Garden #4
Ferreri Garden - South Orchard Road
Joan and I first came to East Patchogue from Queens one month after I retired in August of 2000. We bought this property for two reasons, one- the house is not a typical Long Island style house and two-the property was almost a blank slate-grass-grass and more grass with 4 beautiful arborvitaes by the pool and a large stand of euonymus on the north side of the house; so we could have fun developing our own gardens.

My garden philosophy is ‘eclectic-organic’!. I do not use any pesticide, herbicide or any ‘cide’ at all; therefore my lawn is providing all the weeds that Long Island has to offer-each providing interest to an otherwise soldier like perfection. I cut high, water only when nature hasn’t provided about one inch of water a week and let nature and compost tea provide the food. I also enjoy cutting grass sculpture designs throughout the lawn to compliment the beds.

As a retired person my garden budget is limited therefore most of the plants were purchased from catalogues where selection is large but size is small; this has allowed me to experiment which fulfills the chemist side of my personality. The many friends I have made through the Cornell and Long Island Master Gardening Associations have helped with many plants and advice.

I enjoy starting from seeds so almost all of the annuals were grown in two little portable ‘hot houses’ which are placed on the south side of the house next to the brick garage wall for warmth during the cool part of spring. Hen I prune, I plant the cuttings in the ground near the mother plant and usually I am given the gift of a new plant. In the fall I harvest seeds from the annuals and seed producing perennials and enjoy seeing the new plants grow.


I love the plants that naturalize-so hollyhocks, black-eyed susan, columbine and forget-me-nots or just about anything that the winds provide is welcome in my garden.

I plant for the birds and butterflies so my garden is a patchwork of color and texture and my lawn is never more colorful than when the clover is in flower.

Last year I started to think of tree, so I planted a few native redbuds and this year I am planting an American Persimmon Meader. Oh-yes Joan and I hope to see our ‘Elizabeth ‘ magnolia-a cultivar crossed at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, they are creamy lime in color.

Compost, compost and more compost is what I find to be the best answer to feed the beds along with compost tea, to produce the great soil by providing texture and micronutrients,

Garden design is not what I am about, I garden because I love plants and all that ‘Nature’ provides. So enjoy walking around and I hope a butterfly lands on your shoulder!







NEXT Garden #5
Delahanty Garden - Bayview