Hands-on is probably the best way to describe the garden of Ann and Ridge Grenz.

The couple relishes the opportunity to create new spaces in their yard each year. It’s evolved into a useful, creative and relaxing space for the couple and their family.

“We love to live in our garden,” Ann said. “We even encourage our grandkids to pick flowers.”

Their garden is a blend of select perennials interspersed with bright, containers filled with thriving annuals. Walkways guide visitors through the landscape, but invite them to take it slow and get sidetracked exploring areas along the way. There’s something special to be seen in virtually every nook and cranny.

“Everything has been done by us,” Ann said. “We really like what our yard has become.”

If Ann and Ridge end up on the back patio relaxing one evening, they’ll most certainly be up and about before long, pulling a few weeds or make adjustments someplace in the yard.

“We love to do the work,” said Ridge, who has used his welding skills around the yard in countless ways.

He welded the fence around their vegetable garden, and several of the small metal sculptures tucked around the yard. He also put his welding skills to work when he made stands for their rain barrels.

Ridge also laid the back patio himself — twice — after a rainstorm washed it out the first time. He also turned old barn wood and windows he found at an auction into a potting shed, laden with interesting ornaments and plants.

Ann has worked at Klingers Farm Market for 16 years, and admits she enjoys the perks of such a job. She gets a look at new varieties of plants as soon as they come in.

“We strive to be different,” Ann said. “I’ve always liked different stuff anyway.”

One challenge they have learned to overcome is a large black walnut tree, which produces a chemical called juglone. Juglone is toxic to tomatoes, which the Grenz’s must grow in containers instead of the ground like the rest of their vegetable garden.

Neighborhood squirrels, however, make out like bandits due to the tree. Last fall it produced 11 50-pound barrels of walnuts.

Visitors will notice several plants considered by gardeners to sometimes be invasive or “weeds” have been worked into the landscape in a pleasing fashion.

“The monarchs like the milkweed, but we have to keep it in check,” Ridge said.

A rock wall along the sidewalk, which is home to blue fescue, hens-and-chicks, and several types of sedum, often catches the eye of passers-by.

“People see just the area we have in front and compliment the yard, but they don’t realize how much else we have in the back,” Ann said.

The Grenz’s travels yield more treasures for the yard.

“We go on vacation, and we collect rocks and other things to add to our garden. Whatever we find in our travels, finds a place in the yard,” Ridge said, noting people will find a little pile of rocks from locations ranging from the west coast of the U.S. to Puerto Rico.

A firepit with a bench nearby offers an inviting place to spend cool fall evenings.

One of Ridge’s favorite areas is his tiny swamp garden, which he made out of a whiskey barrel and filled with cattails.

Nearby, an old birdhouse Ann found at a garage sale for $2 was the perfect canvas for several varieties of succulents. A pair of old wooden shoes was even transformed into little planters. Nearby, an old birdhouse Ann found at a garage sale for $2 was the perfect canvas for several varieties of succulents. A pair of old wooden shoes was even transformed into little planters“

We hope people take it all in and spend time looking around at everything we have tucked in and around the garden,” Ann said.

June 23, 2012 12:00 pm  •  By CANDICE WHITE | candice.white@lee.net