how did you learn to garden?

**forestdale** · 01-29-2006, 11:02 PM

My mother and grandmother taught the love of gardening, I also learnt a lot from books, magazines and TV. But most of all I leant from trial and error. I've gardened on and off for 30 years and have always been keen to learn new methods and ways of growing plants.

How did you learn?

**britbunny** · 01-30-2006, 06:16 AM

I am very much a learner gardener!

This is only the second year of having a garden as such and the first year of dealing properly with plants rather then having to do the hard landscaping and being restricted to containers only.

Luckily both our families are really into their gardens so they're a great deal of help. They have all donated various books and magazine cuttings for me to have a look at so I'm learning more all the time.

**sunshine** · 01-30-2006, 09:33 AM

From working along side my grandmother, my mother ,my grandfather. . .

They patiently taught me the art of companion planting, weed control, proper watering, succession planting, etc.

**ACEHearts** · 01-30-2006, 09:47 AM

My parents always had a large garden when we lived on the farm, though I'm finding out I'm learning a lot more from books, forums etc than they ever taught me. I've also found I have to be very careful in sharing new tricks with them, because they aren't very receptive to different ideas.

My dad figures if *he* couldn't grow something or didn't have luck with it, than no one can... so I end up being very careful with stuff in this department!

I've made Diane (owiebrain) the person I talk to most now about gardening stuff, as my parents aren't open to things, and are also in a slightly colder zone than I am, and can't get their mindset out of that!

Cindy

**Kimberlina** · 01-30-2006, 10:39 AM

We had a big garden sometimes when I was a kid. If I learned anything from it, it is that I don't like weeding and I don't like snakes.

My great aunt & uncle had a wonderful, huge garden when I was a kid. I remember them giving us big bags full of peas. Yum! Who wouldn't learn to love gardens?

Most of my practical gardening skills have come from books, the internet, magazines, and television shows. I do ask my Dad for gardening advice frequently, too, and of course, Rhonda.

**jlxian** · 01-30-2006, 10:45 AM

Working with my wonderful father in the garden. Also, I took a lot of horticulture courses in college, and worked in a landscaping business/lawn & garden center in the summers.

**Valerie in WA** · 01-30-2006, 01:12 PM

I learned the basics from books & by experimenting. Now, I feel like I'm getting into more advanced techniques & I am experimenting even more. I still use books, but I also use the 'net more, and people, such as those here at the village.

**djs** · 01-31-2006, 11:58 AM

My Grandfathers both used to garden so I would watch how they did things, but most of it has been from reading and just trying different things. Right now I'm really having to relearn everything it seems since I moved to FL but, it sure is fun!!

**owiebrain** · 01-31-2006, 12:00 PM

Various family members gardened when I was a kid so I'm sure I picked up some things from them. Mostly, it's been just getting out there and doing it, learning from personal experience along the way.

**marym** · 01-31-2006, 12:12 PM

From my Grandfather, he had a strawberry farm. I spent many hours following him around the fields.

**Katybird** · 06-18-2007, 07:59 PM

My Mom always had wonderful gardens when I was young but I was too self centered to learn much, I thought of it as a chore and did not want to learn anything but as I got older, I began to ask questions of my Mom and have learned lots from her. I also use the internet a lot to search out answers if I have a question that I want answered right that second. I have asked questions at the local nurseries also, they are a wealth of information about the best types of veggies and fruits to grow locally.

**MarshHen** · 06-21-2007, 05:54 PM

I learned to grow vegetables from my dad and to grow flowers from my grandmother. As a kid, I would spend hours with both planting, digging, hoeing and watering. I can't tell you how many hours I spent on my knees pulling weeds, but I loved every minute of it. Each of my three children love to garden as well. Both of my oldest kids each have thriving vegetable and flower gardens, and my 14 yr. old daughter races me to the vegetable garden each morning to pick, LOL. Last week, she took it upon herself to stake and tie up the pepper plants cause she said they were top heavy.

**Frugal Girl** · 06-22-2007, 05:57 AM

Books. And I'm still learning. It's in the blood, though. My grandmother and mother were gardeners.

**brainyblonde** · 06-22-2007, 06:25 AM

My grandfather! Pop moved in with us shortly after we moved from the city to the 'burbs. He was diabetic and my mom looked after him. I was the eldest child, and since he was unable to do any physical labor, I helped him. He taught me how to plant tomatoes and beans. He'd mark a broomstick with the depth I needed to plant seeds.