Vancouver, WA

I saw the small sign “Earth Friendly Garden Tour” as I was driving down Evergreen Highway. I love to see what other people are doing with their yards, but I was on the wrong side of the street and I didn’t want to attempt a u-turn, so I kept going. I made it about half the way home before I talked myself into turning around and going back. I’m really glad I did.

The first thing I noticed on my way to the house were the huge cedar trees which, I found out later, were as much as 300 years old. They were part of the original land purchase of 180 acres in 1889 by Henry J. Biddle.

His granddaughter, several greats later, told me the fascinating history of how the land came to be back in their hands after the developer, who purchased the land in 2001, was unable to get the city to change its mind about letting him cut down the trees. He had some 200 people and organizations against him, not only because of the cedars, but because the shade they cast over a creek that feeds a spring that keep chum salmon coming back to the foot of the property to spawn each year in December (reminds me of the old poem For Lack of a Nail). The developer finally gave up and offered the land to them if they could meet his sales price in one year. Needless to say, they managed to do so and signed papers in March of 2005.

The family decided to return the property to its original state as much as possible, through earth friendly gardening and also restore the house built in the 1920’s. The results are spectacular, especially considering they have only been working on it for three years. Columbia Springs, as the property is now called, has a breathtaking view of the Columbia River with a huge expanse of rich, green lawn. I was there for quite a while before I realized that the lawn was only about one third grass. I could see that clover was one of the other parts, but have no idea what the third plant was.

The original 75 year-old, 70-foot hydrangea hedge had been torn out except for two bushes. Replanting it was one of the family’s first projects, and it was blooming profusely during my visit. It been replanted and the bushes are growing rapidly. In addition, there are plants to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and even “beneficial” bugs. It is an odd mixture of old and new, with the emphasis on plants and trees that are natural to the area, of lush growth and delicate flowers. But this is also a “working” backyard, where free lectures and workshops are offered; where you can come to be trained as a volunteer. Be sure to bookmark their website http://www.naturallybeautifulbackyards.org/ for upcoming events, especially when the salmon come home to spawn.

I took several packets of information they had available and found that Columbia Springs had been hosting an “Earth-Friendly Garden Tour” of Naturally Beautiful Backyards from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, showcasing 15 back yards in Amboy, LaCenter, Ridgefield, Vancouver and Camas on several different themes. I was actually supposed to have picked up a free ticket at one of several locations, but I didn’t see anyone turned away. I’m hoping this is an annual event so that I can see some of the other yards next year.