Unique, productive ways to work with you
We help you with "barn raisings" and schedule workshops called
"Garden by Janet &
Steven."
Barn raisings
Barn raisings are a way for do-it-yourself
people to tackle a project that requires more than their own
expertise and manpower. This approach is appropriate for those who
have a design they've developed or had drawn.
At a barn raising, you provide the labor (family and friends,
perhaps) and as many of the needed materials as you can assemble.
We provide the expert supervising laborer(s) who will instruct and
work with your "crew." We can also obtain and deliver needed tools
and materials to the site.
People who wish to learn how to do their own landscape work may
opt for this method of planting, then continue on their own after
one concerted effort under our guidance.
Garden by Janet
& Steven
Garden by Janet & Steven sessions
are unique offerings, which we extend to our readers/students when
certain projects we undertake as professional gardeners also
qualify as teaching/learning opportunities and the client is
willing to allow that type of crew to participate.
Garden by Janet & Steven sessions are similar to a
barn raising in being group efforts, but those who attend are
volunteers. They participate because they wish to observe or learn
a process. Once on site it is each volunteer's choice to simply
observe or to also pitch in.
Many of our Garden by Janet and Steven sessions are
listed in our calendar (Where We're Appearing).
In addition to conducting these at clients' gardens, we also
conduct them at gardens where we are regular volunteers. People
come to these sessions for the fun of working in a group or to
learn in the field and with their own hands.
At Garden by Janet and Steven sessions, we plan the
work and bill our on-site design/maintenance time to the garden
owner. Any time saved because students pitched in, is passed on to
the garden owner in the form of fewer hours billed. We work with
you regarding the composition and size of the group involved, and
coordinate all arrangements with students such as time, directions
to the site, tools needed, etc.
Interested in working with us and have a project that may
qualify as a Garden by Janet and Steven session? The
project must fit within these criteria:
- We are hired as professional gardeners or the work is on a site
where we volunteer regularly.
- The client must allow us free rein regarding procedure, even to
possible pre-arranged experimentation.
- The client allows visitors who would work under our supervision
if they pitch in.
- We must be or become familiar with the site and plant history
so we can explain how these affect the work's "what" and
"why."
- We have determined that the plants and site will serve as clear
examples of the involved processes.
- The work must be of common interest, likely to draw
participants.
- Most often, the site must be visible from a public way so those
who attend can drive by in the future to see "what happens
next."
If you would like to discuss setting up a barn raising or
Garden by Janet and Steven, you might ask us about it when
we meet to plan your garden project. Alternatively, contact us by
phone (248-681-7850) or email.
If you're looking for education for groups in more conventional
format (classes, hands-on workshops, lectures, etc.) then look at
our list of talks and classes at Invite Us to Speak. Or you may
garner ideas from the list of Where We're Appearing, including barn
raisings, Garden By Janet & Steven sessions and
conventional talks.
