All Entries Tagged With: "Gardens of NoCo"
Think Pink: a FloTown landmark now for sale
You know you've seen it - the old pink farmhouse with a big ol' barn, just steps from North New Florissant Road. Here's the story on this unique local landmark...
In the early 1970s, Frank and Sandy Tricamo went looking for adventure. The parents of five children, they wanted to do something that involved the entire family, so they purchased a condemned house on New Florissant Road and proceeded to launch a major renovation.
Built around 1844 by Sidney Harris and later occupied by Joseph Stroer, one of Florissant’s early mayors, the home was originally just one room measuring 18 square feet. But over the years, it had grown to a seven-room, two-story structure, much of which was in very poor condition by the time the Tricamos got involved.
Frank and his sons replaced the rotting lumber, shored up the stone foundation and removed the old mud and straw insulation from behind the walls, but their plan was not to remodel. It was to restore the home’s historical integrity and capture a glimpse of life in early Florissant.
They used wood to heat the house and pumped water into large pots in the kitchen. They also installed a Charter Oak cast-iron stove, which runs on wood and natural gas, and has no temperature gauges. It took a while, but Sandy eventually learned to cook by sight, touch and instinct.
The Tricamos still love their rustic kitchen, adorned with numerous antiques.
Elsewhere in the house, Frank used materials salvaged from other buildings to complete the renovation – tin ceilings, wide-plank floors, colorful stained glass windows. At one point, he even installed an inground pool and laid huge stone slabs to create a tranquil patio space.
With most of the major work completed, the Tricamos continued to collect antique furniture and other items, sometimes hauling treasures home on their Harleys. Over time, that resulted in the incredible masterpiece you see today – a truly unique, artistic home that feels like a place lost in history.
Frank and Sandy have lived there nearly 40 years now, so it should come as no surprise that these brave pioneers are finally ready for a new adventure. They put their house on the market last week, and they’re hoping to find a new owner who loves it as much as they do.
Here’s a peek at their gorgeous yard and a pic of the house in its early days. Follow this link to see dozens of additional photos showing inside and out….
1089 North New Florissant is currently listed by Jane Quartuccio of Circa Properties for $286,500. It has 3 bedrooms & 2 baths in 2,050 square feet.
The Gardens of NoCo: Kuhs Estate & Farm
Among North County's historical river bluff estates, none is more enchanting than Kuhs Farm, which will be featured May 20 on the Spanish Lake Garden Tour.
Last year, I got a surprise phone call from an old colleague. She’s a talented photographer who works with a lot of big magazines, and she called to say that not only was she in North County (a rarity for her) but she was standing in “the most beautiful place in St. Louis.” Giddy with excitement, she talked about sunken gardens and a sprawling rock grotto with a magnificent river view, and I knew instantly where she had to be: Kuhs Farm in Spanish Lake.
This little slice of paradise is indeed one of the coolest places around, a natural wonderland with a touch of whimsy. And yes, it is right here in North County. NOCO contributor Jo Batzer has the full story on this fabulous hidden gem, including details on how YOU can visit…
Elizabeth Parker knows she is one fortunate lady. She has the privilege to live on 150 acres that have been in her family since the 1920s, in a house her great-grandfather built. She shares it with a menagerie of animals, big and small, with plenty of fresh air, great views and a commute that involves only walking out her front door.
But it’s not just the fact that her farm has family ties or a peaceful country setting that makes it a privilege to live there; the land has a history all its own. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, it was later used for supply storage for the Lewis and Clark expedition, then eventually provided a home for the the Fugate and Carrico Cemetery and the Wiese Dairy farm.
Elizabeth’s great grandfather, Edward L. Kuhs, purchased the Wiese Dairy farm on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River in 1925. As a surprise for his ailing wife, Rose, he built a rambling country home there, then over the course of seven years, constructed a sunken ‘Rockery Garden’ in a gully for her to enjoy. But Rose wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the unique grotto and surrounding gardens. She and Edward shared them openly and welcomed up to 10,000 visitors a year.
A 1939 St. Louis Globe Democrat article describes the sunken gardens as one of the “showpieces of the area.” Lighted waterfalls spilled over stone terraces into large lily pools, while hundreds of flowers and dozens of trees lined the rock terraces. Today, though the gardens are currently under restoration, many of the original plants are still there, including majestic oak specimens (Quercus spp.), cucumber magnolias (Magnolia acuminata), and peonies.
What made the gardens so unique in the 30s was not just the plants, terraces or river views, but the elaborate mercury lighting system that was set up to flood the sunken garden area, mimicking moonlight by using different colored filters. The gardens and the light system were featured in a Union Electric Magazine article in 1931. Elizabeth remembers that the effect was magical, and she’s very close to repairing the innovative system.
Under her guidance, Kuhs Farm is fast becoming a coveted wedding and event venue. With so many areas full of natural beauty, there are plenty of scenic spots to choose from. The upper loft area of the barn has a rustic yet enchanted atmosphere with massive wood beams, white curtains and tiny white lights. A mature oak in the middle of a natural amphitheater-like swale offers a simple yet majestic and elegant space. The gazebo or stone patio area overlooking the river offers a totally different feel.
One couple was so inspired by the area after their wedding at Kuhs, they ended up purchasing a neighboring property for their new home together!
These days, Elizabeth is actively trying to restore the sunken gardens along with the original greenhouse. Her two children, an army of friends and even strangers have volunteered time to help repair and restore the gardens, buildings and equipment since Elizabeth acquired the property. They have donated materials as well as personal time repairing tractors, tilling soil, feeding and caring for the animals, removing stumps…there is always something to do.
The outpouring of help is what is so inspiring to Elizabeth. She and all her volunteers are mesmerized by the magic of the land and the way of life it has shown all who visit or come to help. Elizabeth and her friends have coined the term ‘Accidental Farmers’ to help describe how the farm has inspired and changed their lives when they least expected it.
Her next big project is the new veggie garden, and Kuhs will be hosting a ‘Farm to Table’ dinner in September with food grown right on the farm. The 40 x 80 garden will not only have raised beds for food, but a plow area for demonstrations.
And let’s not forget: this is also working farm with chickens, ducks, geese, goats, horses and pigs. The historic 1800s dairy barn is the home of Crimson Sun Stables, which shelters rescued horses, including “Her Own Storm,” the great-great-granddaughter of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Elizabeth saved the horse from the slaughterhouse and rehabilitated it.
An animal lover who also has an enormous sense of stewardship for the land and its history, she takes great pride in the Spanish Lake community. And like her great-grandparents, Edward & Rose, she will be sharing her beautiful Kuhs Farm with the public by taking part in the Spanish Lake Garden Tour, May 20th.
It will be the first time in 30 years that the Kuhs estate has opened its doors. You do not want to miss this!!
The 2012 Spanish Lake Garden Tour & Plant Sale is scheduled for Sunday, May 20th, from 11am-4pm. TICKETS: $15/person day of tour at the Twillman House, 11840 Bellefontaine Road, $10 in advance at Miller’s Auto Service, 12300 Bellefontaine Road, or mail check payable to Spanish Lake Community Association at: SLCA, P.O. Box 372082, Spanish Lake, MO 63138
The Kuhs estate is one of nine residential gardens & three community gardens you can visit on the tour. The plant sale features plants from the gardens on the tour and annuals from the locally owned (for three generations) Windy Hill Farm and Greenhouses.
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Jo Batzer has worked in the horticulture and florist industries for over 25 years and is the garden leader at Twillman House Community Garden. She lives and gardens in the Spanish Lake area with her husband, two sons and two dogs, and is also available for private garden consultations through her company, JB Design.
In search of NoCo’s sustainable gardens…
North County gardens are needed for the Sustainable Backyard Tour on June 24.
If there’s one thing we have in North County, it’s an abundance of rich, fertile soil. We also have lots of farmers, gardeners, innovators and other green-minded folks, so I wasn’t surprised to learn today that somebody wants to show us off.
Last year, the first ever Sustainable Backyard Tour featured dozens of gardens in St. Louis City and County. For 2012, organizer Terry Winkelmann (who owns South City’s Home Eco general store) is hoping to include even more stops up north.
Pretty gardens are welcome, of course, but the real focus of this tour is sustainability, so featured properties should have elements like composting, organic gardening, edible landscaping, rainwater harvesting, renewable energy, permeable surfaces, bee hives and/or small-scale livestock.
More than 1,000 people went on the tour last year, looking for good ideas in sustainable gardening. This year, who knows? All I’m sure of is that this is a wonderful opportunity for North County to showcase one of its finest assets, and I will personally be welcoming visitors to my own yard.
If you’d like to sign up too, contact my friend Chris Jaurigui at (314) 974-6138 or cjaurigui@hotmail.com. He’s the North County node leader. You can also learn more about last year’s tour by jumping over here.
The 2nd annual Sustainable Backyard Tour, which is free and self-guided, will take place on Sunday, June 24, from 11am to 4pm.
The Gardens of NoCo: Barclay & Kelly Compton
Florissant resident Barclay Compton, owner of the landscape design firm Landworks, Inc., is an expert at designing & building unique water gardens.
The trees may be bare and the temperatures plummeting, but at the Florissant home of Barclay and Kelly Compton, water features create a delightful atmosphere even in the winter months. NOCO contributor Jo Batzer visited there in the fall and now takes us on a tour of this unique North County garden…
It’s a garden you hear before you see…the sound of water cascading over large rocks, water bubbling out of stones, water flowing and winding through boulders and under trees. Approaching the front of this home, you find yourself stepping over a flowing stream bridged by a large stone to reach the front door. Water is everywhere here, from the ponds and waterfalls all around the home to the Missouri River in the distance. This water garden paradise in northwest Florissant is home to Barclay and Kelly Compton, who run their landscape and water garden business, Landworks, Inc., from their home.
Growing up in NoCo, both Compton and Kelly wanted a large piece of property to run the business from. In 1997, they found 20 acres that overlooks the Missouri River and built the first water garden just outside the front door in 1999. The 3000 gallon front water feature uses an 8000 gallons per hour pump to keep things moving.
Around the side of the house and again crossing a stream, you reach a large patio with a seating area, bar and hot tub surrounding an impressive freestanding, stone fireplace. Cedar log piers support the hearth above the stream that flows underneath as it winds along the length of the patio, leading to the main water feature in back.
This amazing large 6000 gallon pond has two 10,000 gph pumps that allow water to cascade down the rocky bluff into a large pond full of koi and goldfish. Among the large boulders are spruce, and assorted native trees creating a perfect, natural backdrop. “Water art” here and there give an unique look. The Comptons like to add tropical plants including banana trees (Musa sp.) and elephant ears (Colocasia sp.) in the warm seasons. In the fall, the changing colors along the bluff highlight the bright colors of the koi and goldfish down below.
It would be hard for anyone’s inner child to miss the 60-foot slide coming down the side of the bluff and ending in the swimming pool. Another 100-foot slide takes you down from the pool area to the field below. The Compton kids, Kyle (10) and Courtney (8) are also lucky enough to have a creative playground built by dad just beyond the pool area. For the adults, a tiki bar and outdoor grilling and dining area offer all the comforts of inside, but with an unequaled view of the waterfalls and the river under the stars or sunny skies.
Despite having all the large water features, maintenance is only 15 minutes per pond per week according to Barclay. Water gardening like regular gardening, does have its own unique challenges and problems. Like many other metro area water gardeners are finding, minks are becoming a problem and can help themselves to fish as has happened with a few of the Compton’s unfortunate koi last year. Herons and egrets can also feast on fish if precautions aren’t taken.
Still, water gardening is a great way to enjoy nature and can be very low maintenance. For anyone considering a water feature, Barclay recommends visiting local pond stores for knowledgeable staff to answer questions (such as Chalily on Manchester, where Barclay installed the front landscape displays).
Another great resource in the area is the St. Louis Water Garden Society. The SLWGS host an amazing Pond-O-Rama pond tour every summer. The Comptons are regulars on the tour which can be very rewarding, but also stressful. According to Barclay, one year the front ponds were scheduled to be on the tour. A month before, they decided to add the backyard pond which wasn’t complete yet.
“Working day and night while still running the business during the day was a huge challenge for us. The last rock was placed at 10:00 pm the night before the tour and the pond finished filling up just hours before the tour started. Talk about cutting it too close!”
Running a business from home can be difficult at times, but it can also save time to have office and home all in one place according to the Comptons. (Even the entrance to the office has its own ‘Bubbler’ water feature just outside the door!) Living among all the creative inspiration at home has no doubt helped this family owned business create unique outdoor living spaces for clients for more than 20 years.
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Jo Batzer has lived in North County most of her life and is excited to be a part of the NOCO team. She has worked in the horticulture and florist industries for over 25 years and is the garden leader at Twillman House Community Garden. Jo lives and gardens in the Spanish Lake area with her husband, two sons and two dogs. She is also available for private garden consultations through her new company, JB Design.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K