As with all life activities, we need to find a comfortable personalized match. We all don’t go to fitness classes as a means to stay physically healthy or use the Marie Osmond diet! Likewise the method we choose to begin our gardening journey has to meet our personal requirements!
I am a big fan of author Lisa Scotoline’s Philadelphia Inquirer weekly column “Chick Wit” Last Fall I read with interest Lisa’s personal journey in gardening. A great read and very funny…it brought to light the need for all of us to select a “method” that fits. Lisa became overwhelmed with her journey selecting a plan that was far beyond her skill sets and scope of her ability to maintain. One size does not fit all in gardening. So don’t be bamboozled into something that is not you…remember that 80s permed hair look…ugh.what was I thinking?
HGTV makes DIYER style gardening look easy and flawless. But TV and reality are two every different things. You might want to consider using a garden coach to get your season off on the right foot. The garden coach can help you with the methods and practices specific to your property and particular style. Every team needs a great coach. Having a successful garden season requires plants that work and play well with others, and a good understanding of the home field! Your players can show their remarkable qualities given the right environment and guidance. You will be able to enjoy and engage with the team at your own desired level. Now that’s an enjoyable stress-free season. Pull out the beverage and enjoy on the sidelines!
Many folks also believe gardening is a cost prohibitive hobby or activity. Not so if you choose the right approach to begin with. In addition to starting small and securing reliable resources, you can treat yourself to out of the box style experiments with the popular art form “Upcycling” This is the art of redesigning and rethinking what you already own by giving it a higher purpose. I use old chairs, discarded block, old screen doors, and pallets to create some really funky container gardens and small focal gardens. So check your basement or garage and see what might allow you to start small, and upcycle.
To keep your costs down, consider a well planned selection of perennials in your new garden spot. These are plants that return every year and over time can be divided and transplanted to any number of areas on your property. You will be surprised how quickly you can fill in spaces with reliable perennials. Annuals are great as colorful fill ins…but can be pricey when used in mass. I have even begun using perennials in my containers so I can add a new element to my perennial beds when I break the containers down in the Fall.
Need more help? Join the Garden Goddess May 3rd @ Dehns Florist and Greenhouses Beekman St. Saratoga Springs for the NY Flower Power Garden Trail Tour. Workshops run @ 10:00am and 1:00pm and are free!
