Home grown

The Wootens may put hard work into their acreage, but they like to share the rewards with other gardening enthusiasts. Jim and Ilona are active in garden societies and often fulfill requests to tour their land.

People don't have to visit the acreage to see some of the beautiful flowers it produces, however. Jim maintains a cutting garden where Ilona picks flowers to use in floral arrangements for church luncheons and other events. She has taken some classes on arranging flowers and gets additional advice from club meetings.

Ilona likes to cook with produce they grow. She is known for her blueberry crisp, which she makes from blueberries picked directly from the garden. "Any time I have to provide something, that's always the requested dish," she says.

The acres of gardens also give the couple personal joy. Unexpected surprises are the best part of living among sprawling gardens, Ilona says. She sees something different each time she goes out to check on her wildflowers.

"It's always exciting to walk around and see what's blooming and what's new," she says.

As long as there is space that needs landscaping and gardens that need tending, the Wootens have no intention of slowing down. They own 6 acres, and Jim already has plans for the land he has not yet planted.

"I still have an acre and a half to go, and I'll keep going," he says.