Gardening
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Gardening happens to be the number one hobby in the world. One can relatively garden, regarding age, sex, and size. It does not take a great skill set for this hobby, just a love for the outdoors. One has to be able to determine the difference between a weed and a flower, before you yank it out of the ground. Their is no better feeling than getting your hands into the dirt; it makes one feel connected to the earth.
When beginning a garden, you have to have some priorities. Budget is a big consideration, and you want to put plants in the ground that are indigenous to the area. That means these plants have a higher chance of surviving your beginning gardening skills. A big favorite of mine to plant are perennials. A perennial is a plant or flower that comes up every year. You do not need to purchase it every year, it just buds on its own time in your garden. Annuals are very nice, but when you are starting out they may not fit into your budget. Your best bet is to invest in perennials. Most perennials do not keep on flowering throughout the whole summer. They have a certain time set of 3-4 weeks where they keep on blooming and then they stop.
When you get your perennial garden established, then your budget can go into other purchases such as annuals. Annuals will bloom all summer long, so you will have a constant source of color throughout the summer. Most people put annuals in pots, hanging pots, or whatever device they can think of. I have seen annuals displayed outside in old bathtubs, wheelbarrows, an antique bed, whiskey barrel, toilet, and then some. People get their creative juices out when displaying their annuals. Annuals have to be purchased every year, and can run in some big money.
Saving money is the key in purchasing annuals. I try to find the landscaping nursery establishments that supply the local nurseries. You may have to drive 30-45 minutes, but it will be worth the pocketbook, because the annuals are less expensive, and you can purchase more to make a showier garden.
Gardening is a great way to relax , there is nothing more peaceful than connecting with the earth and looking at the results of one’s labor. No wonder gardening is the number one hobby in the world!