Prepping the Flowerbed

Why do we all get scared of planting a garden? Maybe it’s all the overwhelming choices we find in garden centers, or maybe we’re just worried the plants will die. My passion for gardening was earned, honestly. I grew up on a farm in the middle of corn fields in Iowa, and I didn’t move too far away. Actually, I live about one-quarter of a mile down the road. Mom always loved gardening and flowers so it’s really no surprise that I put in my first brick patio as a 7th grader. Even though some of the elements have changed, that patio is still there, serving as a reminder of where my passion for gardening began.

While my aesthetic has since changed, my love for gardening has not. Like everyone else, I’ve learned that some plants live and some die, and that’s the beauty of gardening. You learn from your mistakes and realize nature is much stronger than you. The mistakes I make also help me learn how to be better, select plants that work, and choose plants that have been well-grown.

This summer, I’m excited to partner with Monrovia on a series that aims to simplify gardening and inspire you. Gettin’ Dirty is all about planning, creating, planting, and caring for a new garden. While the idea of landscaping can sometimes be overwhelming, breaking down the process step by step can bring to light the ease of a project. And that’s what I’m hoping to show you in my own yard. I’m adding a perennial bed with subtle color and year-round interest, as well as the beginnings of a whole new vision, complete with a boxwood hedge and a little hardscaping. I’m going through all the steps so you, too, can see that your vision really can become a reality.

I believe in choosing plants that give you a head start. That’s why I love Monrovia. When I buy any plant from Monrovia, I know that it has been grown to the highest standards of quality. Honestly, I used to think the growing process didn’t really make a huge difference. But with some unfortunate trial and error experiences, I now see the difference in my own yard.

As with most things in life, before you start, it’s best to have a plan. Whether you draw the whole thing out or just think it through in your head, the layout is a great starting point. The fact of the matter is that plants grow. Period. What you buy today will (most likely) be larger in the future. Planning out your area will help determine what and how much you can fit in. If you haven’t planted in the area before, you may need to remove sod and till the ground. Roots like good drainage and need oxygen. A little planning goes a long way no matter if you’re planting one plant or many!