My Stories
See Shirley’s stories…
St. Charles garden in magazine
Read a story written by Shirley about the garden of Jan and Rand Saltsgaver, featured in the Summer 2009 issue of Deck, Patio & Pool, a Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication.
Shirley produces urban garden
Read about Peter Georgiou’s Lakeview neighborhood terrace garden in the July issue of Better Homes & Gardens, on the stands now.
St. Charles home in garden book
Read about the lovely garden of Ed and Jane Gabrielse, featured in the softcover book Dream Cottage Gardens, on the newsstands now.
10 Tips for Designing Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are one of the hottest new trends, even in the Midwest. They improve the value of your home (no small thing in this soft real estate market) and create another garden room for you to enjoy. Even in the Midwest with its cold winters, people are building outdoor kitchens to extend the time they spend outside.
See Shirley’s garden in BH&G
My shed and my raised beds in front of it are featured in the April Better Homes & Gardens magazine. See how to build raised beds, mixing vegetables and flowers, for useful as well as beautiful raised beds.
Winter Blooms: Sweet Scents and Captivating Colors
Shirley’s article in Victoria magazine tells how to force bulbs to bring an early spring to your home.
It’s Easy Growing Pumpkins
Pick your pumpkin. Soup up your patch with these standout varieties. Shirley’s pumpkin story in Cottage Living magazine.
Formal Attire
This formal garden is what these north suburban homeowners get to enjoy on the walk to their garage. Designed by Schmechtig Landscape Company of Mundelein.