Serenity in the Garden

Check out  'Ideas for a Fall Garden'  on gardendesign.com. I share some ideas I have used in my landscape projects.  Please click on the article name above for some great end-of-the-gardening-year ideas for your garden. from gardendesign.com The Garden Design website  is a virtual compendium of ideas for your landscape.

Otisville Correctional Facility - where I taught but it was not this nice looking back then In the 1970s, I was a part of a team that taught a one year intensive certificate program on Landscape Development and Maintenance at a community college near New Paltz, NY. I was a young instructor but was very earnest and devoted to teaching. Then one day the president of the college called me in and told me that I, alone, would be teaching all my courses at a men's correctional facility 44 miles away.  What??!! all my classes? away from the campus? in a prison? After much protesting, I was sent 'away' to teach the entire program at a men's prison. Well, as often happens, it was one of the best experiences in my life. I taught full time there for 2 years and still cherish the memories. Otisville Correctional Facility classroom  - but not my specific class I have a lot of fun stories. We installed walks, plant beds and even a solar greenhouse (it was donate...

Garden Design Magazine interviewed me for tips for blending ancient and modern ways to create gardens that simply make you feel good.   They also had the fabulous illustrator from Spain, David Despau, illustrate photos of some of my landscapes.  I am honored.  It is in the summer issue of Garden Design: It is such a great magazine.  You can use this link to subscribe to garden Design and get your first issue free www/ gardendesign.com/ janjohnsen You can also order just this one issue here https://subscribe. gardendesign.com/store/#

Heaven is a Garden by Jan Johnsen  I was just interviewed for a great article about creating Serene Outdoor Spaces. It is a lovely summary of the three elements of a calming and joyful garden: Go here for the article. 

Relax and Breathe deeply Would you like to make your garden a place for Yoga Practice? Check out this article on Making a Yoga Garden -   Click Here.  we all love rounded forms - they relax us.

Kousa Dogwood in Fall - Jan Johnsen Check out  'Ideas for a Fall Garden'  on gardendesign.com. Please click on the article name above for some great end-of-the-gardening-year ideas for your garden. Their website accompanies the new magazine that I really like, Garden Design . Click on it to see more. from gardendesign.com

This is a great landscape design magazine! Click to read it. My article on Designing with the Four Directions is on page 30.

The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) has officially made its magazine available to everyone. For years, it was only open to the eyes of members but no more.... 'The Designer' is a magazine that is full of fascinating advice, tips and examples for everyone who likes landscape design. I am proud to say I have an article on designing with the four cardinal directions on page 28 of this digital publication. Check it out!

Yoga outdoors - the best   I was asked to write a short article about creating a Yoga garden . Here is the link to that article: (click on it):   How to Create a Yoga Garden  As I shared my thoughts I realized that outdoor spaces for yoga practice are very special spaces - like an outdoor sanctuary. If you set about to choose a space in a property consider these factors:  Old trees can add solemnity and stateliness.  Dry places to sit are imperative.  Dappled shade for afternoon practice; a sunny spot for early morning yoga. White flowers are a big plus...why? white is the perfect color for elevating the atmosphere. snow cone shrub rose - Jackson and Perkins Large stones or stone statues 'ground' the scene, add stability and peace. Water scintillates. Quiet flowing water of any sort adds sparkle and dynamic movement.  For much more go to the article:    How to Create a Yoga Garden   I hope i...

The power of a simple garden gate. It creates mystery, offers an invitation and sets a mood. If it faces East, so much the better...For more photos and ideas click here:   The Power of a Garden Portal on Garden Design.com  

This interview with me is from a wonderful blog called Open Voices which is part of the  Nature Sacred  website. I am honored that this fine group chose to spotlight my new book. I urge you to check them out - always something inspiring in their blog! A Deeper Place of Being: An Interview with Jan Johnsen Posted on 03/06/14 Jan Johnsen’s forty years of practice in landscape architecture has taught her that gardens not only inspire and delight but also impart a sense of well-being, offer respite, and induce feelings of renewal to those who visit and simply sit awhile.  Drawing on historical precedents from many cultures as well as design techniques honed through recent practice, her gardens are deeply nuanced, no matter the size.    In anticipation of the upcoming release of her latest book,  Heaven Is a Garden – Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection , published by St. Lynn’s Press, Open Voices spoke with the noted l...

Open Voices Blog News and conversations about the growing evidence of the healing power of nature and green development in cities I am honored that the  Open Voices blog  of the TKF foundation chose to interview me about my upcoming book. What a great piece they wrote!  I believe wholeheartedly in this wonderful organization and I urge everyone to go check them out.  CHECK HERE FOR THEIR INTERVIEW WITH ME . Tom and Kitty Stoner began the TKF foundation in 1996 with the belief that  everyone needs to “be in nature” as nature both heals and unifies us.    To that end, their  private nonprofit organization funds publicly accessible urban green space.  Today, their goal of creating 'open, sacred places in nature', designed to provide an opportunity for a deeper human experience, has attracted a host of supporters: environmentalists, health care professionals, landscape designers, universities, corporate CEOs, loc...

I just wrote an article about the amazing Steinhardt Garden for the great Garden Design newsletter ... I took the photos a few weeks ago on a clear, November morning..Please click on this to see the article : http://www.gardendesign.com/visit/the-steinhardt-garden-a-must-visit-landscape Here are some other photos I took of Steinhardt (besides the ones I included in the article) : Steinhardt Garden photo by Jan Johnsen Steinhardt Garden photo by Jan Johnsen Steinhardt Garden photo by Jan Johnsen This last photo is in the article and I describe what it is....