A Challenge to Return to The Basics
As we welcome another gardening season, I’m excited to share a special journey with you, one that’s a little different from the usual plant-buying spree at the garden center.
This year, I’m embracing a challenge that’s close to my heart: getting back to the basics of gardening. It’s a journey not just about simplifying, but about rediscovering the profound joy and satisfaction that comes from working closely with nature.
I find myself reflecting on what it means to truly engage with the craft of gardening. In a world that often values the new over the nurtured, there’s a profound beauty in stepping back, slowing down, and connecting with the fundamentals of nature.
This year, I’m embarking on a personal journey to do just that—to strip back the layers of consumerism and rediscover the core of gardening, where the value lies not in the quantity of plants we own, but in the depth of our relationship with each one. It’s a path less taken in today’s fast-paced world, but one that promises a richer, more fulfilling connection with the earth and our gardens.
This journey isn’t just about gardening in a physical sense, but also about growing alongside our plants, learning from the rhythms of nature, and finding contentment in the simple act of nurturing life from soil.
It’s a reminder that gardening is not just a hobby, but a way of living that encourages patience, attentiveness, and a deep-seated respect for the natural world.
As we journey together through this season, I invite you to pause, breathe, and take a moment to appreciate the wonders of gardening in its most elemental form.
Let’s embrace the joy of seeds sprouting, the challenge of cultivating new life, and the endless possibilities that lie in a handful of soil. Welcome to a season of growth, not just in our gardens, but in ourselves as well.
Back to Basics: A Path Less Traveled
This season, let’s make a pact to dive into the heart of gardening, stepping away from the endless cycle of buying new plants. Instead, I’m cultivating my existing garden, focusing on growing plants from seed, propagating from cuttings, and dividing what I already have to multiply my garden’s beauty.
It’s about returning to the roots of true gardening, where every plant we nurture is a testament to our dedication and love for the green world.
Embrace the Joy of Growing
Imagine the thrill of watching a seed you planted with your own hands sprout into life, growing into a mature, flourishing plant. This magical process never gets old and reminds us of the wonders of nature that we can foster right in our backyards.
This year, I rediscovered this joy while creating a pollinator garden, transforming a patch of lawn into a haven for bees, butterflies, and flowers—all from seeds. The experience was a powerful reminder of the simple pleasures gardening offers.
A Season of Learning and Growing
Gardening is more than just a hobby. It’s a continuous learning journey. Mastering plant knowledge, soil management, and the subtle art of observation are keys to becoming a skilled gardener.
This season, let’s challenge ourselves to think about what “enough” really means. How many plants do we need to buy when the real joy comes from growing them ourselves?
Through propagating plants and starting seeds, we engage directly with the cycle of life, learning more deeply about the plants we cherish.
Seed Starting Challenge
This season, I embarked on a seed starting challenge, transforming a little corner of my basement into a nursery for my future garden stars. Starting with eucalyptus, coleus, and begonia seeds, I’ve now moved on to the bulk of my seeds, preparing for a season full of growth.
This journey was made even more special by sharing it with my mom, reminding us both of the anticipation and excitement that comes with planning a garden.
Creating a Cutting Garden
Inspired by The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa Mason Ziegler, I’m incorporating a cut flower garden alongside my pollinator haven.
The idea of growing beautiful flowers for cutting, all from seed, fills me with anticipation for the blooms that will grace my garden and home.
The book is very inspiring, offering practical plans for succession planting that I’m eager to implement in my own space.
Join Me on This Gardening Adventure
This season is all about returning to the fundamentals of gardening, embracing the hands-on experience of growing and caring for plants. It’s a journey of discovery, learning, and, most importantly, joy.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, I invite you to join me in this challenge. Let’s share our experiences, learn from each other, and celebrate the beauty of gardening, one seed at a time.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on creating a cutting garden or any other gardening projects you’re planning this season. Let’s make this a season to remember, filled with growth, learning, and an abundance of blooms. Happy gardening!
