Your Williamson | April 2023 Volume XI - Issue 119

Justin Stelter: Rooted in Williamson County

Interview By Amelia Rose Smith 

 Justin Stelter’s career began at the desk of his high school trigonometry class in 1995. There, Justin drafted a business plan for his notable landscaping company, JS Gardening, LLC. Justin’s eye for design and years of experience in residential, commercial and historic landscape design and installation earned him the role of Director of Gardens and Grounds for The Battle of Franklin Trust in 2003. Today, he continues to bring elegant vegetation to Franklin’s historic grounds and our community. Enjoy this peek into Justin’s life in Williamson County! 

YW: What brought you to Williamson County?

Justin: I moved from the bucolic agricultural town of Eagleville, Tennessee, to the steeped-in-history, forward-moving city of Franklin in 1999. The goal was to be closer to my customers and surround myself with opportunities to build a better life and to be connected. The gracious and embracing people of Williamson County, many of whom I now consider close friends or extended family, make this community feel like home to me.

 

YW: What led you to choose your profession? 

Justin: I am a landscape gardener. Initially, I took this path to pay my way through college and work with nature. Now, I continue this path because of the chance to harvest and the beauty in witnessing the development of all the seeds planted along the way.

 

YW: Three words that best describe you. 

Justin: I hope to be passionate, yearning and faith-driven. My middle child Annabelle suggests that I am funny, strict and hard-working, while my wife, Olivia, describes me as driven, direct and generous.

 

YW:  Where is your favorite place to be in WC? 

Justin: For nearly two decades, my favorite place to visit in Williamson County was the garden at Carnton. The garden has revealed to me over the nearly two decades of caretaking and observation not only how much I have changed and developed – just like the garden itself – but also shed light on the fruitful rewards that proper amendments, nurturing and cultivation can develop even as adversity and challenges are overcome.

 

As I have matured, I find more and more that my favorite place has transitioned to the high ground north of the garden, that final resting place filled with rows and rows of limestone markers of those that have gone on before us. The McGavock Family Cemetery, the adjoining enslaved cemetery, and the Confederate Cemetery, might be the only place in the world where three cemeteries unite into one physical embodiment of perhaps the best example of how we should be united in life. Simply remembering those that made the sacrifice and reflecting on their struggles and imperfections while basking under the light, is important to me now. 

 

YW: What is the one thing you do not go a day without? 

Justin: Smiling and looking up.

Winter Freeze Plant Update #3

Dear Customers and Friends, 

Previous Updates: 

Unprecedented weather causing plant stress (Sent 1/4/23)

Update: Unprecedented weather causing plant stress (Sent 4/5/23)

Winter Freeze Plant Update #2 (Specifically for Laurels) (Sent 4/20/23)

WINTER FREEZE PLANT UPDATE #3 (SPECIFICALLY FOR BOXWOODS)

We have been monitoring the condition of Boxwoods all spring. After removing deadwood from several hundred boxwoods, overall, we have observed fairly even and consistent new growth━ which is a positive sign. For healthy boxwoods we have been applying an annual systemic drench (a preventative fungicide, insecticide and miticide), making sure branches and leaves are not touching the ground (reduces chance of boxwood blight), removing dead wood (improves overall health), and watering (speeds up recovery). For those that don't look so healthy, here are three current options:

  1. Continue to wait so both the plant can heal and reveal any more damage.

  2. Actively cut boxwoods back to live wood. Boxwoods grow slow so filling in could take several years.

  3. If more than approximately 40% of your boxwood is damaged, replacement should be considered.

My best advice is still to wait, but for those properties with upcoming events, in high profile locations, or owners and caretakers that simply must take action now, we can begin cutting back or removing and replacing. 

Sources: Missouri Botanical Garden, Monrovia, Saunders Brothers

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

JS Gardening Team 

WINTER FREEZE PLANT UPDATE #2 (SPECIFICALLY FOR LAURELS)

Dear Customer, 

WINTER FREEZE PLANT UPDATE #2 (SPECIFICALLY FOR LAURELS)

Good news! Since April 4th we have noticed some growth at the base of Laurels, specifically 'Schip Laurels'. This means while above ground the branches, stems, and leaves may be dead, the rootstock is alive. And, just this week on Monday, April 17th, we noticed some internal bud breaks on 'Otto Luyken' Laurels. With this updated information, here are three current options: 

  1. Continue to patiently wait.

  2. Cut Laurels back to live wood and patiently wait for new growth. 

  3. Remove and replace your Laurels  —   the potential problem will be recommending a good replacement and availability.

My best advice is still to wait, but for those properties with upcoming events, in high profile locations, or owners and caretakers that simply must take action now, we can begin cutting back or removing and replacing. If you have a preference, please email justinstelter@gmail.com noting option 1, 2, or 3, or we will continue to monitor and update and take the appropriate action when the time is right. 

Thank you for trusting JS Gardening with your landscape and gardening needs. We will send updates on other plants as we have them. 

Sincerely, 

JS Gardening Team