“There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.”
The title is a quote by expert Janet Kilburn Phillips and I think she’s got it absolutely right about gardening mistakes.
I’ve been gardening seriously for around five years now, and though I feel I’ve come a long way and my fingers are a sort of shade of green, there is so much I still have to learn.
Gardening is one of those wonderful pursuits that allows you to constantly pick up new things while doing your mental health a power of good.
Photograph by Tracey Steel.
I tend not to plan my garden out too much.
If I like something, I’ll find a space for it and hope for the best! I’ve had successes, but oh, my goodness, I’ve had failure too. Gardening keeps you humble, but also makes you feel on top of the world when something flourishes and grows.
I never miss “Gardeners’ World” on a Friday night and recently I was rather surprised when Monty said he just leaves his hostas alone, and if they’re healthy enough the slugs won’t eat them!
My hostas look lovely and healthy . . . and obviously appetising because a number of our sluggish friends have decided to dine on them. I’ve had a bit of luck keeping them off with crushed egg shells and coffee grounds, but one or two still seem to sneak past!
Photograph by Tracey Steel.
When I started taking gardening seriously (I had a bit more time now that the kids were older) I really didn’t have much of a clue.
I soon began to find my groove
Ask a gardening question and you’ll get about ten different answers!
However, reading books, going online and asking seasoned gardeners, I soon began to find my groove.
I love lots of colour, but to break it up I love my hostas and hebes. Another gem are hellebores. They have gorgeous flowers that give you colour all the wat through autumn too.
Whenever I’m at a garden centre I always have a look at “hospital corner”.
This is like death row for plants. I’ve picked up some great bargains here. Most of the time all they need is a little love and tomato food. I have at least two fantastic rose bushes in my garden that I picked up for a pound each.
To start the day, I love a wee wander round the garden and I sometimes snap a couple of pictures and share them on the Fiction team group chat (the team are very patient!).
I find this a very soothing way to start the day and you can even be productive with a bit of deadheading and ninja-like weeding before you’ve finished your first cup of tea!
We’d love to see photos of your flowers, plants and gardens and you can pop them on our Twitter page, along with your own handy hints.
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