Tell About a Gardening Pat on the Back

[NJCher]

Every now and then we get an ego boost from our gardens. I have two to tell about and I would like to hear the stories of others. :)

The first one happened last week when I was visiting my parents in the midwest. While I now live in the Garden State, New Jersey, I was born and raised in the Midwest. When visiting, I like to help out in my mom's garden. She is a fantastic gardener whose zucchini plant leaves are--no kidding--a foot-and-a-half across. Everything she grows is robust and healthy. It's like she can't miss. She will tell you that all she does is bury her veggie clippings in the garden but is it really that simple?

So I was out in her garden very early, like 6 a.m., and a man stopped and got out of his car. Mind you, this is a little town so everyone knows everyone else. Except I didn't know this guy but he knew me. He said, "Fantastic garden!" I responded that it was my mom's, not mine. He said "Well, you come from a long line of gardeners who really know what they're doing." He then went back in my family history, naming two generations of gardeners, and telling about their gardens.

It's definitely in the genes. My great-uncle breathed his last breath in the garden. My mom, aunt, and I all said, "That's how I want to go!"

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The other story happened a few years back. My NJ garden is built into a terrace on the side of a mountain. It is also built around a pool. It was very early and I was in the pool, but I was in the corner of the pool where no one from the street could see me. It's a dead end street and we get a few walkers down it now and then. Along come a couple women walking for exercise. One said to the other, "This is that garden I was telling you about!" They then went on to name as many plants as they could. I didn't dare move out of my corner for fear of embarrassing them!

But my head was swelling so big that they might have seen me anyway!



Cher

p.s. here's a pic of the pool in which I was hiding. The white things draped over the plants are covers for the cool weather. The pic was taken in September or October, I think.

[asdjrocky]

1. I love it when someone sees my garden (er, Urban Farm)

For the first time. My daughter lives in San Luis Obisbo with her mom and she was up for a visit before she heads off to college in Monterey, and she loved the garden. (It's my first garden ever.) I've had some neighbors take a look too, and I love answering their questions. And they love getting the free veggies!

[Blue Gardener]

2. It really does make you feel good

When people walking by comment on the flower garden. I'm glad other people enjoy my flowers as much as I do.

[Dover]

3. Now that's the best way to hear a compliment.

When they don't even know you're there. And what a wonderful family legacy you have!

Have you ever shown pics of your garden on DU? If so, would you mind providing a link?
I love your description of the terraced mountainside. Sounds lovely.

Thanks for sharing.

[tigereye]

4. one of the local recycling guys took a picture of my Mexican Hats