Taking Time to Enjoy the Garden

As the size of my garden grew, the pressure to maintain it kept pace. More and more of my time was spent weeding and cultivating instead of playing and enjoying. As my garden became a burden instead of a pleasure, I made a decision; I own my garden, my garden didn’t own me. Some summers my garden has more weeds than plants, the grass encroaches on the beds, and the pond really needs a cleaning. But I decided to let go of my garden pride and give myself a break when life got busy. No longer does my garden have to be a wonderful example. It is mine and there for my pleasure. If anyone points out a weed to me, I assure them I would not be offended if they pulled it. I often wonder how someone in the midst of beauty, can only see weeds. This has been my greatest garden lesson of them all; what we see in life is what we choose to look at.

As I grow older and my life is changing, more of my garden is becoming low maintenance. There are lots of options that allow people to still participate in gardening while lowering the commitment. After all, no matter what kind of plant it is, wonderful things still happen when you combine water and dirt!

Go to "greenscapes" for a list of low maintenance plants.

"About.com" introduces Xeriscaping Plants: Drought-Resistant Plants.

"University of Minnesota" suggests sustainable woody plant maintenance.

"Landscape Alternatives" is a wonderful experience.

"GardenGuides.com" explains how mulch can reduce time spent in the garden.

"Mulching for a Healthy Landscape" is a worthwhile read.

Garden Ornaments

Gardens aren’t just for plants. There are numerous ornaments that gardeners place around the yard to add interest and a bit of fun into gardens. Reflection balls are fun for kids to stare into and make faces at themselves. Wind chimes tinkle in the breeze. Three garden gnomes have taken up residence by a tree in my backyard. The little door, attached to the tree, gives the impression that there is a hollow space there in which the gnomes live. The “good deal”, end of summer water fountain sends lovely gurgling sounds throughout the backyard. Bird feeders entice feathered folk to stay and sing. The statue by the pond holds a jug with spurting water to add to the chorus of sounds. Family members have made stepping stones containing their handprints and original designs to add memories and color into my garden space. In the evening the solar powered lights come to life. Butterflies flicker and lamps illuminate the beds. The fire pit that somehow doesn’t fit, gives hours of enjoyment. My garden has truly extended our living space.
Once the springtime garden frenzy has passed, most stores offer incredible deals on garden accessories. While out shopping, briefly walk through the garden section, but don’t be in a hurry to buy; the prices always come down. If you miss a good deal, there is always next year.
Click here or the picture for "Leaf Stepping Stones" link.
"eHow" has interesting ideas about using salvage metal in a garden.
"About.com" provides information on making stepping stones.
"About.com" also give advice on purchasing statuary.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

I have a plaque in my home that says, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” Whenever I find myself in a situation I’d rather not be in, I remind myself to “bloom where I am planted.” That plaque has encouraged me in numerous different situations to make the “best of it,” and often “the best of it” turns out to be pretty good. When that occurs, it is a wonderful, pleasant surprise.
This saying also applies to gardening. I frequently find immature plants out of place. The self-seeders love to spring up where I least expect them. Sometimes I weed these immature plants out, but more and more I am letting them “bloom where they are planted.” These plants, in the gardening world, are called “volunteers.” One of my favorite “volunteers” is Ox-Eye Daisies. My father-in-law planted a few in my garden years ago. At that tine I didn’t realize that once you have Ox-Eye Daisies you will have them forever. Every year the Ox-Eye Daisies surprise me as to where they will appear. I always think of my father-in-law; it’s as if he is just stopping by and seeing how I and my garden are doing. Sometimes I pull the daisies, but I often let them grow and bloom. Volunteers add a wonderful serendipity aspect to your garden.
So I would encourage you to not pull all your volunteers; let them bloom where they are planted. Volunteers add a unique touch to your garden and may bring back memories of people you love.

This "Gardening Community" article addresses vegetable volunteers.

"Roses from A to Z" provides pictures of volunteers to are nice to use in a bouquet.

"You reap what you sow?" is a fun read about how gardens take on the personality of the gardener.

"Dave's Garden" provides information to help determine if a volunteer is a friend or foe.

"University of Minnesota" has a great web page to help identify what is growing.

Kids and Gardens

My grandkids must have inherited my mud love because they enjoy garden experiences. In search of great plant deals, they like going to farmer’s markets, local greenhouses and yard sales. When they see a plant sitting on my steps, waiting to be planted, they run for the shovels and are ready to dig. The kids wander my garden paths, study blooms with wonder, and beg to give drinks to the flowers with the hose.
Including kids in gardening experiences also has its drawbacks, making it a joyous but frustrating experience. Plants get pulled instead of weeds, little feet step where they shouldn’t, lots of things end up in the pond, plants in bloom get completely deflowered and rock walls occasionally tumble down. Once my youngest granddaughter sat on a mound of Autumn Joy and proclaimed it to be a nice little stool.
To garden with kids a certain mindset needs to get nurtured. I know that damaged plants usually grow back. Sometimes the growing has to wait a season, but the plants have always returned. Kids and grandkids grow up and start to prefer friends to grandmas. So I tell myself, “I don’t just grow plants, my garden helps me grow relationships.” Letting go of the “perfect garden” and embracing the creation of memories has opened the way to numerous hours of time spent with my grandkids. I hope the kids will carry garden memories with them for their life.

“My First Garden” offers a teacher’s guide, the basics, planning and a gallery.
“Gardening with Children” focuses on the children creating a garden.
About.com gives advice, resources and garden projects for kids.
“Kiddie Gardens” gives advice on growing vegetables and creating a learning environment.
“Indoor Gardening Projects For Children” suggest some projects to garden over the winter months.

Planting Memories

My garden is filled with memories. I have Peonies and Bachelor Buttons that are descendents from my grandmother’s plants. I have Daisies, Violets and Mums from my father-in-law. The Bleeding Heart plants remind me of my mom. Every year I pull the blooms apart with my grandchildren and find the bunnies, slippers, fish hooks and little bottle of wine just as I did with my mom fifty years ago. The Cushion Spurge from my sister has produced numerous offspring which I in turn have given away. And every spring I proclaim, as my mom did, that the Apple Tree is snowing when the blossoms let loose and drift across the yard.
Try to choose a few plants for your garden that are meaningful to you. When I care for these plants, I think of the people who were so special to me. The garden helps to keep certain memories alive and enables me to pass these memories on to my kids and grandchildren. Also gardening with plants that have been around a long time, you are participating in preserving heirloom plants. Heirloom plants are plants that have descended from plants grown before 1950. Some grower claim heirlooms need to be older than 100 years. These plants are usually hardy and do well if grown in the same zone. Don’t be afraid to ask relatives and friends for plants. Tell them why you want them; they will probably be delighted to share.

"Grow an Antique! Heirloom Plants" explains about these unique plants.

"Keeping the Past Alive Through Plants" gives good information on heirlooms.

Go to this site for "Articles related to Heirloom Flowers"

"Tips for Heirloom Gardening" has good advice for beginners.

Garden Paths

Over the years my garden has become more than just a place to play in the mud. I ponder life in my garden and make important decisions while walking amongst my plants. My garden path is one of my favorite places to walk. Garden paths also provide access to your beds so you can work in your garden. Paths allow you to weed and transplant without having to step on other plants.
I have laid down pavers and planted low growing ground cover between the pavers. The cover helps to control weeds and in the spring this ground cover blooms with beautiful lavender flowers. I have seen paths made of pebbles, landscape timbers, grass, bricks and straw. I encourage all gardeners to create garden paths. Paths are pretty and practical.

To get a glimpse of how paths create a wonderful addition to any garden click here.

"Better Homes and Gardens" has lots of ideas and directions.

"Walkways" displays some beautiful paths and gives advice.

"Do It Yourself" has great advice on paths.

For creative ideas go to "Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas."

"The Perfect Garden Path" addresses curves and width.

Down and Dirty

My Uncle Bill would always say, “You are what you eat!” He was right. I will extend Uncle Bill’s train of thought to; “You are what you eat and what you surround yourself with.” If you eat junky foods and surround yourself in junk, you probably will not be very emotionally and physically healthy. The same is true for plants.
A plant’s health and growing ability is directly linked to what it is planted in. This brings up the topic of soil. Before you put the little lovelies in the ground, you need to make sure you are surrounding your plants with good soil. If your soil is too heavy, the plant roots may rot. If the soil is too light, your water bill will suffer. If the soil is of a poor quality, a plant cannot grow and mature. You see, plants really are a lot like people. So, take a little time and augment your soil.

Follow these tips for improving your soil "8 Strategies for Better Garden Soil."
For garden chemistry check out "Amending Your Garden Soil."
"Preparing Garden Soil" is a benificial read.
"How Stuff Works" tells how weeds can give you insight into your soil.
"About.com" also has a lot to say about soil.
"Doug Green" has great advice on all gardening topics.

Click photo to go to "Gardening Tips 101."