Karbula garden living legacy to family ties

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

If there is a gene for green thumbs, John Karbula of Fort Collins definitely inherited it. He grew up around gardeners, and a statue of St. Francis in his yard is a fond reminder of one of those, his great-aunt Katie.

Karbula's backyard and garden will be on display June 18 during the Junior League's 23rd Annual Terrace and Garden Tour. The self-guided tour runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes seven gardens in the older part of Fort Collins. The tour has become a favorite for seasoned gardeners, novices and those simply looking for a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Other gardens on this year's tour include a sculpture garden and a beer garden. The Junior League's famous rhubarb punch will be available at one of the gardens. Throughout the tour, people can gather gardening secrets and advice from homeowners and nursery experts.

Karbula's Victorian-style home sits on a long lot, packed with color, interesting detail and history. Located on Grandview Avenue, the property once held a nursery and greenhouses that produced flowers for the nearby cemetery.

Roses are a mainstay in this cottage garden, and Karbula's collection often gets a new addition on Father's Day. Other plants are attached to family stories. For instance, the maple tree arrived in a coffee can from Iowa, and the mountain ash was planted when daughter Caitlin was 4 years old and the same height as the tree.

Karbula's wife, Julie, provides artistic touches to the garden, including hand-painted signs for each space.

An interesting aspect of the Karbula garden is a cozy, outdoor living room, which the gardener created in his mind in 1993 and then duplicated in his yard. It took quite a bit longer to build than standard construction, since the hedge wall had to grow for several seasons. Now, the room is a great place for evening relaxing, complete with its own bench and fireplace.

For the Karbulas, the garden provides a space for friends and family to gather and relax. It is also a place to connect with nature and get away from the hectic daily schedule. "I'm on God's time in the garden," Karbula said.

Karbula will be leaving his Fort Collins home and garden soon, as he begins a new job as superintendent of Windsor School District. He and his wife are building a new home there, and one can bet it won't be long before that location blooms with the influence of Karbula's green thumb.

Terrace and Garden Tour tickets are $15 and may be purchased at several local nurseries. Proceeds from the event will benefit ABLEWomen, the Lincoln Center Super Series and Crossroads Safehouse.

For information, visit the web site at www.jlweb.org/fortcollins.