Many people never attempt to grow anything. They think they can not or do not have a green thumb.
After a conversation with JoAnn, she convinced me anything is possible and everyone should try gardening.
Retiring after 30 years in the Paper Mill, she found her passion.
She spends hours: planting, getting her hands dirty, and pulling weeds while listening to nature. She has created a happy place to relax and entertain guests on the porch overlooking the garden.
With yard art scattered throughout the property, the many colors give this garden a very calm and inviting feeling.
Birds chirping and squirrels running around, who would not want to grab a book, a cup of coffee, and spend the day relaxing in the garden? JoAnn always tries to plant plants that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Where did she learn so much about Gardening?
Her local garden club is where she learned. Like-minded people talking about everything, from what is blooming to what type of fertilizer to use.
Each month the garden club has a guest speaker sharing knowledge on different subjects, from soil samples to fertilizer, which plants grow well in the area, or maybe how to start a plant from a clipping.
Making friends while learning and sharing is something she has enjoyed about the garden club.
Another way to learn, talk to the county extension agent and ask master gardeners in the area; they will probably answer questions you might have.
JoAnn is a person that can look at a plant and make it grow, not really, but you know what I mean; she truly has a green thumb and is willing to share her knowledge with others. ,
Talk with other gardeners, visit your local nursery, and join a garden club.
Go to https://gardenclub.org to find a local garden club near you.
Pinecomb Ginger
One plant JoAnn enjoys growing, talking about, and selling a few, is the Pinecomb Ginger.
It flowers but not in the way we think of a beautiful flower blooming. The Pinecomb Ginger blooms with a beautiful comb that looks like a Pinecomb. A colorful red comb comes from the many green leaves surrounding it.
This plant is very unusual and a great conversation starter. Who would not want to talk about a plant that looks like a pine comb? Have you ever seen one?
What does it Cost to start a garden?
The cost is relatively low; start with a few plants, grow them, maybe sell them, or give them away.
If you enjoyed growing them buy some more but do not go overboard. You do not want to purchase more than you can handle.
Listed are a few materials you might want to start with
- Decide on what you want to grow
- Pot or Planter
- Or a Designated area in your yard
- A Cutting from another plant, a starter plant, or seeds
- Gloves
- Top Soil
- Fertilizer
- Shovel
- Spoon
- Water
Many of us like to look at a garden or flower bed and say that it is beautiful. Never thinking about what plant we are looking at, what kind of soil and climate it takes to grow that plant. We just look and think to ourselves how pretty, and keep walking.
Maybe next time you walk past a garden, you will look at it a little differently, hear the sounds in the garden, smell the flowers blooming, and see if you recognize any of the plants.
JoAnn’s advice to anyone wanting to try gardening is to start small, go to your local nursery to see what plants are native to your area, and join a garden club. Gardners like to share knowledge, get out and meet a few.
Remember getting your hands dirty comes with being a gardener. Start planting; who knows, you just might find a new hobby.
Don’t forget to keep a pair of gloves handy you never know when you might need them.
I genuinely believe JoAnn has found the perfect hobby for her.
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