Reflection

I couldnt have said that better.

I noticed my FIL nagging his bride while they both attempted to put this netting over one of his ponds and stupid me went up and asked “What are you doing that for”

He replied or should I say barked “trying to keep the leaves out from all your %$#@&%$# &^%$#* trees you planted”

I looked at his wife and she smiled saying, “Ya, all those one foot tall spruce trees you planted way the hell over there”............followed by “Lord knows the leaves couldnt come from that tree right there that my husband planted”

Then I noticed this chimney coming out of the pond thats fastened to a 2×10 that crosses the pond and said nothing

I look at my gardens, I watch the sun rise and the sunset and after all the trials and tribulations the days lay before me…................the gardens are my therapy. They make me happy to be alive.

I got some great advice here and thanks to those who gave it

-- Central northish Ontario

((pass the tissues))
Wonderfully written GramT—you are as poetic with your words as you are with your garden creations! You are right – this place definitely inspires.

My “reflections” would have to add that this site kept me accountable. I mean, how could I call myself a GardenTender if I let the weeds take over my garden? No, as a GT member, I “HAD” to get out there and pull those weeds. There were days, I tell you, that I wanted to do other things but I stuck to the needed tasks because that is what everyone else here would do.
My successes were a result of my membership here and of the inspirations that everyone here provided. Thank you

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

I’ve made a lot of VERY pleasant aquaintances, and 2 good friends (we’d probably become quite close if we didn’t live 5 gallons of gas away from each other).

I’ve learned not to fret when something new tried turned out to be the error half of trial-and-error.

When we moved in here, the yard is so very different from my old one, different light, different soil (unamended sand, mostly), and of course, 4 big poplars forming a natural entrance to the side yard. I had an idea what I wanted to do right there, but you guys inspired me to take it that step or 2 further ( especially the pics of E’s lovely shade gardens).

You’ve commiserated with me over that “beautiful” fence, and given me plenty of ideas how to camoflage it.

This has been an incredible summer for me with the garden, GrandmaT has taught me to quit trying to outreach my limitations, to work within the physical parameters I now have, and that I can still end up with a satisfying garden.

I envy all the huge glorious gardens I’ve seen here, but I now know there is equal beauty in smaller, less labor(and asthma)-intensive beds.

I shake my head in awe at all the sheer work Scott H has put into his yard and harvest this year, I’ve chuckled at MsDeb’s “rip ‘er out and start over”s, especially since next year has a couple of those slated here. I’ve enjoyed GranT’s ever evolving container garden, and learned a few things from her, too. E’s yard must be incredible, a case of something new everywhere you look, and I love her unique garden art, especially the stick family.

jroot and craftygardener, your gardens are simply way out of my new league, I couldn’t manage the upkeep on a tenth of that, but they sure are pretty!

And I would continue my thankyou’s, because I have learned from and enjoyed all of you, but this is getting awfully long, so I’ll end it, at least for now.

-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.

I, too, have been putting my garden to bed for the winter. This year, I have had more time to do it, so it wasn’t so frenetic. I agree with GrandmaT, that this was one of the most enjoyable summers I have had gardening in a long time. I have enjoyed the time on this site, and like GrandmaT, felt that it was like whenever I was outside, you were all with me … encouraging me to try new ideas. I am happy to have shared some of my successes and some of my failures with your. It surely would be nice if I could invite you “over for some tea” and to share our experiences in the garden and with our projects.

I agree with GrandmaT that we have taken joy from each other, no matter what the experience level or size of the gardens. Another thing that I like about this site is that, as GrandmaT says, “There was no “one upping” here … just a pure joy of gardening and beginning friendships.” This is precisely one of the reasons I spend more time here than on the Garden Web where I used to spend a lot of time. I did not like the “One Upsmanship” that occurs there frequently, and the bickering between supposed “experts” who knew better than anyone else. I have not noticed this here to any great degree.

Dini, thank you for your kind words. I do enjoy my garden, but to be honest, it really is fairly small. The front of my lot is only 23 feet, and the back is 70 feet, but I can’t do a whole lot with the back as it is governed by the Grand River Conservation Authority. All of our plots are unique, and as gardeners, we have to work with what we have, – striving to make it a pleasant place to be.

Thank you all for your encouragement and input. It is truly appreciated.

… Now get out there and start planting those spring bulbs and also start working on your Halloween project. I was going to keep mine as a surprise for the neighbours, but after planting a couple hundred spring bulbs today, I thought I would get my scarecrow outside and put it to work. The carved pumpkin will wait until closer to Halloween, or it will rot.

-- jroot

I agree! I agree!———-with everything that has already been said. Couldn’t say it better. When I found GardenTenders I couldn’t believe my good fortune. To ‘accidently’ find others who share the same love and passion of their gardens has been great. And I’ve learned so much from everyone else’s experiences. Thanks to all.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Very well said.
I must say that I am very pleased to have ‘rediscovered’ Garden Tenders and the fantastic group of gardeners here. I’ve been exploring the group more and more and will certainly be participating more in the future.

-- Stop by and visit my homepage at http://www.craftygardener.ca or my blog at http://craftygardener.blogspot.com/ Thanks, Linda aka Crafty Gardener

GramT you said it all.I feel the same as you about Garden Tenders and all the people that we interact with so often on this site.It sure was one great summer reading and seeing what everyone else was planting and how well (or not) things grew.It was so much fun to share my gardens with people who appreciated all the work and planning it takes to make a garden special.I love the way everyone helps each other with problems and shares things that others can benefit from.It was really great making garden buddies also.The sharing of pictures on this site has been so wonderful and inspiring.I saw so many things I would like to try in my gardens.
Thank you to all who helped make this the best garden site ever.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

It is soooooo good to see all the positive comments here … the journey this past season has been a good one filled with so many wonderful “layers”. I love that we have become a true family of gardeners.

Oh and I hung out the sign … “New Gardeners WELCOME”!!! :-)

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI

I agree! too! I have been made to feel very welcome even though I live across the pond….what say you Mike? I enjoy looking at the photos and getting some lovely ideas.
Thank you everyone.

-- Derbyshire------- English Countryside