Every-time I think I know something – I realize there is so much more to learn.

Gardening for beginners: Everytime I think I know something, I don’t.

Sunflower Field

I’m planning a Spring garden…not as big as the ones we had growing up but hopefully, less weeds.

Planning it makes me think of all kinds of scriptures…
from:

Jesus cursing the tree when it didn’t produce good fruit
(Matthew 21:18-20) to Jesus wept (John 11:35).

I have a feeling this garden is going to produce some tears.
Some of joy. Some not.

I pray it will not be cursed to die.

I was raised around agriculture most of my life.  It has been in our family for a few generations.

I remember on a few Saturdays, my Grandma taking me to the feed store (I still remember that horse feed smell – very well.  Sweet and stinky at the same time) to buy seeds and to a local greenhouse for plants.  I always wanted those pretty orange and purple flowers so she bought me some – I was filled with joy.

However, what I didn’t know,  is they were not meant for Texas’ summer heat and soon would wither away.  I was so sad to think that I planted something and it died.  Something so beautiful.  Yet, fragile to the elements around it.

When my hubby and I first got married, Grandma came over the first of Spring and helped me plant my very own first garden.  I was so excited.  She helped me get peat moss, good soil and choose the plants.  It was going to be one of the sweetest Grandma/grand-daughter moments.

Problem was – I was in my first trimester of pregnancy with our first child.  The Texas Heat again made me crave the cool a/c for my swollen ankles.   It turns out I was good at growing jalapenos and yellow peppers.  (They can survive without a lot of watering or care.)

For the next 8 years, I was pregnant or recovering and dealing with babies.

Then we moved to where the Texas weather got more extreme with heat.

I decided it was time to try to plant another garden.  (How hard could it be? I was more mature.)

I had decided I wanted tomatoes.  Lots of them.  So I planted them in my portico.  I did it!  I had them out of the wazoo!  I canned them like crazy!

I felt like Martha Stewart – with a Texas accent.

Then the plants died.  All my tomatoes.  The Texas Heat killed them.  I was so sad.

I knew what Jonah must have felt like when his plant died over his head.  Okay, bad example.  Sort of.

I wasn’t prepared for the death of plants.

My hubs hated the way my portico looked and lovingly tried to encourage me in another hobby.

Everyone joked about my black thumb.  I didn’t not see the humor but laughed along anyway.

I learned later –  from my multitude of “gardening” and “landscaping” friends – that plants die all the time – you just buy more and trial/error are the key.  Plus, in Texas – August and September with temps reaching 107 daily – nothing can really survive.

Ha! is what I wanted to say to those nay-sayers!  But, I held my tongue.  (At least, I hope I did.)

I was the one who lost out.  I put “big gardening” on hold.  I just couldn’t see me wasting anymore money on plants for things that I could buy at he local grocery store.

Sometime throughout my hiatus – I tried container gardening.  Then I started reading and studying drought tolerated plants and specific Texas crops.

And I learned.  And gleaned (pardon the pun).  And learned some more.

I learned I liked hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, sunflower fields, pizza gardens and something made for children.

I don’t think I will ever know everything about anything.  Every-time I think I know something – I realize there is so much more to learn.

Gardening has so many possibilities.   I can’t wait to share some kid friendly ideas in future posts!

Be ready!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Since I wrote this post we have tried so many projects:

• Home-made upside down tomato planter
• Our Garden Beds made from old fence and a walk through our orchard.
• Oh, Okra – I’ve been a bad parent.  Seriously, learn my lesson…read this post if you are planting okra!