2019 Garden Tour and Outdoor Classroom - Practical Magic
Saturday June 15th, 2019, From 9am to 1pm
Welcome to ECCO!
Many neighbors enjoyed the 1-mile walking tour through the heart of our historic neighborhood.
Five homeowners opened their gardens to us to share their green respite and demonstrate the functionality of landscaping – beauty, shade, water control structure, outdoor living rooms, and homegrown vegetables. The Perennial Garden located south of Varner Hall was also featured on the tour.
We are anticipating the loss of many Ash trees in coming years throughout ECCO. Proceeds from the Garden Tour will help fund the purchase of replacement trees for ECCO property owners. Maintaining our beautiful canopy of trees in ECCO is paramount to its historic character; we hope to be able to replace many trees in advance of the loss of larger trees, to mitigate the effect on our neighborhood. Your participation in the tour helps to make this a reality.
Archived descriptions of gardens on the tour:
Marilyn Schuler – 1111 North 40th Street
This garden is not to be missed! As you stroll through her charming cottage garden, local artist Marilyn Schuler’s creative magic and personality are on full display. She began gardening in earnest 15 years ago, transforming “ordinary” items and redefining “garden art” with her unique creations. Her favorite components are the unique china and glassware art pieces she has created; the gravel pathways that meander through the garden; and the overall atmosphere and experience she has worked to create. She keeps a “garden journal”, and has designed a space where perennials are always in bloom – her garden is different in some way, every day! Marilyn’s garden is scaled to accentuate her cottage home, and also incorporates a garden shed, and the many whimsical touches and designs that will take you by surprise – you may have to walk through it twice, to catch it all! This garden has several specific themes, and creates a tranquil retreat where you will want to linger.
Roy Maurer & Denny Macomber – “Reborn & Redefined” – 1444 North 37th Street
ECCO residents Roy and Denny have renovated their 1917 home and surrounding gardens, working their green thumb magic to create a unique collection of spaces for outdoor enjoyment. Their amazing vision and sweat equity have created a space to be proud of in the ECCO neighborhood. Following an unfortunate sewer leak and subsequent garden destruction four years ago, they created an entirely new space that includes a greenhouse, tiered garden walls, raised beds fashioned from horse tanks, and incorporates a grape arbor that had to relocate for those four years. This year, bees have been added to the mix in their walled garden, which features an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, water feature, renovated veranda, and stone pathways. Their outer walled garden enhances the property perimeter, and adds interest for passersby. They combine a lush array of perennials with a multitude of ornamental pots of tropicals and annuals, along with well-placed statuary. Their welcoming garden always holds a surprise or new addition – a work in progress!
Robert Bienhoff – “Calling All Butterflies” – 1354 N 39th Street
Robert has been an ECCO denizen since 1974, and has spent years helping others maintain their lawns and gardens in the neighborhood. Over the years, he developed an interest in building his own garden, and began adding plants and trying DIY gardening ideas. Like many neighborhood gardens, Robert started with plant gifts from others – a rich tradition in ECCO. Robert especially loves butterfly bushes – they form the foundation for his developing garden – he has endless varieties, and a sunny spot to support them! He is always the first to see Monarch butterflies return! His garden includes lilies, iris, and sweet peas – he loves “old-fashioned” plants that add color, and that attract butterflies. Robert donates butterfly bushes to others, and plants them to boot! His garden is a “work in progress” – he is always tweaking and adding new plants and ideas – and butterfly bushes – in his evolving garden.
Paul and Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House - 4027 Holdrege
This house, built in 1918, was destined for the wrecking ball when it was purchased by Paul & Sherri Johnson in 2009. The next two years were spent renovating the property, restoring its charm and saving a classic East Campus Neighborhood home. It is now the Johnson Guest House, a fully-furnished, extended stay home-away-from-home for Lincoln visitors. Landscaping was included in the renovation project. The front garden area incorporates a rain garden. Underground drainage tubes divert water from roof downspouts into the garden. The landscape design emphasizes low maintenance native grasses & drought-tolerant plants. Wood mulch is used to reduce weeds and water loss. Landscape boulders that were unearthed from previous owners’ landscaping are re-purposed as borders. A cost-sharing grant through a program with the City of Lincoln Watershed Management Division helped with rain garden design & initial construction costs. The back yard was re-graded for proper drainage and re-seeded with low maintenance turf grasses. The Guest House is a gift to the ECCO neighborhood we all can enjoy!
Alan & Mary Belka – “Always Changing” – 1420 N 37th Street
This garden has a rich history. Built in 1918, this “Professors’ Row” Prairie Style Arts and Crafts home was occupied by William Dunman, UNL horticulturist from England, and his family from 1928 to 1960, when it was purchased by Mary’s parents (Dad was an agronomist). The landscaping of this long-time family home was rebuilt from scratch starting in 2009. The garden includes original, old-fashioned flowers and shrubs from Mr. Dunman’s time as its steward. Designs submitted by UNL Landscape Architecture students led by Dr. Richard Sutton, provided the foundation for the garden you see today, including paver and flagstone patio areas, pathways, and pergola. The original garage was replaced by a garage ”man-cave” structure in 2016. The Belkas have worked to recapture the feel of the old garden, paying homage to the former owners, and creating a fresh, usable space that is truly a respite for all who enter it.
Learn from City of Lincoln Groundwater Educator – 4027 Holdrege
9:15 Fun with Rain Barrels - learn more about how you can use rain barrels to transform your garden.
Learn from Master Gardeners! - 1420 N 37th
Take a stop from the tour to learn from Master Gardeners Denny Macomber and Linda Krutz. Each session will be 30 minutes. Classes will be held in the driveway of Mary and Alan Belka’s home at 1420 N 37th.
10:00 Pots & Container Gardens
10:45 Perennials for the Garden
11:30 Soils & Fertilizers for Tropicals & Succulents
12:15 Bees in the Garden
How does ECCO spend our funds?
ECCO works to support 'Neighbors talking to Neighbors' for the enjoyment of community and as a means of community action where we can play an active role in our relationship with the City of Lincoln and area businesses. Funds are used to support communication through our website and newsletter printing. We host the neighborhood Fourth of July Parade activities, recognize good curb appeal (and holiday decorations!) by celebrating a Yard of the Month. ECCO organizes a neighborhood clean-up each spring, and makes a contribution to support the East Campus Starrs' Easter Egg Hunt in McAdams Park. A major focus is to continue our work to establish and maintain the canopy of mature trees that shade our streets and add value to homes, especially in anticipation of the loss of Ash trees in the coming years.
2019 ECCO Garden Tour
Mini-classes with Master Gardeners – 1420 N 37th
Paul & Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House – 4027 Holdrege
Robert Bienhoff – 1354 N 39th St
Marilyn Schuler – 1111 N 40th St
Alan and Mary Belka – 1420 N 37th St
Roy Maurer & Denny Macomber – 1444 N 37th
Donations to the re-treeing effort are also welcome!
Please make checks out to ECCO (Re-tree Fund) and mail to:
Roy Maurer
ECCO Treasurer
PO Box 4193
Lincoln NE 68504
Saturday June 15th, 2019, From 9am to 1pm
Welcome to ECCO!
Many neighbors enjoyed the 1-mile walking tour through the heart of our historic neighborhood.
Five homeowners opened their gardens to us to share their green respite and demonstrate the functionality of landscaping – beauty, shade, water control structure, outdoor living rooms, and homegrown vegetables. The Perennial Garden located south of Varner Hall was also featured on the tour.
We are anticipating the loss of many Ash trees in coming years throughout ECCO. Proceeds from the Garden Tour will help fund the purchase of replacement trees for ECCO property owners. Maintaining our beautiful canopy of trees in ECCO is paramount to its historic character; we hope to be able to replace many trees in advance of the loss of larger trees, to mitigate the effect on our neighborhood. Your participation in the tour helps to make this a reality.
Archived descriptions of gardens on the tour:
Marilyn Schuler – 1111 North 40th Street
This garden is not to be missed! As you stroll through her charming cottage garden, local artist Marilyn Schuler’s creative magic and personality are on full display. She began gardening in earnest 15 years ago, transforming “ordinary” items and redefining “garden art” with her unique creations. Her favorite components are the unique china and glassware art pieces she has created; the gravel pathways that meander through the garden; and the overall atmosphere and experience she has worked to create. She keeps a “garden journal”, and has designed a space where perennials are always in bloom – her garden is different in some way, every day! Marilyn’s garden is scaled to accentuate her cottage home, and also incorporates a garden shed, and the many whimsical touches and designs that will take you by surprise – you may have to walk through it twice, to catch it all! This garden has several specific themes, and creates a tranquil retreat where you will want to linger.
Roy Maurer & Denny Macomber – “Reborn & Redefined” – 1444 North 37th Street
ECCO residents Roy and Denny have renovated their 1917 home and surrounding gardens, working their green thumb magic to create a unique collection of spaces for outdoor enjoyment. Their amazing vision and sweat equity have created a space to be proud of in the ECCO neighborhood. Following an unfortunate sewer leak and subsequent garden destruction four years ago, they created an entirely new space that includes a greenhouse, tiered garden walls, raised beds fashioned from horse tanks, and incorporates a grape arbor that had to relocate for those four years. This year, bees have been added to the mix in their walled garden, which features an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, water feature, renovated veranda, and stone pathways. Their outer walled garden enhances the property perimeter, and adds interest for passersby. They combine a lush array of perennials with a multitude of ornamental pots of tropicals and annuals, along with well-placed statuary. Their welcoming garden always holds a surprise or new addition – a work in progress!
Robert Bienhoff – “Calling All Butterflies” – 1354 N 39th Street
Robert has been an ECCO denizen since 1974, and has spent years helping others maintain their lawns and gardens in the neighborhood. Over the years, he developed an interest in building his own garden, and began adding plants and trying DIY gardening ideas. Like many neighborhood gardens, Robert started with plant gifts from others – a rich tradition in ECCO. Robert especially loves butterfly bushes – they form the foundation for his developing garden – he has endless varieties, and a sunny spot to support them! He is always the first to see Monarch butterflies return! His garden includes lilies, iris, and sweet peas – he loves “old-fashioned” plants that add color, and that attract butterflies. Robert donates butterfly bushes to others, and plants them to boot! His garden is a “work in progress” – he is always tweaking and adding new plants and ideas – and butterfly bushes – in his evolving garden.
Paul and Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House - 4027 Holdrege
This house, built in 1918, was destined for the wrecking ball when it was purchased by Paul & Sherri Johnson in 2009. The next two years were spent renovating the property, restoring its charm and saving a classic East Campus Neighborhood home. It is now the Johnson Guest House, a fully-furnished, extended stay home-away-from-home for Lincoln visitors. Landscaping was included in the renovation project. The front garden area incorporates a rain garden. Underground drainage tubes divert water from roof downspouts into the garden. The landscape design emphasizes low maintenance native grasses & drought-tolerant plants. Wood mulch is used to reduce weeds and water loss. Landscape boulders that were unearthed from previous owners’ landscaping are re-purposed as borders. A cost-sharing grant through a program with the City of Lincoln Watershed Management Division helped with rain garden design & initial construction costs. The back yard was re-graded for proper drainage and re-seeded with low maintenance turf grasses. The Guest House is a gift to the ECCO neighborhood we all can enjoy!
Alan & Mary Belka – “Always Changing” – 1420 N 37th Street
This garden has a rich history. Built in 1918, this “Professors’ Row” Prairie Style Arts and Crafts home was occupied by William Dunman, UNL horticulturist from England, and his family from 1928 to 1960, when it was purchased by Mary’s parents (Dad was an agronomist). The landscaping of this long-time family home was rebuilt from scratch starting in 2009. The garden includes original, old-fashioned flowers and shrubs from Mr. Dunman’s time as its steward. Designs submitted by UNL Landscape Architecture students led by Dr. Richard Sutton, provided the foundation for the garden you see today, including paver and flagstone patio areas, pathways, and pergola. The original garage was replaced by a garage ”man-cave” structure in 2016. The Belkas have worked to recapture the feel of the old garden, paying homage to the former owners, and creating a fresh, usable space that is truly a respite for all who enter it.
Learn from City of Lincoln Groundwater Educator – 4027 Holdrege
9:15 Fun with Rain Barrels - learn more about how you can use rain barrels to transform your garden.
Learn from Master Gardeners! - 1420 N 37th
Take a stop from the tour to learn from Master Gardeners Denny Macomber and Linda Krutz. Each session will be 30 minutes. Classes will be held in the driveway of Mary and Alan Belka’s home at 1420 N 37th.
10:00 Pots & Container Gardens
10:45 Perennials for the Garden
11:30 Soils & Fertilizers for Tropicals & Succulents
12:15 Bees in the Garden
How does ECCO spend our funds?
ECCO works to support 'Neighbors talking to Neighbors' for the enjoyment of community and as a means of community action where we can play an active role in our relationship with the City of Lincoln and area businesses. Funds are used to support communication through our website and newsletter printing. We host the neighborhood Fourth of July Parade activities, recognize good curb appeal (and holiday decorations!) by celebrating a Yard of the Month. ECCO organizes a neighborhood clean-up each spring, and makes a contribution to support the East Campus Starrs' Easter Egg Hunt in McAdams Park. A major focus is to continue our work to establish and maintain the canopy of mature trees that shade our streets and add value to homes, especially in anticipation of the loss of Ash trees in the coming years.
2019 ECCO Garden Tour
Mini-classes with Master Gardeners – 1420 N 37th
Paul & Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House – 4027 Holdrege
Robert Bienhoff – 1354 N 39th St
Marilyn Schuler – 1111 N 40th St
Alan and Mary Belka – 1420 N 37th St
Roy Maurer & Denny Macomber – 1444 N 37th
Donations to the re-treeing effort are also welcome!
Please make checks out to ECCO (Re-tree Fund) and mail to:
Roy Maurer
ECCO Treasurer
PO Box 4193
Lincoln NE 68504
Garden Tour note cards!
We have beautiful note cards available from the 2014 garden tour.
Cards are available during the ECCO garden tour at any of the tour sites for $5 per pack.
Hope Anderson's photographs from the ECCO Garden Tour are printed on beautiful note cards. Images of the cards are below!
Ten 4.25” x 5.5” blank note cards from the June 7, 2014 Garden Tour – 10 different scenes, 10 envelopes for $5.
Claudia has coordinated this wonderful project so that 100% of proceeds will go to ECCO’s re-tree project!
We have beautiful note cards available from the 2014 garden tour.
Cards are available during the ECCO garden tour at any of the tour sites for $5 per pack.
Hope Anderson's photographs from the ECCO Garden Tour are printed on beautiful note cards. Images of the cards are below!
Ten 4.25” x 5.5” blank note cards from the June 7, 2014 Garden Tour – 10 different scenes, 10 envelopes for $5.
Claudia has coordinated this wonderful project so that 100% of proceeds will go to ECCO’s re-tree project!
2016 Garden Tour and Outdoor Classroom
Saturday June 4th, 2016
Lora Black – 1221 N 37th St
Susan Nichols – 1245 N 37th St
Alan & Mary Belka – “Life After Construction” – 1420 N 37th Street
Robert Bienhoff – “A Work in Progress” – 1354 N 39th Street
Roy Maurer & Denny Macomber – “Rentals Can Be Beautiful, Too” – 3855 & 3865 Holdrege Street
Paul and Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House - 4027 Holdrege
Classes with Master Gardeners! - Denny Macomber and Linda Krutz
- Composting for a Healthier Garden
- The Downsized Veggie Garden
- Raising Your Own Bedding Plants
Saturday June 4th, 2016
Lora Black – 1221 N 37th St
Susan Nichols – 1245 N 37th St
Alan & Mary Belka – “Life After Construction” – 1420 N 37th Street
Robert Bienhoff – “A Work in Progress” – 1354 N 39th Street
Roy Maurer & Denny Macomber – “Rentals Can Be Beautiful, Too” – 3855 & 3865 Holdrege Street
Paul and Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House - 4027 Holdrege
Classes with Master Gardeners! - Denny Macomber and Linda Krutz
- Composting for a Healthier Garden
- The Downsized Veggie Garden
- Raising Your Own Bedding Plants
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Check out pictures from the 2016 garden tour on the photos page, here. Thanks to Mandy Lipinski for the beautiful photography from the day! |
2014 ECCO Garden Tour
Saturday June 7th, 2014
Check out photos from the day taken by our neighbor Hope Anderson! Hope has donated her photos for us to turn into beautiful note cards. Details are above, and all the proceeds will go toward our re-tree project!
2014 ECCO Garden Tour
Mini-classes with Master Gardeners – 1420 N 37th
Varner Trial Nursery – 3835 Holdrege
Paul & Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House – 4027 Holdrege
Janet Buck & Roger Hansen – 4105 Y St
Sue & Larry Dawson – 3750 W St
Shirley Anderson – 3710 W St
Lora Black – 1221 N 37th
Lynn Frankowski & Mark Lynott – 1231 N 37th
Susan Nichols – 1245 N 37th
Classes with Master Gardeners Denny Macomber, and Linda Krutz!
- Composting for a Healthier Garden
- Making Amazing Container Gardens
- Perennial Selections for Your Yard
- Tree Care
Saturday June 7th, 2014
Check out photos from the day taken by our neighbor Hope Anderson! Hope has donated her photos for us to turn into beautiful note cards. Details are above, and all the proceeds will go toward our re-tree project!
2014 ECCO Garden Tour
Mini-classes with Master Gardeners – 1420 N 37th
Varner Trial Nursery – 3835 Holdrege
Paul & Sherri Johnson – The Johnson Guest House – 4027 Holdrege
Janet Buck & Roger Hansen – 4105 Y St
Sue & Larry Dawson – 3750 W St
Shirley Anderson – 3710 W St
Lora Black – 1221 N 37th
Lynn Frankowski & Mark Lynott – 1231 N 37th
Susan Nichols – 1245 N 37th
Classes with Master Gardeners Denny Macomber, and Linda Krutz!
- Composting for a Healthier Garden
- Making Amazing Container Gardens
- Perennial Selections for Your Yard
- Tree Care
Thank you for the trees!
We've planted 38 trees with the help of 19 neighborhood volunteers!
Our tree planting efforts in 2013 were supported by a grant from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, NeighborWorks Lincoln and all the wonderful folks who helped put on and turn out for the ECCO Garden Tour. We continue to raise funds to contribute to our tree planting efforts.
Several years ago, informal conversations among neighbors discussed how the neighborhood has changed over the last several decades. Some of the “old timers” reminisced of the canopied streets that made up much of the neighborhood. Much of that canopy has been lost due to tree disease resulting in many of those mature trees being removed.
Street trees are those trees that reside on the public right away in front of each of our homes (generally between the street and several feet of the sidewalk depending on where city right away exists)
The ECCO board, in conjunction with some highly passionate neighbors, has begun the process of raising funds to begin the replanting process. Over the next several decades, many more trees will mature and die or be lost to disease. It is import for the appearance of a mature neighborhood and to maintain property values that we start the replanting process. It will be decades before the trees we plant now will become the size and grandeur of some of the oldest trees in the neighborhood.
ECCO applied for and received a grant from Trees for Nebraska Towns (TNT) in 2012 to begin the replanting process of our neighborhood street trees. ECCO raised $2,700 through our garden tour and donations in 2013! For each dollar we raise TNT matched funds towards our project. As a result $5,400 was used last year to begin what will be a master project to re-tree the neighborhood over the next several years.
Planting began in the fall of 2013.
Donations for this project may be sent to ECCO Re-tree fund via the treasurer, see the form below for more.
Special Thank You to Donors in 2013: Richard & Lisa Sutton, Denny Macomber & Roy Maurer, Joyce Urbanovsky, John & Cathy McQuinn, Michael & Judith Berggren, Kendal Garrison & Errol Coleman, TJ Fontaine & Karie Decker, and David & Cindy Loope.
Street trees are those trees that reside on the public right away in front of each of our homes (generally between the street and several feet of the sidewalk depending on where city right away exists)
The ECCO board, in conjunction with some highly passionate neighbors, has begun the process of raising funds to begin the replanting process. Over the next several decades, many more trees will mature and die or be lost to disease. It is import for the appearance of a mature neighborhood and to maintain property values that we start the replanting process. It will be decades before the trees we plant now will become the size and grandeur of some of the oldest trees in the neighborhood.
ECCO applied for and received a grant from Trees for Nebraska Towns (TNT) in 2012 to begin the replanting process of our neighborhood street trees. ECCO raised $2,700 through our garden tour and donations in 2013! For each dollar we raise TNT matched funds towards our project. As a result $5,400 was used last year to begin what will be a master project to re-tree the neighborhood over the next several years.
Planting began in the fall of 2013.
Donations for this project may be sent to ECCO Re-tree fund via the treasurer, see the form below for more.
Special Thank You to Donors in 2013: Richard & Lisa Sutton, Denny Macomber & Roy Maurer, Joyce Urbanovsky, John & Cathy McQuinn, Michael & Judith Berggren, Kendal Garrison & Errol Coleman, TJ Fontaine & Karie Decker, and David & Cindy Loope.
2013 ECCO Garden Tour hosts
Saturday June 1st, 2013
Mary Eisenhart – 1420 N 37th Street
Denny Macomber & Roy Maurer – 1444 N 37th Street
Mike & Judy Berggren – 1201 N 37th Street
TJ Fontaine & Karie Decker – 3701 Apple Street
Ray Gebhard – 1320 N 38th Street
Elizabeth Katt & Harry Bullerdiek – 1308 N 38th Street
Barbara DiBernard & Judy Gibson – 1045 N 41st Street
Mary Eisenhart – 1420 N 37th Street
Denny Macomber & Roy Maurer – 1444 N 37th Street
Mike & Judy Berggren – 1201 N 37th Street
TJ Fontaine & Karie Decker – 3701 Apple Street
Ray Gebhard – 1320 N 38th Street
Elizabeth Katt & Harry Bullerdiek – 1308 N 38th Street
Barbara DiBernard & Judy Gibson – 1045 N 41st Street