GROUNDS KEEPER, inc.: Naturalistic Outdoor Living Spaces in Matawan, NJ

New Jersey Flower & Garden Show

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:06:00 GMT

Our display garden number 7 will be showcasing GONE WITH THE WIND at the 10th Annual 2012 New Jersey Flower & Garden Show being held from Thursday, February 16th through Sunday the 19th at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, New Jersey. This year's garden theme is MOVIE CLASSICS! At the New Jersey Flower & Garden Show, "expect rivers of color and fragrance in beautiful display gardens, sit in on seminars and shop 'til you drop in the Great Garden Marketplace". You can visit www.MacEvents.com for discounted tickets, show times and additional information.

Welcome to GONE WITH THE WIND...

The setting is a Georgia plantation. The year is 1861 and the Civil War brakes out changing the fates and fortunes for all. We invite you to visit GROUNDS KEEPER, of Matawan NJ, on the plantation famously known as Tara. As you wonder through the plantation you will feel and see the Old South and meet Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. You might even hear the voice of Scarlett whispering through the magnolias reminding us that "After all, tomorrow is another day."

Our staff is looking forward to your visit.

purchase tickets

SPRING Pond Cleanout

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:06:00 GMT

Saturday at 11 a.m. Let’s plan for success by getting off to a good start this season with these helpful and timely water gardening step by step tips. Helpful reference material will be given out to all attendees.

Thinking About a Pond?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:07:00 GMT

Saturday at 11 AM. Ponds 101 shows you step-by-step how to create a natural ecosystem pond that will leave you sitting back enjoying the good life, while Mother Nature does all the work for you. All attendees will go home with an AQUASCAPE, inc. micropond Owner's Manual which will serve as a great future reference to keep you on track throughout the seasons of the year.

Gardening With Native Plants (Irene Wanat)

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:02:00 GMT

Saturday at 11 AM. Irene Wanat, Monmouth County Master Gardener and Member of their Speaker's Bureau. Irene is a former French teacher. She has been an active Master Gardener for 20 years, and has inspired many gardeners by giving enthusiastic and knowledgeable presentations through the Master Gardener Speakers Bureau. She has worked locally for several nurseries, giving her first hand knowledge to area gardeners on what grows best. She is one of their most informed gardeners and can identify most flowers, shrubs and perennials by name and species.

In her own 2.5 acre wooded property, Irene specializes in shade gardening, annuals, perennials, woody ornamentals and native plants. Her knowledge of their growing habit, light, and soil requirements is invaluable. She is on of their most popular speakers. Do R.S.V.P. before you come on out. You will be awarded by Irene sharing her wealth of knowledge on Gardening With Native Plants. Don't miss out on this opportunity and prepared to walk away with new creative insight!

Planning a landscape to include native plants is not only striking, but adds diversity to your home. We will recommend plant species that provide both color and beneficial wildlife habitat. Birds and butterflies will enjoy visiting your yard. Native plants are hardy and adapt well in the proper environment. Our slides will show you some of Monmouth County's prize shrubs and perennials and how to integrate them into your gardens.

Hands On Build-A-Pond Day

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:09:00 GMT

Join us for a Hands On Build-A-Pond Day during our spring Water Garden Festival Weekend. Come on out bright and early on Saturday morning April 28th from 9 AM till about 5 PM. Get prepared to get "down and dirty". Participants should consider wearing work boots or old sneakers and to bring their favorite shovel! This will be a great way for those interested in building their own pond to learn from our very own expert team so that you too can gain experience. Help create the latest and greatest natural ecosystem pond performing a display pond renovation at the store. Natural ecosystem ponds work with nature not against her! Our new display will measure out at about 6 x 8 x 2' deep including waterfall construction with a possible optional stream. You will learn answers to such concepts as to how to dig the pond install plumbing, filters and lines; position rocks, best use of aquatic plants, underwater fish caves and LED low voltage lighting; and in the end how to properly reintroduce fish back into the pond. Please RSVP early to ensure yourself a place for this event. Class size is limited. Oh by the way, a light breakfast and lunch will be served!

To All Our Clients...bring a friend with you to visit our POND SHOP and receive back a FREE GIFT! See our selection of beautiful fish and lush aquatic plants and take a moment to enjoy our indoor fountains and outside display garden with featured ponds and bubbling fountains.

GLYNALLYN...A Designer Show House.

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:09:00 GMT

Our street side entry garden will welcome you to "GLYNALLYN"at the Women's Association of Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) 16th Mansion in May Designer Show House and Gardens. Mansion opens to the general public from Tuesday, May 1 thru Thursday, May 31,2012. We look forward to your visit. Upon approach to the long, tree-lined driveway, one gets the immediate sense of having traveled back in time to arrive at a centuries old Elizabethan Tudor castle in the English countryside with an imposing fortified entrance and majestic stained glass windows stretching high upon its façade. It was a time when monarchs reigned supreme and gallant knights on horses stood guard. WAMMC will direct all proceeds towards the new Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Center at Morristown Medical Center. Mansion in May is WAMMC's signature fundraiser and our most profitable event having generated over $6 million for Morristown Medical Center since its inception in 1974. Attendance to their event has steadily increased over the years with over 20,000 visitors touring Mansion in May 2010 at Fawn Hill Farm.

Plan Your Visit

Hours of Mansion during May:

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 3 pm) Monday - Saturday

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at at 4 pm) Sunday

Ticket Prices:

$30 Regular Admission (ages 12 and up)

$25 Senior Regular Admission (62 and older)

$25 Advance Sale Ticket (available through April 30, 2012)

$40 Private Tours (groups of 5 - 15)

Parking: Offsite

Mansion E-Mail: mansioninmay2012@wammc.org or Website: www.MansioninMay.com

Children under 12 years of age are not permitted in the mansion, including infants. The mansion is not handicapped accessible. Photography is not permitted inside the mansion.

HOSTAS...The #1 Perennial. (Barry and Eileen Weissman)

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:05:00 GMT

Saturday Morning May 12th at 11 AM.This program will be on Hostas and Shade Gardening. Hostas are the number one perennial plant sold in the United States. It is known to thrive in shade, but also does well in sun. This program will talk about how to grow and propagate hostas and some companion plants for the same environment.

Our very special guest speakers are Barry and Eileen Weissman; husband and wife Master Gardeners with Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service of Middlesex County and members of the Tri-State Hosta Society. Barry and Eileen Weissman are Hosta Gardeners who have been growing Hostas for over 25 years. They have an Americanized-Japanese Stroll Garden at their home in Piscataway, NJ where they have over 600 Hostas, Koi and another 300 plants, trees and shrubs.

The Weissman's have been involved with the Master Gardeners since their graduation from the training program in 1990 and have been volunteering and making presentations at other garden and civic events ever since. They have been presenters at local flower clubs, the New Jersey Flower Show and have made over 13 presentations at the prestigious world class Philadelphia Flower Show. For sure, do R.S.V.P. for this informative and popular seminar! Seating will be limited.

Wine and Cheese By the Pond

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:14:00 GMT

Join us for our OPEN HOUSE invitation on Thursday Night May 24th at 6:30 PM for a pleasant evening of Wine and Cheese By The Pond at my corporate home office. Pond and Garden Club Members, friends, guests, clients and those just curious enough to like to get to know us better are welcome to come on out for what is surely to be a enjoyable few hours. Experience first hand how an outdoor living space can become an extension of your home. See why an outdoor garden room can be everyone's favorite place to spend quality time with friends and family. Feel how compelling outdoor lighting, music and the beautiful sights, sounds and movement of water in combination within a naturalistic garden display can make a dramatic impact towards gracious living. My friends and co-workers and myself welcome you to join us for this special evening at my home. Looking forward to seeing you all there... Jay Philip Eriv, President and Founder, GROUNDS KEEPER.

The Fragrant Garden (LLA, Daryl Kobesky)

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:13:00 GMT

Saturday Morning May 26th at 11 AM. Gardening with fragrant plants. Contrary to popular opinion it is not just about smelling the roses. Attendees will learn which trees, shrubs and perennials to consider using for fragrance in the garden within each changing season of the year. How and where to use the right plant in the right spot to insure success. Daryl Kobesky, Licensed Landscape Architect, is our special guest speaker and Production Manager for our friends at Pleasant Run Nursery out in Allentown, New Jersey. Along with Fine Gardening Magazine I do consider the passionate plant people and experts at Pleasant Run Nursery as my best kept secret, but they are a secret no more at this helpful seminar on an elusive topic, "The Fragrant Garden". Be prepared to ask questions and get insightful answers. Helpful handout material will be provided. Light refreshments will be served. To insure yourself a seat, be sure to R.S.V.P. well in advance directly to our designer showroom and POND SHOP at 732.566.1600!

Daryl Kobesky grew up in Princeton, NJ, where he got an early start in Horticulture by running his own Lawn Maintenance and Landscaping business in high school. He graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Environmental Planning and Design with a concentration in Landscape Architecture. While at Rutgers he interned at The Rutgers Gardens, and upon graduation he was offered the position of superintendent of the Gardens. He worked there for 3 years with Patrick Cullina (now VP of Horticulture at the High Line in NYC), Dr. Bruce Hamilton and Dr. Elwin Orton, greatly enhancing his plant knowledge and passion for Horticulture.

Daryl then joined in succession two Landscape Architecture firms in New Jersey, where he worked primarily in Construction Administration as a Project Manager, and obtained his license as a Landscape Architect. Wishing to re-enter horticulture on a more hands-on level, he joined Richard and Heidi Hesselein at Pleasant Run Nursery as Production Manager at the age of 30. Since then he has overseen significant expansion of their facilities, production systems and plant varieties (they grow over 1,200 varieties). Daryl has a particular interest in growing tropical plants, stemming from his extensive gardening activities at his own home and those of family and friends.

Daryl has given plant talks at the NJASLA (New Jersey Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects) Annual Meeting, the NJNLA (New Jersey Nurseryman and Landscape Association) Trade Show, the New Jersey Flower & Garden Show and various schools and Garden Clubs. He is now the Central Chapter Chairperson of the NJNLA, and was named their Young Nursery Professional in 2009. He has co-taught Plant and Design courses at Rutgers in their Continuing and Professional Education Department. When not immersed in the nursery business, he surfs, snowboards, cycles, visits botanical gardens and takes photographs of interesting plants.

How to Photograph Your Garden (Alan Leckner)

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:03:00 GMT

Sunday 12 Noon, June 10th, 2011. There is a $10 cost to attend this seminar. Please bring your camera. Award-winning nature photographer Alan Leckner of Leckner Design Associates, Matawan, will show you the light on how to capture the moment and take that perfect garden shot. Alan Leckner is a well established wildlife/nature photographer. He lives in Monmouth County and travels throughout the US creating thoughtful and artistic images of the natural world including birds, bugs, water/landscapes and wildflowers. Alan also chronicled the past work of GROUNDS KEEPER’s clients, photographing both new and established landscaped gardens and ponds. He is currently the President of the Monmouth Camera Club, Colts Neck, NJ, an exhibiting photographer at the Guild of Creative Art and a respected judge of photographic images for camera clubs throughout the state.

NOTE: There is a $10 cost to attend this seminar.Price of admission is redeemable as a coupon towards purchases at the store that same day.

Ornamental Grasses & Bamboo (Bruce Crawford)

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:02:00 GMT

Saturday 10 AM, June 23rd, 2011. There is a $10 cost to attend this seminar. Bruce Crawford, Landscape Architect and Director of the Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick, has taught a variety of practical landscape solution, design and architecture courses over the years at Rutgers University. His breadth and depth of knowledge as well as his passion for the subject make him an excellent instructor. Attendees will benefit from some best use practical advice.

NOTE: There is a $10 cost to attend this seminar. Price of admission is redeemable as a coupon towards purchases at the store that same day.

Parade of Ponds Garden and Pond Tour

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:02:00 GMT

Guided Bus Tour

All Weekend on Saturday July 7th and Sunday July 8th.

Tour begins at 9 AM with check-in at 8:30 AM at our Pond Shop with the gardens being open daily until 5 PM only so please do plan your day accordingly. We are conveniently located in Matawan, New Jersey at 798 Highway 34. You can call 732.566.1600 directly for more information. This Annual Charity Event will showcase the beautiful and often private world of water gardens. You can expect in the range of 20 wonderful outdoor garden spaces (about 10 each day) being open to the public, but just for this one special weekend so don't miss this opportunity. Experience firsthand the beauty, relaxation and tranquility found in the many forms water gardens can take, including ponds, waterfalls, streams, fountains and pools. Continental breakfast will be served at our shop.

The plan is to be out for a good part of the day, but expect southern locations being visited on Saturday and an emphasis on a more central route on Sunday. Residences on the tour are mostly located in the Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex County area surrounding our Pond Shop. First come first served basis for to guarantee a seat on the bus. Reservations are accepted 6 days a week (...closed on Monday).

For those of you that would like to go off on their own, you may pick up the tour map that morning. As stated, gardens are only open to the public until 5 PM daily at which time everyone is welcome to return to GROUNDS KEEPER at 6 PM for a reception and we will be available for any questions.

New Jersey Butterflies - Simply Perfect

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:01:00 GMT

Saturday Morning at 11 am. A sampling of New Jersey’s wonderful butterflies in all their glory is featured. Representatives of each of the state’s major butterfly families are included. The program discusses when and where to find these little gems and the reasons for their success and growing popularity.

Pete Bacinski is Director of the New Jersey Audubon Society’s Sandy Hook Bird Observatory with over 25 years of tour and workshop experience. He grew up in Lyndhurst, NJ with an interest in natural history since early childhood. He attended Pace University in New York City receiving a B.S. in biology followed by M.S. in biology, specializing in entomology, and an MBA in marketing both from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Pete began volunteering for New Jersey Audubon in 1971, leading his first field trip for the organization in 1973. He has participated in every World Series of Birding competition since the event’s inception in 1984 including three winning teams in 1984, 1988 and 1990. Pete was a member of the New Jersey Bird Records Committee for eleven years and was a regional field notes editor for Records of New Jersey birds for eight years. He established and directs the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory for NJAS and is co-compiler and voice of the Voice of New Jersey Audubon rare bird alert for the state of New Jersey. Pete has also been a steering committee member and regional coordinator for the Birds of New Jersey atlas project and currently writes a weekly column in the Newark Star Ledger entitled Seen in New Jersey. Pete’s favorite natural history interests are birds, butterflies, wildflowers, ferns, insects, “herps”, and mammals. Other interests include classical music, American History, audio-books, weather, public speaking and photography. Pete currently resides in Atlantic Highlands.

The Nature of Sandy Hook

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Saturday Morning 11 am. After this seminar, you’ll want to visit one of New Jersey’s premier year-round birding and natural history destinations. Learn the significance of Sandy Hook as an important birding area for critical migrating species along the Atlantic Flyway and enjoy a program of wonderful images of some of the Hook’s 350 recorded avian species as well as the six-mile barrier beach peninsula’s habitats and flora and fauna.

Winterize Your Pond

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:02:00 GMT

Sunday at 11 AM on October 14th, 2011. Now is the time to learn the appropriate steps in caring for your plants and fish to ensure their survival before the onset of winter. Immediately thereafter a demonstration will be given on how to properly net over your pond.

Hands On Build-A-Pondless Waterfall Day

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:05:00 GMT

Saturday All Day 9 AM to 5 PM on October 27th

We Will Be Hosting Our Annual Hands On Build-A-Pondless Waterfall Day

For those individuals who like to take on new challenges themselves. This special construction will have our certified pond builders and rainxchange experts on hand to discuss this extraordinary build. Do-It-Yourselfers are invited to participate! Together we will create a Pondless Waterfall highlighting the sights and sounds of moving water. Pondless Waterfalls are ideal for those who have limited space, have concerns about ponds and want a water feature! You will learn how to dig out for the water feature; install plumbing, filters and lines; position rocks, best use of aquatic plants and LED low voltage lighting.

In ecological terms we will be making this Pondless Waterfall into a more self sustaining water feature by harvesting the rain coming off of the roof tying in the downspout so as to supplement the collection basin during rainfall. Did you know that approximately 80% of rainwater runs into storm sewers versus soaking into the ground? By capturing rainwater before it enters the sewer system, it can be filtered and stored with the option to access it for future use. Utilizing rainwater for gardens and lawns reduces the strain on municipal systems. What's more, the stored rainwater can alleviate shortages during periods of drought. AQUASCAPE, inc. has designed a rainwater harvest storage system that helps alleviate flooding that typically occurs when heavy rains follow drought. Systems can be designed to even supplement a decorative fountainscape. You can consider every day possibilities like using stored water to irrigate your lawn, water your flower beds or simply washing your car.

Be prepared to take notes and ask questions during this topical earth friendly open discussion and hands on build. Come out to see how something so beautiful can help conserve water too!! Call to register and for details at 732.566.1600 or visit our website. Space is limited. Refreshments and lunch will be served!

Container Gardening for the Holidays (Bruce Crawford)

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Saturday 11 AM, November 10th, 2011. Bruce Crawford, Landscape Architect and Director of the Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick, has taught a variety of practical landscape solution, design and architecture courses over the years at Rutgers University. His breadth and depth of knowledge as well as his passion for the subject make him an excellent instructor. Bruce is kind enough to return this year offering us a just in time presentation on "Container Gardening for the Holidays". Most people think of decorating and planting their containers only in May, so they look attractive for the summer. However, what about the Fall and winter? Bruce will discuss tricks and techniques, from selecting your container to items to add that will prove helpful in making your containers attractive through the Fall and Holiday season - and beyond!