Visit the Little Free Library this month to discover books devoted to gardening, birding, and other spring themes. In addition, April is National Poetry Month, so I’ll be adding several poetry books in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your support of our Little Free Library!

Looking forward,

Amy Lyles Wilson, hamblett2@mac.com

2023 SCHEDULE

Come join in the discussion on these great titles listed below. All are welcome. We hope to see you there.

The Abbottsford Mahjongg Group meets every Wednesday from 2-4pm in the clubhouse for fun games among residents. They are always welcoming new members to join the weekly event. If you would like to join or are interested in learning how to play, please contact Donna Kestner at 615-504-5555.

Thank you to the neighbors who attended Abbottsford’s open landscape forums.  We appreciate your input and value your suggestions. Conversations will be ongoing. For those of you unable to attend, we discussed the following topics:

1.  Drought and flash freeze damage.  Experts advise we wait and see what “leafs out” in the next couple of months before pruning or replacing plants.  Dead leaves don’t necessarily mean you have a dead plant.  We will likely need to prune more than usual, but many plants will recover.
2.  Landscape Designer/Landscape Architect consultation for changes to the main entrance of Abbottsford.  Abbottsford’s entrance is in decline, and consulting a landscape designer will ensure an attractive solution that meets Abbottsford’s needs and overall aesthetic.  Neighbors requested that the plans be shared with the community. Additional landscaping design input will be assessed and budgeted on other projects as well.
3.  Landscape Master Map: This map contains information about dead/dying tree locations, planting locations for the 25 free trees from Root Nashville, and descriptions of future projects/concerns Abbottsford hopes to address in the next several years.  Each tab contains a description if you would like additional details.  This map will change as projects are completed or as problems are addressed. Landscaping Committee Master Map – Google My Maps
4. Overgrown Shrubs:  After years of hedge-trimming, many of Abbottsford’s shrubs are overgrown.  In mid to late March, your boxwoods and Japanese Yews can be thinned.  Creating “sky holes” will allow sunlight and air to reach the center of your shrubs.  This promotes new leaf growth at the base and interior of your shrubs, so that they can be reduced in size within the next year or two, without looking completely bare.  Disinfect hand pruning tools between shrubs to reduce the spread of disease.  Nandinas are likely a casualty of the flash freeze.  If they survive, remove a third of the oldest canes at the base to promote a bushier overall appearance.  This prevents the “witches broom” look,  where all of the growth is in the upper third of the plant.  Nandinas may regrow from root sprouts, if you choose to cut them to the ground.
5. Sunrise Concerns:  Some neighbors are very happy with Sunrise and others are very unhappy.  We discussed some of the challenges with Sunrise (communication, service inequity, and overgrown shrubs).  The voices of all of Abbottsford’s neighbors matter.  We will continue working to find reasonable, equitable, and valuable solutions to your concerns.
6. Suggestions:  Neighbors requested more regular updates and advice on handling common landscaping challenges.  They also suggested a questionnaire go out to all neighbors enabling an honest assessment of homeowners experiences with Sunrise, so we can accurately judge the extent of contentment or concern throughout the neighborhood.
7. Landscape Reporting System:  Both Cody Carroll and Sunrise immediately get a copy of requests made through the landscape reporting system.  Sunrise has three weeks to follow up with you or address your concern.  Cody can follow up with Sunrise if they do not resolve the issue within those three weeks.  This reporting system ensures fairness to both Abbottsford neighbors and Sunrise. Landscaping Request Form – Abbottsford

Don’t let the warm weather fool you.  Abbottsford will still experience cold weather.  Spring arrives March 21st, but Nashville’s average last frost date is April 20th.  It’s safe to prune the dead leaves from your hellebores and trim your ornamental grasses now. 

Thank you!

Ashley Cantrell

Abbottsford Landscape Chair

210-827-3736

ashleycantrell3@gmail.com