As a long-time gardener, I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear about your project! My two cents of advice: if you don’t already have some, buy two large container planters, fill one with herbs and the other with flowers. Containers are easier to manage, and on the days when the in-ground garden feels overwhelming or is full of weeds, you’ll always have two easy containers of joy (and they’re easier on the knees!).
As for the in-ground garden, I recommend Russian sage and coreopsis to everyone I know.
Every year I tell myself this will be the year I will vigilantly tend the garden til the very end and NOT let it all go to hell in August (let’s be honest, mid-July). But the nice thing is, so many things persevere through my total neglect. That weird squash I just let go to town in the middle of the jungle of cherry tomatoes gave us four butternut squash, so might as well embrace chaos.
Jun 10, 2023·edited Jun 10, 2023Liked by Lisa Renee
Oh this is so reassuring to read! I have been 'gardening' my plot for about 11 years now. It has brief moments of flourishing, followed by long periods of jungle-like neglect. Thanks for your refreshing honesty 😄
This was heartening for me to read, I've just begun to garden, very tentatively, for the first time ever in my life. I'm totally clueless and just going for it!
I too have a fritillaria that bloomed on its own this year, weird and wonderful. I don’t know the first thing about bulbs, but I plan to give it friends next spring.
I second the coreopsis and Russian sage and would also recommend simple herbs -- thyme, oregano, rosemary -- sprinkled along the paths or in a pot near the kitchen. No matter how the garden is going (the birds are gleefully ripping out my Russian sage by the beakful this year) it’s supremely satisfying to pluck an herb sprig for dinner.
My good friend is a mater gardener and got me to have a little courage about planting things. Her confidence rubbed off on me and I know NOTHING about it but it’s so fun to just throw seeds, plop plants, water and see what grows. It really gives you faith in the earth/sun/our time here to witness wild life. Of course, you have the stressor of having to do legit research re: black walnut. But I hope the surprises are many and the serpents are none
As a long-time gardener, I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear about your project! My two cents of advice: if you don’t already have some, buy two large container planters, fill one with herbs and the other with flowers. Containers are easier to manage, and on the days when the in-ground garden feels overwhelming or is full of weeds, you’ll always have two easy containers of joy (and they’re easier on the knees!).
As for the in-ground garden, I recommend Russian sage and coreopsis to everyone I know.
Happy planting!
Every year I tell myself this will be the year I will vigilantly tend the garden til the very end and NOT let it all go to hell in August (let’s be honest, mid-July). But the nice thing is, so many things persevere through my total neglect. That weird squash I just let go to town in the middle of the jungle of cherry tomatoes gave us four butternut squash, so might as well embrace chaos.
Thanks so much for the shout-out!
Oh this is so reassuring to read! I have been 'gardening' my plot for about 11 years now. It has brief moments of flourishing, followed by long periods of jungle-like neglect. Thanks for your refreshing honesty 😄
This was heartening for me to read, I've just begun to garden, very tentatively, for the first time ever in my life. I'm totally clueless and just going for it!
I too have a fritillaria that bloomed on its own this year, weird and wonderful. I don’t know the first thing about bulbs, but I plan to give it friends next spring.
I second the coreopsis and Russian sage and would also recommend simple herbs -- thyme, oregano, rosemary -- sprinkled along the paths or in a pot near the kitchen. No matter how the garden is going (the birds are gleefully ripping out my Russian sage by the beakful this year) it’s supremely satisfying to pluck an herb sprig for dinner.
I’ve just mowed my lawn and am ridiculously pleased with my little flowers and overgrown plants ... if this is midlife I’m all for it! 💪
I love gardening and listening to others' desires, trials, and successes. This is a wonderful place to belong.
My good friend is a mater gardener and got me to have a little courage about planting things. Her confidence rubbed off on me and I know NOTHING about it but it’s so fun to just throw seeds, plop plants, water and see what grows. It really gives you faith in the earth/sun/our time here to witness wild life. Of course, you have the stressor of having to do legit research re: black walnut. But I hope the surprises are many and the serpents are none