My memories of gardening go back to my childhood days when I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s playing with my cousin’s. We all lived within walking distance of my grandmother and were there just about every day. Funny how the things that you experienced were never given another thought when you were a child, but are now cherished memories. I remember my grandmother always had flowers, and she could just pitch seeds over the porch rail and they seemed to grow. I remember “thrift” growing in mounds, and snap dragons that were just waiting for my cousins and I to “pop”. Dishes waited in the sink while she was out pulling weeds,and I have definitely developed that habit.
My dad was raised on a tobacco farm in Tennessee, and although he left the farm at an early age, he always had a garden in the backyard. Before he died several years ago in the month of August, he was gardening in July. I brought one of his grape vines from his home, and it is still in my backyard.
So you see, my love of gardening is only natural, almost inevitable. I’ve had 30 years of growing gardens, and can only remember a handful that I didn’t have one.
As I get older, I’m not interested in big gardens that take a long time, and a lot of trouble to take care of. My last few gardens have been raised beds, and I’ve learned techniques that can yield more than my family can eat.
As I look at retiring from 40 years of nursing, I have decided to pursue my love of gardening, and to help others grow their confidence and love of gardening. I offer workshops, consults, and coaching through my business Gardenchickcoaching and through this blog with my garden tips and projects.