Advice from a girl with a Black Thumb

 

This project was a bit daunting at first. I am not a girl who has grown up gardening, though I had grandmothers who found it quite an enjoyable hobby. As a result, when it came to doing this project I needed some serious help. Luckily our family friend and long-time Boy Scouting companion Sharon Haunschild came to my rescue. Sharon served as my Director of All Things Green and Leafy throughout my project. We also found Dean Brady--owner of Brady's Home and Garden Center in Canon City--to be a tremendous resource, and I therefore deemed him Assistant Director of All Things Green and Leafy for my project.

 

I say this not to tell you that I am a poor gardener, but to encourage anyone with a task in which they find their skills or knowledge lacking to enlist the help of someone more knowledgeable than yourself. Not knowing how to do something is okay, as long as you don't let your pride get in the way and you are willing to learn.

 

Here are a few of the things I learned throughout the course of my project:

 

1. Consider your environment.

     What is your climate like?

     Which kinds of plants will survive your winters?

     Which birds and insects are native to your area?

     How much sunlight will your plants get versus how much they will need?

 

2. Make sure you have dependable teammates.

     Who will be in charge of the maintenance and giving your garden TLC to grow?