As a teenager, I like to think I had a rather green thumb. I had my own plot of garden in my parents’ backyard where I grew bleeding hearts, clematis and ferns. I had a multitude of houseplants and bonsai growing on a shelf in my bedroom. I read all I could about growing things, I talked to everyone I could find who could teach me more. I also helped in my parents’ vegetable and flower gardens.
Between caring for my kids and the house, the garden fell to the wayside after I got married. My house plants all died. I decided not to get more because we have mold allergies in the family and the soil in the house plants can harbor mold. My garden only survived if I managed to get perennials and pot them in as soon as I brought them home.
So, for years, I’ve said I have a black thumb. I could kill whole flats of seedlings just by blinking. I killed almost every potted plant I had over the course of the last 6 years or so.
But still, I’m intensely interested in plants. I am fascinated by herbs for cooking and medicines. I’m intrigued by other people’s lush gardens. I love the way a home feels when there are live and growing plants throughout.
So, I’m trying to turn my black thumb green again. Thanks to plants shared by family and friends my garden and house are starting to perk up. I’ve only killed one plant, a strawberry, through neglect so far this spring. I almost killed a rosemary bush, but it has greened up since I got it in the ground.
Now, the kids and I are sprouting seeds and I’m hoping I don’t manage to kill those. We planted forget-me-nots, moss roses, thyme, basil, oregano, catnip and johnny jump ups. So far, the basil, moss roses, thyme and forget me nots have sprouted. It’s fun for all of us to watch the green sprouts push towards the sunlight each day.
I’ve got mint waiting to be potted and a few houseplants I’m trying to go without soil (hydroponically) to avoid the mold. So, here’s to turning my black thumb green! The kids are enthusiastic helpers and I’m relearning how fun digging into the dirt can be.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:34 pm - Edit
i can grow basil and catnip – everything else tends to die on me. ok, i kill it. the catnip i learned from having kitties and pure accident – they aren’t allowed near it or it will die
June 10th, 2008 at 8:43 pm - Edit
I have a book around here somewhere called “the lazy person’s guide to gardening” or something like that….. whenever i get unlazy enough to find it (or even use my shift key) I will share with you the composting method I saw in there. It seemed super easy .. . now where did I put that book? SHINY!