One of my favorite things (after my family of Cockers and Kitties) is to work outside in my
garden.  Granted, most of the hard work does get done by Terry but since we both enjoy it
what better way to spend our free time?

When we bought our home here in Kansas one of the reasons we loved it without even
seeing it in person (yes we bought it sight unseen on the internet!) was how close to
nature it was.  We are literally in the woods next to nearly no where.  We do have neighbors
that we can see and yet once the trees grow their leaves seeing them isn't really a
problem.

Our first discovery about the beauty here as far as a garden goes was the Irises that flank
the original lot (we have since added several adjacent lots) that the house sits on.  We
have one more lot we'd like to add and then we will be "touching" neighbors who have
permanent homes.  We also have an established Peach tree and two Crepe Myrtle trees.  
There are of course, Oaks, Cedars, Pines, Ash, Walnut and many other trees too.

We had to tend the Trees that were here and go thru and make sure that the diseased
ones were removed.  I hated cutting any of them down and made Terry promise we'd
replace with a new tree any that had to be cut down.  Unfortunately there were several
damaged and infested older trees, carpenter ants, ice storms, struck by lightning, nature
is not always so nice to itself.  We made the decision to join the Arbor Day Foundation and
each spring we purchase baby trees from them.  

In 2007 we became certified as a Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.  We
provide the basic needs of wildlife such as food, water and shelter in a natural way.
In 2008 we added 10 baby trees.  2 Japanese Maple, 2 Goldenrods, 2 Flowering Cherries,
2 Washington Hawthornes and another dozen cedar saplings.
Our overall plan is to have a Rain Water Fed Only Garden and Lawn.  It is a somewhat
slow process to achieve but worth it to the environment, Earth and future generations.
Kat's Garden & Terry's Labor of Love
Click on the above Iris to view
several more pictures of the
Iris Garden Beds.
Click on the above rose to view
several more pictures of the
Rose Garden we have started.
Kattery Kennels, Our Home
We have lots of other projects and plans going on with our garden and "yard" and one day
hope to have them all finished and just be able to enjoy them.   

We are working on an extensive rose garden inspired by a good friend of our family.

We also have several hydrangea bushes that we hope will blossom this year.  *They did
bloom this 2nd year!*  My mother always had hydrangeas whenever we had a home with a
garden area and my grandmother's house warming gift to us was my first hydrangea bush.

When we lived in Arizona we had a small yard pond and one of our goals is to have one
here.  We have not yet been able to decide where and what kind, Terry would like to have a
Koi pond and I am partial to a "running brook".  We have plenty of room and ya never know
we might wind up doing both!

I am also trying my hand with several perennials such as  Gladiolas, Freesia, Begonias
and many others.

I will try to share more photos and such soon.  For now we just can't help but relax and
enjoy them ourselves.
We enjoy showing our
Patriotism by hanging the
American Flag in our yard.
This is one of the planting
boxes we built into our front
walk.  (not yet finished)
There are gladiola planted here
as well as some petunias.
We get wild mushrooms in this
area as well.  Click to make it
large enough to see but these
are growing right between 2
trees that were cut down.
We have a few "yard"
decorations such as the windmill
and this kitty shaped bird feeder.
I will be adding to this page as I find time.  Breeding American Cocker Spaniels
is full time work/fun for me and I do spend most of my time with them each and
every day.  Often the Cocker Puppies are romping along side us as we work on
different garden/yard projects.

Kat Reck 6/3/08

4/2011 we have purchased a
small 'white' greenhouse to
start our veggie garden seeds.
This website contains our photos and info about our Breeding Program and some other related information.  We
invite you to check out our website to learn more about us and the cocker spaniels here.  Please use the links on
the left or upper portion of each page to navigate this website.  For those on slower speed connections we have
a plain text Directory Page for your convenience.
Kattery Kennels is owned and operated by Kat & Terry Reck and is not affiliated with any other identity.  The
graphics and material found within is the sole property of Kattery Kennels and is watermarked and copyrighted
to Kat.  Requests for further information should be directed to Info@KatteryKennels.com
Please view our Conditions of Use Page.
This is one of the Red Japanese
Maple Baby Trees we have put
in (2008).
We have tried corn in
our vegetable garden
each year.  So far it
hasn't done that well
and we think it will
need to be watered
by hand.
This is one of the outdoor lamps
we have placed in our front yard.
We have had quite a bit of
success with our Marigolds.  For
several years in a row now
we've been able to harvest next
year's seeds from this year's
plants.  We like the wild look they
give by the front walk.
Garden Calendar updated MOST frequently.