When we built our home 27 years ago in Hockinson, our 5 acres were covered in blackberries, thistles and daisies. The daisies were cute, but the rest had to go. We didn't have a landscape plan; instead we bought the plants that appealed to us and found a place for them once we carted them home. In other words, this is definitely not a formal garden and the overall character of the garden can change from year to year. We have cultivated about half of our 5 acres with fenced fruit tree orchards, several vegetable gardens, and an area for berries, grapes and a cutting garden. The orchards include close to 100 heirloom apples, a few pears, peaches, plums and quince. The remaining areas become deer grazing grounds so the trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals are mostly of deer-proof varieties. If it is not deer proof, it is either coated in Liquid Fence or nibbled to near death. We have a large collection of Japanese maples, rhododendrons, lilacs, clematis and hostas. Deer-food plants, such as roses, are tucked into the fenced orchard areas. It is always a guessing game as to what the deer will like, but we enjoy their gentle presence and since they were here first, we try to be forgiving, even when they chow down on that exotic and very expensive plant that was just put in the ground yesterday. Since the Nakia Creek fire, which caused our evacuation, we have been busy with modifications to make our landscape more fire resistant. The result is the removal of several large trees that were very close to the house and thus new planting opportunities, which are still in progress! Sprinkled around the garden are welded metal and fused glass art projects designed and manufactured by Karen. Developing our garden has been a gradual labor of love and we would enjoy sharing it with you.