It's probably strange that the first journal entry to this account, which will be a place to share planting combinations, garden design projects, and design ideas, as well as moments from my own personal garden (also, etc etc) is not an introduction to my garden or my garden design business but in fact, about being away from my garden. More specifically, about someone else taking care of my garden when I have skipped town.
But that's just the way it goes, so hi! Thank you for being here.
If you've ever tended to a garden, or even just one little plant in a little pot, you'll be familiar with that unique conundrum of 'taking a vacation.' Taking a vacation should be exciting! Something to look forward to for weeks or months while you go about GETTING to your vacation. And it generally is exciting, except for...well, the stress of what might happen to your plants while you're gone.
Takes the excitement down a few notches, doesn't it? Because while you're on your vacation having a great time (hopefully) your plants are stuck at home, alone. Likely thirsty. Definitely lonely. Maybe even being eaten alive. They're defenseless. While you're on your second glass of wine.
It was a thought too much to bear for me, so several years ago while my garden became 'a project' (meaning it requires some modicum of regular care to survive) I started to panic when a vacation appeared suddenly on the horizon. We were going to be gone ten days. In July. Surely I was serving my garden a death sentence?
As it turns out (and to quickly spoil the ending), I had not. Because something happens when you take on a garden (or even just a little plant in a little pot), you suddenly find yourself in a community. Of plant-loving people. A team who are always at the ready to talk plants, look at plants, plant plants, and most importantly in my situation, take care of plants. Even those that are not their own. In fact, they thrive when helping other plant-loving people.
Yes, you can hire someone to care for your plants in your absence (and do please reach out if you'd like that person to be me), but you may just find that you already have that person in your life (and they'll even be free! But do throw them a gift card or something). Are you feeling doubtful? Ask yourself: do you know someone who likes plants? Well, there you go. Call that person.
I happen to live next door to a retired couple, both fervent gardeners (FERVENT), who have created a space around their home that is the very definition of transportive. It is thoughtful, messy in that chic CA-native kind of way, and really, to summarize: stunning. They never miss a day to be outside, even if for just a moment to clip or pull, or for a quick complaint of the cold weather. And as soon as they noticed me lugging bags of mulch around, little pots of seedlings started to show up on my porch.
They were the people for me. I felt sheepish to ask but desperate to ensure my plants survival and so I called. (Actually I was too chicken to do that, I emailed and then ran away from my computer once I clicked send but never mind that). And they said yes. Because of course they did. They're gardeners.
So I think maybe you'll agree with me that this very first post of mine is about community. It's about the love for and the dedication to plants, about helping others realize their plant journey, and just about being a good neighbor. And not being afraid to ask for help. All in all, the good stuff in this very planty life of ours.
And that's what I really hope to highlight in this journal of sorts. Plants, of course, along with design ideas!, and stories (shorter ones likely) celebrating both the plants and the community that loves them. So again, thank you for being here. You're my kind of people, and I am very grateful for you.
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But as this is a garden journal, and the intro to my gardening life, here is a picture of one of my favorite plants currently in the garden. One I used to hate, and nearly pulled. But more on that later.
Salvia leucophylla. A very, VERY aromatic (read: stinky as heck) low-growing, spreading/splaying (in the best way) CA native. If you have a rock wall or really an edge-of-any-kind with very free-draining soil, she is the girl for you. Below is one of her blooms.