We are constantly updating and improving the grounds here at Taylor Made Retreat to make them even more beautiful and serene for our residents in recovery – and we owe so much of the progress we’ve made to our groundskeeper, Amanda! Check out our Fall Update from Amanda below with some of the recent additions to the grounds Taylor Made.

 

Fall is so beautiful here at Taylor Made Retreat. The leaves are turning all the reds and golds before they fall and the trees sleep for winter.

We have recently added some beautiful silver, orange, and black koi to our upper pond. It’s been really neat to see how the larger fish have taught the younger ones how to school and brave the waters. They have really turned our pond into such a tranquil and meditative space.

The chickens aren’t laying eggs just yet, but they have provided us with pest control and fertilizer for the garden beds. We recently updated the door on their coop in order to make the most of the shortening winter days. 

The veggie beds have been mostly rotated from summer crops to cool season veggies. Tomatoes and eggplants have been replaced with chard and broccoli. The warm season crops did amazingly well, and we were blessed with fresh salsas, hot sauces, roasted veggies, and salads. It was really fun and rewarding for everyone to experience the whole process.

Once the leaves quit falling, we’re looking forward to doing some of the slower season projects.  Helping maintain the grounds gives the clients an opportunity to not only be of service, but to get out of themselves and give back to the community. We have planted over 200 spring flowering bulbs so that the garden beds will just explode in color and joy first thing next spring. We have flower beds to rearrange, and some trail upkeep to attend to once the fall cleanup has commenced to ensure that the property stays as beautiful and welcoming as ever. 

– Amanda