The Ingenuity of Gardeners
by Colleen Vanderlinden • March 19, 2009 • Miscellaneous • 12 Comments
After getting to know more and more gardeners over the years, both online and in person, I’m convinced that they are some of the most creative people in existence. I suppose you need to be creative to be able to see a lush, bountiful garden where nothing but dirt and maybe a few newly-planted seeds presently exist. Gardeners are visionaries, and designers, and problem-solvers. I think the world would be better off if we had more gardeners in charge of things. Think about it….
I’ve run across two posts in the last couple of days that illustrate exactly what I mean. They are fantastic, free, practical ideas that will make planting seeds and keeping track of where they are planted in your garden much, much easier. Check them out:
Over at Mr. Brown Thumb‘s blog, he introduces a nifty method for marking where you direct-sowed seeds in your garden—using cut up toilet paper rolls.
Mrs. Chiot over at Chiot’s Run has turned Square Foot Gardening into an art form with her ingenious plywood seed planting templates. She explains exactly how to make and use them in your garden.
I am totally stealing….er, incorporating….these ideas into my gardens this year. Thank you MBT and Mrs. Chiot for sharing your great ideas!
Those are excellent articles. Thanks for showing them!
Thanks for stopping by! Stopped by your blog earlier…very nice cold frame you’ve got there!
Both great ideas! Thanks!
Hi Sheila,
They are–I wish I’d thought of them
You certainly have a lot blooming in your garden now! I’m envious…still waiting for blooms here.
Thanks for stopping by!
Both are brilliant ideas! I especially liked the painted templates.
Hi Nancy,
I liked that touch as well. They’re actually rather pretty!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Colleen,
Glad you liked the post and thanks for the link. I’m a really disorganized gardener and am always looking for ways to add some order to the garden.
My new mantra is “It would be a far better world if the gardeners were running it.” These are inspiring ideas, I don’t blame you for borrowing them.
Great points! Thanks for sharing!
MBT–You’re welcome. My problem is that I get a little overzealous when I weed. I’m always sure I’ll remember where I planted seeds, but I can’t even count how many times I’ve hoed down annuals I’ve direct-sown. So annoying! Your tip will help me a lot, so thanks!
MMD–Too true. They are great ideas!
Michelle–You’re welcome, and thanks for stopping by. Loved, loved, loved seeing all of those gorgeous blooms on your blog today! I’m still a few weeks away from daffodils here. I can’t wait!
Thanks for the spotlight. I’m always hoping I can find interesting things others are doing to help in my gardening efforts and I’m always willing to show other what works for me.
I like the book in the sidebar, “Edible Gardening for the Midwest”, I’ll be requesting that from the library for sure!
Hi Mrs. Chiot! It was a great idea–I’m so glad you shared it with us. I’m definitely going to be trying it this year in my own garden.
I hope lots of people like the book
Thanks for stopping by!