Gardening is not an Art...

Looking around today and found a link to an extremely helpful site by Tom Clothier. I mainly went there to look up seed germination temperatures but found so much else there. Don't let the simple layout of the site fool you, it's got a lot to offer. 


I love his philosophy on gardening too. When you look around at all these better homes and gardens magazines and just generic gardening material, they make everything so intimidating looking and make it seem as though everything has to be perfectly planned out and strategically designed. It makes gardening look like such a daunting task that it sucks all the pleasure out of it. I liked this excerpt from an article he wrote, found it amusing...

     "Each year, I add as many plants for restoring or maintaining Nature's balance as I add purely for ornament.  My computations indicate that my two acres will be completely filled with plants that do well for me during the 24th year of the plan.  There will be no grass left save that necessary to transport materials and escort visitors. Then, during that year, when I am no longer able to maintain the property anyway, I plan to win the Illinois lottery.  I will immediately hire a professional landscaper who will take stock of my thousands and thousands of plants.  He or she will then move each one to its proper place in the grand scheme of things.  Colors will be complimentary and appear in waves as the season passes. Better Homes & Gardens and Architecture Digest will be calling every day for an appointment. Martha Stewart will stop by for a chat, carrying a fruitcake made from recycled tires.  I will tell everyone that I have been at work here for twenty-five long years.  People will refer to my place as a "botanic wonderland."  Every visitor will be required to take home two or three potted plants or seedlings. They will be glad  --  and I won't tell them that by giving plants away, it is one of my strategies for dealing with pillbugs  --  I deport them."

He also basically says that different plants are just better suited for people and climates, so stick with what you're good at, get a different variety of the same species or family. Knowing that not everyone will be able to grow everything wont make me feel so horrible if i dont have as many successes as i would hope for. But while i plan to have a lot of plants that thrive, i cant help but want to try some of the more difficult varieties too (i bought some tropical/exotic seeds a while back!). I have to tell myself one thing at a time...


I'm still exploring the site but i recommend anyone who gardens to read it. I'm sure everyone would find something useful, if not amusing, there.


sidenote:

Look how cute! Saxifraga umbrosa. 

They are sooo tiny tho.   -->