By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - History surrounds the property of John and Karen McNelis.
Located on 10-acres on Platt Street, the McNelis' have created a rustic escape, where flowers, antique decorations, tomato gardens and a mini-horse named Knee High make this beautiful garden complete.
When John and Karen finished their home, they began planting hostas, hostas and more hostas. “Then we started adding in different kinds of perennials - black eyed Susans, cone flowers, lilies - we have a wide variety,” Karen said.
The couple have one separate peonies garden, as John really enjoys the beauty of the flower. “When I lived in town, I had a peonies garden and just absolutely loved it.”
The two share duties taking care of the gardens, but John admitted that Karen is the designer. “She just envisions things and comes up with ideas as to what would look nice.”
Five years ago, the couple added a pond to the backyard, which is now home to goldfish. The pond is surrounded by different flowers and features a waterfall. It also sits in front of the shed, which used to be an old milk house from a centennial home. “We used the old lumber to build it. We added an older door and windows and John added the metal roof,” which gives the shed a very antique look.
And farming is another area the McNelis' seem to enjoy.
The two have spent years raising Jacob sheep, which are black and white and feature horns, both male and female.
Sitting right next to the field where Knee High was grazing is a garden filled with 20 different varieties of tomatoes with 60 plants. One added feature are the plastic grocery bags tied to the wires over the top of the garden. At a glimpse, they appear to be little flying ghost decorations.
Among the tomatoes planted are Heirloom tomatoes, which the couple described as “very delicious.” The two are very fond of different vegetables and often order seeds not found in this area.
The McNelis' property features a number of other flowers and even a big red barn, where a rooster can often be heard. “We really enjoy it here. Everything is so peaceful,” Karen added.
Which is why the McNelis' have the perfect country getaway.