Gardener, freelance writer, direct and internet marketing consultant, creative entrepreneur and cat herder...my name is Jeanne Grunert, and in 2007 I did the incredible. I quit a secure, successful career as a marketing executive, packed up all my belongings, and moved with my family onto a 17 acre farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Today, I make my living as a writer and marketing consultant. I've worked hard to transform two acres of the 17 into fruit orchards, vegetable gardens and a flower garden. I love to garden and it is my way of meditating, relaxing, and unwinding after a long day.
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| Gardening in my backyard in Floral Park, early 1970s |
I didn't start out with a green thumb. Although I grew up surrounded by gardeners, I wasn't really interested in gardening until I worked at a major garden center on Long Island, New York for several years. Surrounded by gardening experts and beautiful plants all day, the yearning to grow a beautiful garden took root.
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| Today, weeding the flower beds at Seven Oaks |
My blog, Seven Oaks, was originally intended to share the journey from city slicker to country gal, from transforming acres of barren clay into a beautiful garden. Thanks to reader comments, however, I've focused more and more on writing "for people who kill plastic plants." It's my desire that everyone who wishes to grow something beautiful or delicious can do so without fear or great expense. Gardening is for all.
- Contact me if you'd like me to write for you blog, website, or company, or if you would like to request permission to reprint or repost any blog entries and articles.
- Visit my writing website for more information about my books, articles and writing services.
- Visit my marketing consulting site for information about my freelance marketing services.
About Seven Oaks
Seven Oaks is the name we gave to our little farm thanks to seven white oak acorns we carefully gathered from my husband's childhood home on Long Island, planted at the corner of our property, and have tended ever since. The land is heavily planted with loblolly pine, a timber crop for the paper industry. We have a creek meandering through the back of the property. We cleared about three acres of land, built a house, and planted 30 fruit trees in an orchard near the house. We also installed a fenced-in vegetable garden of raised beds filled with compost, peat and soil mixture. Along a steep slope next to the driveway that we didn't want to mow, I designed a perennial garden. We've since added smaller gardens along the foundation of the house and near the back patio.
We are zone 6B in some years and zone 7 in others, depending on the weather pattern. This area is considered the Piedmont region of Virginia. Summers are hot and prone to drought. Winters are very cold from December through February, with heavy snowfalls typical at least once a year.
The soil is heavy clay, with pockets of sand. The pH is very acidic thanks to the pines grown here for many years.
Affiliate Program Disclosure
I participate in several affiliate programs. This means that advertisements may appear on this or other blogs I run. If you click the ad, I make money from any product sales.
I participate in the following affiliate programs:
- Amazon.com
- Foodie Blogroll
- Google Adsense
- Meghan Telpner Nutritionist
- Karen Knowler Raw Food Coach
I accept paid advertisements on all my blogs. Paid advertisements appear in the margins. I may also write a paid blog post. When I do write a post for an advertiser, I clearly state that the company, person or product in question is a sponsored ad.
Disclaimer
We make no warranties, guarantees or claims of any kind related to the information in this or any other content published by Grunert Family Holdings Inc, Seven Oaks Consulting or Jeanne Grunert.. The contents reflect the author's opinions and personal experiences. Readers are advised to seek professional guidance for any medical, financial, legal or other matters. Please use common sense. Nothing published one this website or in any books, websites or other content by Grunert Family Holdings Inc., DBA Seven Oaks Consulting (author Jeanne Grunert) is intended to replace common sense, legal, medical or other professional advice, and is meant to inform and entertain the reader. Please consult a qualified professional for legal, accounting, medical or professional advice.
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