This past week should have been one of the busiest weeks of the whole year in the garden. However, instead of setting out plants, weeding, mulching and making blog posts about it all, I was laid up fighting/recovering from the flu. If you have never had the flu, I don’t recommend you try it. This one bout has been enough to make sure that I never ever miss a flu shot ever again.
The water gardens at Mayfield are lovely
At least something good happened “garden wise” this past week. Last Saturday, Sally and I got to go Austin to give a presentation on organic weed control at the Mayfiled Park Trowel and Error symposium. Mayfield Park (http://mayfieldpark.org/page1.php) is a 23 acre nature preserve deep in the heart of Austin. However, what makes it outstanding (as far as I am concerned) are the two beautiful acres nestled behind rustic stone walls.
All of the beds at Mayfield are paid for and maintained by volunteers
These two acres were once the pride and passion of two remarkable Texans. Dr. Milton Gutsch (Chairman for the History Department at UT for many years) married Mary Mayfield in 1918. In 1922, the young couple moved into the tiny board and batten cottage that had served as a weekend/summer home for the Mayfield family (Mr. Mayfield served as the Chairman of the Railroad Commission and Secretary of State of Texas). Over the next 50 years, the Gutsch’s worked to turn two acres into a beautiful and restful garden dotted with beautiful water features, paved limestone patios and pigeonnier.
A white Banksia is stunning over a limestone archway that leads to a private seating area
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Gutsch gave the property to the city to be used a park. Unfortunately, there was no endowment. So for the next several years the park began to suffer from neglect. Then, in 1986, a group called the Mayfield Park/Community Project came together to return the Mayfield cottage and gardens back to their former glory. This group, headed by Karen Camannati has been at it ever since. This group receives no money from the city of Austin. All of the money for the upkeep of this beautiful and historic place comes from an occasional grant, an annual newsletter and the annual Trowel & Error Symposium.
The flock of peafowl that roam the grounds are all descendants from the first peacocks that came to the property in 1935
I attend a lot of gardening presentations each year. While I usually enjoy all of them, this year’s Trial and Error was one of the most special events that I have ever attended. The welcoming and dedicated spirit of Karen, the generosity of the volunteers and the sheer beauty and history of the place made it the perfect place for a spring gardening event. If you did not make it out to this year’s Trial and Error, please make a point to attend next year. For the past several years Karen and the other members of the board have brought together an impressive array of horticultural speakers. For a $5 donation, you can support an historic Austin gem, learn from talented and passionate gardeners and buy starts from some of the hundreds of antique plants that bloom in the Mayfield gardens. And, if growing plants is not your thing, you can still come. The gardens and the flock of peacocks (that have descended from the original birds gifted to the Gutsch’s in 1935) provide a great opportunity and backdrop for all of you shutterbugs out there.
Pigeonneirs were once common throughout the rural south. Today, they are harder and harder to find. The one at Mayfield is outstanding
I seldom do personal stuff on the blog, but today I am making an exception. Our oldest daughter Kate, is in the hospital. She is suffering from an autoimmune disease called polymyositis. If you are the praying kind, I ask that you remember her and her husband in your prayers. She is in constant pain and there is no quick fix. If you are Catholic and you are participating in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (http://www.praydivinemercy.com/) right now, please offer one up for her!
Prayers changes things..keeping her in my prayers.
We have seen prayer work and we are truly thankful for your willingness to remember our daughter in yours! Thank you so much!
Dear Jay: I am an Episcopal Daughter of the King. Our primary reason for being is to pray for those who ask. I am adding Kate and her husband to our Prayer List. Thank you for telling us about her need. For His Sake, W. Weems
We know that prayer changes things and we truly appreciate each and every one that is offered for our daughter and our whole family. Thank you for adding Katie and our family to your list!
Willeva, I just googled up Episcopal Daughter of the King. My wife and I were not aware of the organization. However, what a wonderful order. May God continue to bless your work and your ministry!
Dear Jay and Sally,
Thank you for coming to Mayfield and making it such a hit. But how awful that you went through the flu and now your daughter is in danger. Indeed, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mayfield was such a treat for us. Thanks for inviting us. My little flu is nothing compared to what our daughter is going through. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. They all seem to be working. She has had pretty significant improvements in the past few days
Just returned from a trip and read your blog. What a terrible time to have the flu! Hope you are on the upswing now. We are lifting Kate up in prayer. I didn’t know about polymyositis, but my husband is familiar with it. He says it is very painful and difficult to work with but there are some effective treatments. We pray for the Lords’ guidance of all the medical practicioners tending her.
Thank you for writing about the Trowel and Error Symposium. I’d like to go to that next year and would love to visit Mayfield Gardens. -Deb K.
Thank you so much Deb. She has had some improvement so maybe all of those prayers are beginning to have their effect. I had not thought to pray for the doctors. So glad you suggested it. They truly need wisdom while dealing with something this rare!
I’ll certainly be praying for Kate and your family!
I started following your blog in the fall and have really enjoyed it! Thanks for writting about the Mayfield Gardens – I didn’t know they existed!
-Jody (a Pearland gardener)
Thanks so much for the prayers and thanks for reading the blog! Mayfield was truly lovely. I had not heard of it either until a friend asked me to speak. So glad I got to explore it. I’m not sure if it was clear in the post but it is all maintained by volunteers. I got to meet several of them and they were all very nice people. Highly recommend it if you are in the Austin area.