The Heironimus’ inspiring 1.5  acres of native and natural woodland gardens have been a 25 year labor of love. Credit: Submitted

APPLE VALLEY — A group of about 24 local gardeners met recently for a tour of the native plant and perennial gardens at Terri and Jim Heironimus’ home in Apple Valley. 

The tour was part of the Local Food Council’s monthly Meet Me in the Garden learning series. The topic was Native Plants and Pollinators at Home.

The Heironimus’ inspiring 1.5  acres of native and natural woodland gardens have been a 25 year labor of love.

The couple started their backyard garden on a fairly steep open meadow behind their home. They began with some familiar trees like Blue Spruce, Crimson King Maple, Holly and Birch that Terri grew up with in Wisconsin. 

A keystone tree species in their natural habitat are Oak trees which host many types of caterpillars.

Terri, an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist, is the mastermind behind their home pollinator gardens.

She added the native Ohio River Birch, which is a popular ornamental shade tree, known for its flaky orange bark and rippling foliage in the breeze. The side yard features some beautiful Tulip trees and a Dawn Redwood from China, both great pollinator trees.

The gardens also feature a native seed collection garden that includes Blue sage, Hoary Vervain, Phlox, Sky Blue Aster and Lobelia.

There are fern gardens with Ostrich and Wood fern. In open meadow areas the couple have planted a wildflower field that includes Bergamot (commonly known as Bee Balm), Echinacea, Rosinweed, and Little Bluestem. 

The meadow and wildflowers are slowly being crowded out with succession trees, including volunteer oaks, a welcome addition.

The next Meet me in the Garden event will be all about bugs, both good and bad, in the garden with Sabrina Schirtzinger, OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator. 

Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, will be hosted by Faith Lutheran Community Garden on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m.

The Meet Me in the Garden learning sessions are designed for new and experienced gardeners and are free of charge. Follow the Knox County Local Food Council on Facebook for event updates.

For more information, contact the Knox County Local Food Council at knoxcountylocalfoodcouncil.@gmail.com or 740-326-5073.