It's More Than Just A Green Thumb

Gardening has been a favorite hobby of mine for many years.  I started my very first garden in Georgia about 12 years ago.  I prepped, made sure I had all the tools I thought I needed.  Essentials included a garden shovel, rake, gloves and glasses.  Don't ask, but for some reason I thought it would be cool and safe to garden while wearing some form of protective eye gear.  The exploring with gardening began and it would never stop.  I have always loved color, if the plant bloomed once and that was it or if the color was slightly off or not bright enough then it would definitely not make the return to my garden the following year.  Exploring is fun, my version just happens to be playing in the dirt.

​Over the years I have tried what seemed to be every type of blooming flower there is.  The one that has been a repeat purchase for me is the double knock out rose.  It's amazingly beautiful and produces double the amount of blooms, hence the name of this gorgeous flower.  To the surprise of many, it is quite easy to maintain and heat-resistant which simply means the plant will survive in the heat and sunshine.  

At the time you purchase any plant, you should see a helpful note giving you the deets on what your plant will need to survive.  For starters, water always helps and the note will let you know if the plant you chose thrives in full sun or part-sun and shade.  Can't get any easier than that!  So don't be afraid to play around in the dirt and get your hands a little dirty.  Take a look at my post 'Gardening Made Easy' for more tips on getting started for the very first time.  No time like the present for a shameless plug on my own page.  Moving right along...
 
While the rose will forever be the first flower that captured my love for gardening there are so many others that show me just how magnificent and splendid their blooms are.  Introducing the sunflower.  In no way shape or form should this beauty be overlooked but I did for many years.  Shame on me.  What changed?  Well my sweet sister sent me sunflower seeds and I literally emptied the entire pack into my planter and the surprise waiting for me was one that made me fall in love.  The blooms are so vivid that the picture almost looks edited and highlighted.  No need, the flower shows out all on its own.  The great thing about the sunflower is that the center will have seeds inside that you can plant the following year.  How cool is that?!  I found this very helpful video on harvesting seeds from a sunflower to plant for the following year.   Simple and easy!

​​The idea of gardening for most seems like a rather arduous task, so even though the desire is there, many just say never mind.  The more you do something, the better you get.  With gardening, this is very true.  So you plant a few things and the outcome is totally opposite from what you expected.  The great thing about dirt is, it's in the ground and it's absolutely free!  If you have the space you can dig to your arms give out and become as weak as noodles or if you like to grow in planters you can invest in a couple of bags of great potting soil and start there.  

The moment I realized it's more than just a green thumb is when I truly got into the zen that is having a garden.  The time spent watering, pruning and watching my plants grow has become a relaxing zone and stress free space.  I claim my green thumb and I wear it proudly, but this doesn't mean my flowers are always prize winners and I'm taking home a ribbon for yard of the year.  If my plants grow I am more than happy, and if not I'll just try it again next year and blame the dying plants on Mother Nature.  I love decorating outdoors with a few items that make me smile.  A garden statue here and there or nice lights to enhance the area at night.  Make your garden area multi-functional.  Enjoy it in the day and night.    

A few pictures below of my garden this year.  Have fun with it, and literally take time to smell the roses.  And everything else 😉. 

~AJ