Gardening: Don’t Freak Out!
Today, the Twitter world is all aflutter about this article in the Boston Herald. To be fair, I almost had a heart attack while reading it. Then, I started tweeting in all caps. That is a sure sign of a mental breakdown. But, now all of my twitter friends are going to comment on the article with helpful gardening suggestions. That is super! There are so many great and FREE resources available to new gardeners, this blog being one of them! (Or, so I like to think.) In addition to free resources, there are fabulous, and inexpensive ebooks (*ahem* Our Organic Gardening Ebook!), books and magazines. No new gardener should feel like he or she is all alone in a confusing world of jargon.
Once you start gardening, you’ll find out that gardeners are the most helpful, generous and friendly bunch of people you could ever want to know. We always have extra seeds and plant starts, ideas, extra produce and advice (solicited or unsolicited) to share with each other, and the public. Gardening is, at once a solitary and a community endeavor. You might tend your own garden by yourself most of the time, and enjoy the peace and quiet, but once you plant a garden, you will meet all of your neighbors and your neighbor’s neighbors. You’ll be outside more, and have more chances to interact with people as they walk, ride or drive by. You might notice yourself starting to wave at everyone going by. Planting a garden will connect you with the earth, yourself and your community.
HELP! I need somebody. . .
Because most gardeners have a sense of community and generosity, if you’re a new gardener, find a current gardener in your area to ask for help, if you need it. Do a search for blogs in your area. There are lots of gardeners with their own, locally focused blogs. Leave a comment on the blog saying you have some questions. Gardeners always love to share their information with others! Visit this page, at the Sustainable Gardening Blog, by Susan Harris for “local” garden bloggers.
More Unsolicited Advice
I have to give some of my own advice! That’s what I do best! Here are more “quick tidbits” for hitting the ground running with gardening.
- Read the back of the seed packet before you plant the seeds. It really does have good information. (Usually.)
- Plant plants that like sun in the sun, and plants that like shade in the shade. If you aren’t sure where to plant, ask someone!
- You can’t go wrong by adding compost.
- If you’re going to put a bird bath in your yard to fill with plants, do the birds a favor and put a bird bath in your yard filled with water. (I saw a poor little birdie splashing around in one of my plant saucers this morning. Note to self. Get a bird bath.)
What are your best tips for newbie gardeners?
May 5th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Saw the invite to your blog on Twitter. I enjoyed your blog. One thing I might add, if you do have a birdbath, keep it clean and keep it full of water at all times. The birds will come to rely on it and you don’t want to let them down.