Wendy Harper/MDN
A section of the garden in Michelle Schoenberg’s backyard in Minot displays a variety of plants among the rockwork.
After losing her home to the devastating 2011 flood, Michelle Schoenberg found healing in an unexpected place – the soil.
Schoenberg, a veterinarian at Pinkerton Animal Hospital, relocated in 2012 and began transforming her new property into a lush, peaceful garden retreat. Spread across nearly six acres of former pastureland, the property now blooms with a vibrant mix of annuals and perennials, complete with water features, tree swings and fruit-bearing plants.
“It was a blessing in disguise,” Schoenberg said of the flood that forced her to move. It took her a lot of work and many years to get to the point she is at now but it gave her the opportunity to create something she truly loves.
What began as open pasture is now a thriving oasis. The garden is filled with flowers of every color, many of which Schoenberg nurtures by hand-watering every other day. She also uses an underground sprinkler system to maintain the rich green lawn.
Her favorite flower is the hydrangea, known for changing color based on soil pH. Schoenberg adjusts the pH using aluminum sulfate to alter the shades — one of many ways she brings science into her gardening.
Much of the garden’s charm comes from repurposed materials. Rocks, wood and other elements were salvaged from her former home or donated by neighbors and family members. At the front of the garden, surrounded by blooms, an old water pump from her grandfather’s farm now serves as a decorative fountain.
One of her favorite features is a man-made waterfall that cascades down a hill in the backyard. Built in just a week with the help of her son, the waterfall is surrounded by seating areas perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
Her gardening journey has grown at her homes. She started with a small plot at her first house, expanded at the next and now tends a full-scale sanctuary.
In addition to flowers and ornamental plants, Schoenberg’s garden includes strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, tomato plants and fruit trees, creating a space that’s as productive as it is peaceful.
“Every space has something special,” she said. “It’s my place to wind down and relax.”
Wendy Harper/MDN
Michelle Schoenberg built this waterfall in her backyard.
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