OK, so hopefully I got your attention last post with the litany of excuses “why not garden”. In this post let’s dissect each one and guide you to the resources you should consider to dive into gardening.
Time Constraints: Lets face it…our society encourages us to believe “bigger is better”…super size me, make my event the grandest in the region, my collection of toys the biggest! When did quantity trump content/quality? Want time to garden…consider the small garden room approach (read my post of August 2013) versus the Monet garden. Small is a good first step. Starting with a small patch/container that can feed your interest and provide visual enjoyment or garden to table joy. This also helps to eliminate the eventual “aha” that this is so large…I dont have the time to take care of it! The other option, if you have the resources, find a qualified gardener who can help you through the steps of good design and preparation to lessen your maintenance (at the beginning of your project…not months after the fact..restoration is timely grunt work and can be expensive) or maintain your garden on your behalf.
Lack of Knowledge/Information: Yes the age of technology is a beautiful thing….sometimes! As I have mentioned in previous posts…it is incredibly important to discern the organic from the marketing pitch. On the internet everyone is an expert..(I love that Allstate commercial with the French Model…think that visual next time you pull something up on gardening) You need to go to the right resources and reference for our region. Serious, educated locally experienced resources are right here in your region. Look no further than your local growers and qualified gardeners. The are very much a part of your community. Many of us donate time talents and resources for innumerable nonprofit institutions in the Capital Region as an expression of our passion for gardening. Your big box store employees are there to sell product and service…that is just a function of corporate retail.
Consider the garden coach, DIYER specialist in your region who can help you set up a design that is reflective of your planting site requirements and still meet your personal goals. This will assure your success and willingness to make gardening a valuable activity for life. Think of how hard it is to “relearn” a skill. So why not get started the right way and avoid the pitfalls and heartaches. It is equally important to find the source willing to start with the basics and speak to you with the respect due you at your level. Beware of the silver tongued plant identifier! You want that service provider to understand you and plan specific to your goals. Function is First!.
Space Constraints: As I mentioned last post, this is no longer a valid excuse. Space problems…not on your life. The simple application of container and vertical gardening methods allows folks to experiment with gardening. I have over the years introduced water gardening to folks with incredibly tight spaces simply by virtue of the container method. A balance ecosystem in a small container with the sounds of water, visual of plants and fish can be tucked into ANY space…and when done with the right information, resources and planning from the start….. a year long source of pride and enjoyment. I have had a water garden in my office for 3+ years now (helps me through the winter when my outdoor water features are closed). At various times in the season I switch up plants and decorate for the holidays. during the winter months i keep it rather lean as ..my cats use it as a source of enjoyment watching the fish and use as their personal water bowl. 🙂
So first step in debunking the “I can’t garden myth”…finding the right resources to get started. Next post we will examine some “methods” to match your needs and style.
