fieldstone boulders as steppers across the creek. Native rhododendron, cardinal flower, hydrangea and ferns create a perfect crossing spot

I love my native woodland garden! Locust posts were set in concrete. The locust handrail already has lichen and moss for added character.

Blue lobelia and cardinal flower still blooming along the creek despite the flood

I am grateful that my gardens suffered absolutely no damage, not even the mulch washed out!

Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ along the stone steps to the creek…a long bloomer!

Dahlia ‘Willie Willie’ has a very unique shape to its flower

Then I wanted to experiment with fern spore collection and adding ferns to the area around the new creek crossing.

Fern frond with spore side facing down on white paper for one night

Fern spore pattern on the white paper. These spore have been scattered by the creek. Fingers crossed this little project bears fruit.

Gardening is a labor of love and also one of great optimism. Hurricane Ida is headed this way and all this work could be for naught. I am certain we won’t bear the brunt like New Orleans. Check back in September for an update.