I’ve been doing some critical thinking (OK, more like daydreaming) of late and had some thoughts I’d like to share with you today.
In true fashion, I haven’t come up with a clear cut decision on any of these things:
How is it that I have yet to transplant a single shrub/perennial this year?
This is a fascinating development for me. By this time last year, I had completely overhauled my front bed after doing the same the prior year.
I think there may be multiple, potential reasons for this non-activity. Let’s explore, shall we?:
- Laziness – nope, still have that same drive I’ve had for the past decade.
- The weather – the wet soil is not ideal for planting and transplanting, but that has never stopped me before.
- Time – yes, this is always a hurdle, but I managed to find the time the past few years.
- Patience – again, nope. I am always in analysis mode and will take swift action when required.
- Satisfaction – is it possible? Maybe I kind of like how things look right now? I think this, gulp, may be the case. While a true gardener is never satisfied, I am finding that maybe, just maybe, I’m getting better at this design gig. We’ll see how long it lasts.
Do I need to develop a game plan or determine where I want to take this blog in the future?
I’ve been reading quite a bit on the state of garden blogging and where it is headed. There seems to be a discord between those who write for traditional media outlets and those who blog. Bloggers are often accused of being uneducated and inexperienced in the world of horticulture and guilty of spreading misinformation. While I am relatively new to the world of blogging, I have been a regular reader of garden blogs over the years and have found that very few, if any, have given out bad information. What I have found, is that garden bloggers are full of passion and love to share their own experiences with others. These bloggers are a great mix of designers, farmers, plant geeks and backyard gardeners and I find all of their writings to be an inspiration.
Which leads me to the question I posed above. Where am I going with this blog? Is it simply a collection of photos of my gardens along with my own commentary? Am I targeting beginning gardeners or those who like using Latin names? Am I trying to impress my friends and family? Or show off the fact that I have some decent plant knowledge? The truth – I have no idea at this point. I’m just enjoying the ride and writing about my true passion.
I won’t kid you, I closely analyze the traffic to this blog and have educated myself on how to up my rankings in the Google search listings. I also have become fascinated with social media – my Twitter page can be accessed here and yes, I even created a blog Facebook page here.
At the same time, I find myself enjoying the personal posts and simple tours of my gardens more than any other entry I typically write. Would I ever consider advertising? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t rule it out if I were to be so lucky to receive that opportunity.
Should I feel dirty when I purchase plants from one of the “big box stores”?
This applies to all sorts of purchases (produce, appliances, etc.) and not only plants. Should I be willing to pay a bit more at my local garden center knowing the money will be staying local? How do I turn down how cheap Home Depot and Lowe’s can be on certain plants? There is nothing better than a visit to my local nursery and I want to support them in any way I can. I’m still working out this one in my wallet, my head and in my conscience.
How do I extend my gardens beyond the perimeter of my home?
I have spent the better part of six years trying to get the garden beds that surround my home/driveway right. Now I’m ready to extend out. The problem (and blessing) is that I have a large property and don’t know where to begin.
Ideally, I want to get to a point where I have many garden rooms or “places to chill”. All of these rooms would be attached with interesting and meandering garden paths. In my head it kicks ass but in reality I feel like I’ll never get there. Beyond the typical issues of time, money, deer and … time, I don’t know where to begin. I don’t like the look of island beds so I want to some how transition from my yard to the woods that border my property. OK, fine, this isn’t a problem at all and damn exciting, I just need to start it and see where it leads me.
John
I’m in this same situation so I’m going to be watching what advise you get and what you eventually do. People rue having a small property, but it’s the BIG yards that are a problem.
I SEE them divided up into rooms-and I like them. But with my own place, I have NO IDEA where to start.
Best of luck to you-I’m sure there are plenty of folks out there that will get you started (and me too!)
love your rambling back yard. but i’d imagine that does present some problems for a gardener such as yourself… good luck with that!
I ask myself where my blog is going all the time, but when I try to be stricter with the content I kinda lose the passion. I like the freedom of my current blog and it’s really beneficial to my process….maybe a second one is in order that’s more structured. Personally, I like the mix you offer.
I think a sunken terrace could be a great way to move out from the house. I can’t tell from the pictures if this is possible, but if the lines were organic you would achieve the effect of special nooks, or rooms, without islands. It would also make all of the sun in the summer not seem so oppressive in the open space *I have never created any kind of terrace and have no idea how costly this is*
John, all your musings are most interesting. We all have plans or changes or adjustments with our gardens….and sometimes we just like to step back and enjoy our labors.
As for ‘where your blog is going’ laments… be yourself. Do what you want to do. Read what you want to read. Sure there are some out in the blogging world who may not be schooled in horticulture, but they have real life experience. I read what others have to say about a plant or a design and then I research beyond their postings. Educate yourself…but by all means, BE YOURSELF. Do what makes your happy. Blog about what you want, if people come and read and comment– super, if not, you are true to yourself.
Some of the least commented posts I have done are my tree posts. However, they are the most visited, most referenced and most anticipated for the next tree.
I enjoy reading your posts, many are quite funny, you have a good sense of humor…that and I like seeing your garden.
You should heir a landscape architect to help you get your ideas on paper…I might know a good one 🙂
I am sure that at some point, inspiration will hit you and you will know what you want to do where.
My brother doesn’t have a huge yard, but perhaps you’d like to look and see what he has done with his. He has even made his own walk-ways and ‘designer’ bricks and such. You can check him out here: http://wynedge.blogspot.com/.
Good luck! 🙂
When I read your question about spreading your garden beyond the house, I started thinking about how we did this. We started gardening here about 30 years ago, and began around the house. Then we put in some trees and a large vegetable garden. We put in paths to destinations and then fences and flower borders. A large herb garden and a pond, and some sheds add more destinations and paths. We never planned anything on paper, but it works pretty well. Hope this helps!
You are full of thoughts today. I plan nothing on paper but plan much in my head. Some comes to fruition. I buy at big box stores mostly stuff they have marked down and at a friend’s nursery. Btw my friend who runs the nursery and has for thirty years has no formal education but I consider him an expert. His brother and co-owner has a masters degree in horticulure but is never there so that is not helpful at all.
There are at least 5 reasons why you can’t stop writing your blog:-
1] It focuses on deer proof gardening. Perhaps you might build on that.
2] It deals with gardening in wet clay. There will always be a story there.
3] The forest behind your property is what designers call a borrowed view. It’s worth a fortune and will make a future expanded garden look luxurious. Given the manner in which you approach such projects, it seems to me that you will have something to write about for eternity – if, of course, there is a budget for such an undertaking. Perhaps a branded grower,, that you might have met at a conference, will supply the plants in exchange for publicity.
4] The blog belongs to one who who writes in the tradition of Mark Twain.
4] You have singlehandedly created a new American folk character – the jock-gardener. And you own it! No one can write about him as you can.
A good book to read is Art and the Gardener by Gordon Hayward. He is a proponent of paths and focal points and a white element like you will see in paintings. He uses fine paintings as an inspiration for Garden Design.
Eileen
I think you should make this blog head wherever you want it to, whenever you want to. We all write our best (and it comes easiest) when we write about what WE want to, not what we think others want us to write about. Otherwise, it feels forced.
As for your large yard, maybe start collecting photos of ideas you like, make a plan, and work toward it a bit at a time. It’s not like you’re on a deadline. 🙂
I also feel bad at times about buying at Home Depot and Lowes instead of local garden centers. I do like to buy plants and hard to find items at the local places, and use Home Depot for the mundane things like soil, compost, fertilizers. I think your blog is pretty entertaining, your enthusiasm and passion for plants shines through. Not to mention your sense of humor. Hope you keep writing the blog in the same manner. You’re good at it!
My, you do have a large property. The possibilities are endless! Well, the concept of “rooms” is a good start. Maybe you’d want to consider themes for each room. Hmmm…exciting and also overwhelming at the same time. Hope you get the inspiration and motivation soon!
Dear John, here are some ideas I’ve found helpful
Formal beds and symmetry near the house, to echo the architecture, and more naturalistic further away
Focal points to draw the eye (and the feet)
The basic design rule of compare and contrast
Gardens are only as good as the maintenance, so keep high maintenance plantings near the house or they’ll be neglected
Raised beds help with drainage and allow the soil to warm up earlier
Learn to propagate your own plants! Raising perennials from seed and shrubs from cuttings is quite easy and will save you a fortune so you can
Plant in very generous groups
John you must keep blogging! I subscribe to your feed and enjoy reading everything you write. The question you need to answer is “Do YOU enjoy blogging?” If so, keep at it!
“Bloggers are often accused of being uneducated and inexperienced in the world of horticulture and guilty of spreading misinformation” – Screw that! I’m in North Jersey (Passaic/Morris County)and have taken some of your info and applied it to my own garden. Sometimes I make adjustments to fit my garden. Sharing what works (and what doesn’t) helps someone, somewhere.
Oh, and I look at your backyard and drool – the possibilities! the fun!
Sue – you can be sure I’ll share the results, warts and all.
Texwis – it is rambling and we love it. A never ending chance to garden my ass off.
Rosemary – truth is, I’ll always write whatever comes to mind that day. Only way I know how. And thanks for the terrace advice, it’s added to the library in my head.
Janet – I love writing about gardening and will never stop. And truth is, I’ll continue to do it as I do it now. Other ideas come and go and figured I would brain dump on everyone. Thanks for the comments.
Connor – I may do just that, but more likely I’ll just start digging one day without a plan and we’ll see where it goes.
LindaG – thanks for the link, I’ll be sure to check it out.
Cindy – I am looking at adding two new trees as we speak and maybe that will spark some ideas. Thank you so much for the feedback.
Olive – I plan in my head as well; only way I really know how. More fun too!
Allan – I’ll never stop, just consider structuring it more some times. And I know I’ll never do that. Love writing off the cuff too much.
Eileen – the book reccommendation sounds awesome and will def check it out. Thank you.
Soapbox – you are dead on, I really won’t change, just enters into my mind once and a while and writing those thoughts down always helps. Thanks!
Meems – thanks for the kind words!
Lady Pergolas – themes, hmmmm, now you got me thinking! Thanks for the inspiration.
Wiz – awesome feedback, thank you! Especially the naturalistic reminder. Time to get planning.
Cara – thanks for the nice words! I’ll never stop writing and we learn best when we get our hands dirty. By the way, I am originally from Bergen County.
John, I read your blog because it’s different than other gardening blogs and it’s fun. It’s spring and I don’t get here often now as I’m working my buns off at the garden center, but I can read a single post and be entertained. Where ever you take this, as long as I’m entertained I’ll keep reading.
As far as bloggers giving bad info, or being uneducated in horticulture… so are many garden writers that write articles for magazines. I’ve read a HUGE amount of articles that give bad or outright wrong information.
Box stores vs. local IGC: Support the local businesses as much as you can, they’re part of the community and will support you back in some way whether you see it or not. Most of us in the industry have been having a hard time the last few years due to the economy, and in a number of regions spring has not been kind this year. There are always good deals at the box stores that you can’t pass up, but hopefully the general gardening public continues to see the value of the independent and is willing to pay the (often much) higher price. “You can do it, Home Depot can help” …by providing lower prices. Independents can provide design ideas, a much larger selection of unique plants, custom ordering the exact plant you want, encyclopedic knowledge of the plant material we’re selling, etc. I live and breath horticulture, I have 15 years of experience in my industry, I grow & sell plants because it’s my passion, not my pacheck; my light bed-time reading is the Dirr manual. Can the employees at a box store say the same?
You’ve raised some good questions, that’s for sure. I think if bloggers DON’T go through some sort of “why am I doing this?” questioning, then there’s something missing. I stopped worrying about that a while back; almost gave up blogging, felt like I was just “bragging” about my garden and who really cared but me anyway? But we DO care, otherwise we wouldn’t read your blog. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE looking at other gardener’s plans, and loves, and knowledge. I’ve learned a lot by reading blogs. I feel like I actually know some of these people I’ve never met, and blogging has allowed me to meet bloggers in person I wouldn’t know otherwise. Personally I don’t enjoy blogs with lots of ads on them. I know two bloggers who are garden writers so I understand their point of view as to how they deal with their blogs.
Hubbie and I frequent a local nursery here in Boise which we love and at which we’ve spent a few thousand of our hard earned money over the years. Since we are also at HomeD often we occasionally buy a plant there and don’t feel much guilt. (I do draw the line at WalMart).
As for your not transplanting anything yet, perhaps you’re right, it’s because you finally have things the way you want them! Good for you.
You have quite the area to garden in yet, I’m WAY jealous! My advice for what it’s worth, start with one area and do something you want with it. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Maybe do a “destination” plan with paths and a gazebo or some such. Whatever you do, it’s going to provide you with years of gardening fun.
My you have been doing a lot of pondering! I too have been thinking about the direction of my blog and the jury is still out except for the “do it ‘cos you enjoy it” factor, which is a must for me.
As for your point about misinformation in gardening blogs – I think that garden bloggers write from experience – however much they have of it – and experience is there to be shared and is a great learning tool.
Interesting post for sure!! I enjoy stopping by to see what you are up to. I have a huge yard like yours. .that had NOTHING in it but 2 lilac bushes when we moved here 13 years ago. A few years ago, I added some small variety blue spruce trees and a garden to a hard to mow sloping area. .and then things took off from there. They now act as anchors to our yard. .and most recently a smallish water garden is adding yet another dimension. I find that if I am patient. .good ideas come. .and the motivation to make the changes needed!! The designs will come!! Keep up the good work!
Hi John,
I was lovin your buds in the rain above… but I started meandering down here and enjoyed all your thoughts.
I don’t think I am getting that much done this year either, I hate transplanting in the mud, but I think like you, I feel more satisfied than usual. My husband and I garden together when we can and it seems more peaceful and satisfied. The funny thing about gardening to me is no matter how beautfil a plant looks I always say ” I can’t wait till next year” it will always be bigger or better:-)
You got a really good chunk of land there, we do a half an acre garden, I wanted more, now MOST days I’m glad I didn’t get more, not getting any younger and all 🙂
wow thats a lot of yap!!
Wishing for sun for you!
Bella
John, great post and so many of these questions I have asked of myself. I too have a large property but have gone oppposite of you. I’m starting from the outside and working in. Mainly because our house requires exterior work that would damage any beds around it. It’s been scary and thrilling to try and figure out what to do with all that space. Unfortunately my budget requires that many supplies are bought at box stores. But I don’t feel all that badly really because my favourite garden centre is a box store. The manager there and his staff are friendly, helpful and love plants. Everything people say a box store isn’t? As for blogs, I think people visit ‘amateur’ blogs for the story they give. Professional blogs offer good information but can be a bit dry. I like hearing about people’s struggles with their gardens, the choices they made, the mistakes. These gardens aren’t perfect in design or execution but they’re infinitely more interesting than anything a professional can produce. (but then I’m a biased amateur!)
Nice post with a variety of thought provoking issues. Enjoyable read. Myself, I just garden when I want, how I want, buy what I want wherever I find it and love being outside in the garden looking at the blue skies and listening to the birds sing, always improves my karma and that is what I want :).
Hi John,
I just love your philosophy on gardening! It seems I am always moving perennials and shrubs trying to find the perfect combination. I too may be neurotic … lol. I do tend to stay away from the box stores when it comes to gardening. I find the quality at my local nursery is much superior. You have some wonderful land between your home and the woods. Have you ever thought about building a gazebo? I would love some pointers on how to increase the traffic to my blog so feel free to email me 🙂
Only a gardener would understand your thinking this much about your gardens. I have neighbors who have had the same plants in for 50 years and they are down right ugly but I bet they don’t even give it a thought. If a plant becomes unsightly I rip away. I am always thinking about the garden. As for the big box stores, I don’t discriminate. Home Depot out here has a some beauties this year. I do shop at my local nurseries more for pleasure. The experience is more enjoyable. Glad to finally run into a male blogger.