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:)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Your Way or Not At ALL? Perfect! Tootsie Tip!

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The trick to gardening well is to enjoy that which you are doing. Gardening is a fun, relaxing, and very rewarding hobby. For many of us, it feels like a chore, but it does not have to be that way. If you take a few steps back, think about the things you like and do not like to see in a garden, and decide how much time you want to spend in your garden, and then decide how much time you are willing to spend working in your garden. It is then that you can make a planting to suit your personal style.
The options and possibilities to creating a garden are endless. This is where planning your space is a good idea. You will need to assess the light in your space, the purpose of your space, the type of garden you are planning, where your plants will come from, what plants you will be using, how much space you have, and how much time you have. If you already know what type of garden you want to have…good for you. If you do not, then you might want to begin by looking at the options available to you. Take an evening walk, drive or bike ride in your neighbourhood. If there are some gardens that catch your eye, make a mental note, or take a picture as a reference for your garden plans.
A garden is a very personal thing. It will reflect your needs and your personality. You can make it as creative or as simple as you like. It need not be a stressful endeavour. You are the artist and your garden space is your canvas. You express yourself through the plantings you create. Many of us find that gardening is very rewarding and relaxing. The plants growing, blooming, and thriving gives a sense of accomplishment and success. Even the simplest pot of annuals, growing and thriving in your front entryway of your home will add a welcoming touch to your property. I once read a saying that stayed with me through all the years of gardening….”the amen in a garden is always a flower.”

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Over the next few posts I plan to discuss the most important things (in my opinion) that will go into planning and enjoying a garden. I have received so many different questions about where to start, what to do and how to plan , that I have decided to devote the next few days, weeks, or how ever long it is going to take me, to answer and hopefully help plan a few beautiful back or front yard gardens.

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Should you have a question that you would like me to address in these next few posts, please feel free to leave them in the comment section of these entries. I will certainly do my best to help.
Please remember that I am not a professional gardener, nor do I have a formal education in horticulture... I am just a girl with some seeds, a greenhouse, and a love of gardening. I have read almost everything I can get my hands on that discusses the topic of gardening, and often find myself teaching the garden center staff a thing or two that they didn't know!

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I am the gardener that bends and breaks the rules, and sometimes fails, but also succeeds. I have learned from many a mistake, and with that education, I can help some of my sweet friends plant and enjoy a garden or two!

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So...grab a pencil and jot down a few questions...as we begin our garden planning Tootsie series. There will be an assignment in it for you all to do, so get ready!
Until next time…Happy Gardening!

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`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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www.tootsietime.com
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18 comments:

artis1111 said...

Oh, goodie. I want to mke mud pies too.I want on the front rowe, I do have three dogs so they may eat my homework. I will have my pencil ready!. And my bublegum!!Heee LOL.Kathy

Anonymous said...

Morning Tootsie Wootsie! Oh,you are such an inspiration to me, your garden looks like heaven! We'll be celebrating our Independence Day tomorrow - got my brisket in the oven and beans in the slow cooker, made an orange cake and homemade ice cream last night. But I have a problem - I can't stay out of the ice cream today. Had a bowl for breakfast and now I'm having another bowl for a snack.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Hello is this where you sign up for gardening 101? Good, I have a question?

It's about seeds, let's say it's always summer where you live, would you still need a greenhouse to germinate seeds? I planted some in a seedling tray with potting mix and left them in the yard but they did not germinate!

I would really like some instructions on growing flowers from seeds, in an 'always summer' environment.

Thanks Toots!

Raquel

Unknown said...

Sounds great! I love the pics of the flowers grouped together!

Nancy Jane said...

Anticipating your "class" with great glee! Read Gollum just now and hope that your leg is okay. Also, I am fuming over your classroom story! Snobs are on my list of worthless people, right up there with liars! They're lower than earthworms, although now that I think about it , earthworms serve a good purpose. Snobs serve none, except their own. I know that incident probably still hurts, but don't let it get to you. Those folks are missing out on real life, and you're in the middle enjoying every minute! Snubbing you was their loss. Big hug to ya-Nancy

Rue said...

Okay... one question (for now LOL) How do you get Hydrangeas to grow? I plant them according to directions and they always die.

Hugs,
rue

Anonymous said...

I did not have any problems this time! Gollum wants me to send her some info... you know how I am with the computor. I may be calling for help from my dear friend toots. I was so mad when I read how the garden club treated you. Years ago , I had a friend in the garden club, her hubby was a doctor and she was hosting that week. I was dumb enought to think it was about gardening and just starting my garden and ask her if I could come! You should have seen her back tracking... I never felt the same about her after that. She explained to me that it was not really about gardening and you could not just invite anyone that you wanted. I could'nt beleive anyone would let others tell them who could come to their own house!! I no longer wanted to come , but just the same, it made me mad!vickydarnell

Anonymous said...

Hi again, Tootsie and I want to thank you for stopping to view my little sunporch. I need some of your pretty flowers to finish it off! Have a wonderful day tomorrow and be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Julie said...

Oh gosh, I was reading your blog backwards! LOL. I am excited to read your design ideas! My backyard needs major help...I need "Surprise By Design" to visit me for a new dream backyard!!!
Thanks for ideas!

Malay-Kadazan girl said...

An inspriration of lovely arrangement of flowers!

Leslie said...

Hi Tootsie,
I think I may have mentioned that I am a manager of a Garden Center and I always tell the first time gardeners that gardening is purely a Trial & Error experiment. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. But in the end, it's how we play the game sometimes. I can appreciate how you wrote "sometimes I teach the garden center employees a thing or two" as I've learned many gardening tips from my customers. Great post!

La Petite Gallery said...

Well it's to early yet . Still have snow and raind but I can see some grass whoopie!
I need less care as I am really gettin to old for what i did in the past, It is overwhelming me thinking of what's ahead this spring. I love your energy and plants. yvonne

Anonymous said...

Stopping by via the Monday Hop to say hello and to follow. Have a great day!
POSH
http://poshonabudget.com/2011/03/happy-monday-6.html

Amy said...

Beautiful! I love to garden, but I have to garden on a budget. :) I have to admit that my gardens have never been as colorful or beautiful as yours.

I'm returning the follow; sorry it has taken me so long. Have a great day! www.ohsosavvymom.com

Jen HaHA said...

I love your colorful planters! I need to buy annuals because I tend to stick to perennials and I miss out on the vivid color of lots of annuals. And, really, my perennials don't all return to bloom. What's perennial in other zones is not in ours (Seattle). My planters are sad because of the lack of vivid color, and because I'm afraid of overcrowding. I think this year will be a new year for my planters!

Last year was a big seedum year for me because they're so hardy. What are your thoughts on seedums? (I'm a new follower, so I apologize of you've addressed this before)

Come enter my TinyGoatStudios giveaway!

Tootsie said...

The Japanese Redneck said...

Your blog got a new look while I was out!

I luv the pictures you used for this post. The way you mix the colors in the containers is soooo beautiful.

Monday, March 07, 2011 7

Tootsie said...

Blogger Darla said...

Gifts from God are not found in a textbook Tootsie....and you certainly have a gift when it comes to container plantings and gardens...this shall be an enjoyable series you have started.

Monday, March 07, 2011 10:29:00 AM

Tootsie said...

Blogger Willow said...

Good advice. When I first started the yard at this house I wanted it all at once and was overwhelmed. Did not have fun in my garden. Now it is adding a few things each year and enjoying what I have now.

Monday, March 07, 2011 11:54:00 AM