Upon entering the beautiful garden of Barb and Paul Ludwig, of Anthon, one is overcome with sensory overload. Barb said, “We wanted to create a sanctuary away from the busyness of the elevator.”
A place of serenity.
In 2019, when Barb and Paul moved into the home (where Barb grew up) with her mother, Vera Baldwin, they decided to remove what was salvageable from their mobile home and create a garden in that area. Barb is the bookkeeper for Baldwins Elevator, and Paul is a retired electronic technician.
On that day, 3 of the 5 senses were present and pleasing. The first impression was the abundance of sounds. The water was running in the creek nearby, and countless birds were enjoying every moment of being near the garden. The bamboo windchimes near the entrance were entrancing, and the wind in the trees wasn’t overwhelming on this day, for a change. A butterfly bell was trying to make some sounds.
The entrance consisted of a large honeysuckle vine and a weigelia bush which always smell wonderful. Just being outside in the country on a spring day refreshes one’s senses. Even though nothing was available to taste, that will be coming soon, as many vegetables (green beans & peas) were sprouting already.
Sight was the prominent sense as Barb and Paul and their family have created this beautiful area of color and nature. Everything that is part of the sanctuary was made from something that could be repurposed, rebuilt, repainted, or reused.
The cement base of the home is used as an outside boundary. Old well pipe used for poles hold some of the lighting. Paul said, “It is quite stunning at night with all the lights.”
Before the house was on the site, a hog barn was attached to the nearby shed. They used old hog and cattle panels for the raised beds. Old barn shingles protect the tomato plants from the wind. Mineral tubs hold chives and pepper plants. Paul combined farm implement rotary hoes and rake tooths to build flowers that line up against the machine shed.
Barb credits her friend Trudie Volkert for giving her ideas. Their two oldest sons went to school and graduated together in 2009. Barb and Trudie have stayed friends ever since and enjoy shopping at thrift stores and garden centers together.
Because Paul is retired and quite the handyman for all their “wild” ideas, he built their last big project. A compilation of different colored empty wine bottles lined up on fiberglass rebar make a gorgeous backdrop for a bench that was picked up at a yard sale. It is stunning.
Peonies, flags, and rocks (lots!) as well as a table and chairs, a flagpole, an old-looking bike, and a rain barrel complete the area. And a very colorful Garden Shed that they use for work, storage and rest occupies the area next to the garden. Barb had seen an old shed and asked about it and was told if she moved it out, she could have it. Her nephews (the Baldwin boys) helped her move it. After rebuilding the bottom, they painted it with bright colors. They used the original house entrance for the shed, doors (painted pink) and windows from the old house and because the house was near there, they had water and electrical access.
Family is important to Barb, so she created stones with letters of some of Vera’s great-grandchildren who live nearby. The great-grandchildren also visit and love to help with the garden. Kollins loves picking green beans.
Another area to the west under the tree canopy is a garden area that was created before Barb’s father Wes Baldwin died. A plethora of ferns, hostas, jack-in-the-pulpit, moss, wild and hybrid raspberries, and vincas encompass the area that create a quiet serenity under the trees. A firepit is nearby, as well as an area by the old well where they planted a lilac bush, Indian corn, apple trees, and pumpkins.
After being diagnosed in 2018 with Essential Tremors, Barb had brain surgery in December 2023 and had a device implanted in her chest that connects to her phone to help control her tremors. She said, “It took me a year to heal, but I’m doing great now.”
Barb said, “We have some of the best neighbors.” Nephew Brett rents the pasture nearby and they enjoy seeing the cows and calves out grazing. They also share their sanctuary with their human neighbors. They’ve held two block parties, during spring and fall time, and nearly 60 people attended.
Their children are Jared, who lives in Des Moines, and Nate, who is married to Becca, a nurse practitioner, and they live in Anthon. Paul and Barb were very excited to announce that Nate and Becca are expecting a baby very soon. Nate has been very helpful with the more labor-intensive projects, and they both love spending time in the garden.
Barb said, “We end our days here in our garden.” Pretty soon they will be sharing their sanctuary with Lainey Grace. Won’t she love experiencing all the senses with her family, too?