Carol J. Michel - Author and Gardener
Award winner author of gardening humor books
Given a choice would you prefer to have one garden that was yours to tend for many years so that you could enjoy the trees and plants you planted and see how they mature and how the garden evolves over time?
Or would you prefer to have many gardens, each that you tend for only a short time so that you could start over with a new garden every few years or so and try new plants and designs that might not have been possible in your previous gardens?
One choice…
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I have had both. Lots of the gardens I tended for only 5 years and this one, the longest-10 years, so far. This one is the best because I can have both worlds here. I can keep the bits I like and I can start over when I don't like. The best thing is that I had all the 5 years gardens and now have all the experience.
Definitely the one. But I have the best of both worlds now. I have my own garden that I've had for 13 years…still tweaking it (will I ever not be tweaking??) But I also design gardens for others, so I get to play with plants in others' gardens. And I kind of feel like they are "my" gardens. Actually, they are kind of like grandchildren. You can visit them and play with them, but I don't have to be responsible for raising them 🙂
Stone Wall Garden is our retirement playground. It is one garden but although some things are literally set in stone there is always a new spot to work on and old garden beds to redo.It's our work in progress and will be like a composer's unfinished symphony never completed.
One, definately one. I want to see it change, mature and grow. But eventually, I want to garden in the desert!!! That will be my next garden.
Carol, even if you said "one choice", many will choose both, as shown by the more privileged few above. However, i don't have both, I just want both but have only my own. Even if it's ours, i still have a problem as i work away from home and cannot do whatever i like. I plant something one weekend and will see it again next month or 3 weeks after, so that is my problem. I am waiting for the time when all my time will be in front of my garden.
I would like to have the experience of tending one garden for many years to see it mature. But I know myself. I'll always be moving every 10 years or so. It's a good thing I like starting new gardens.
Can I have one garden, but I can expand it just a bit each year, so there's always a "new" area to experiment with? Yes, I'm decidedly a one-garden woman.
I am a one garden girl. I wouldn't mind having a new garden to tend but I would want to stay there for some time. Especially now. I am a little older and it takes me longer to do things. Ha..
Since I have done this in our many moves, start a new garden, I can say that staying in one place to see things grow large and mature is great. But, since we keep learning from our mistakes, a new start has appeal, too.
Frances
One garden but with many flower beds.;) I love perennials & flowering shrubs but always have areas within the garden beds where I can plant annuals.
The annual flower choices change from year to year AND it is fun and rewarding to grow flowers from seeds.
One garden. Just one.~~Dee
Initially I wanted one garden, but with further reflection I think I would rather start over every few years. There is so much I would love to try–one garden would limit that too much.
One. Yes, we learn and it would be nice at times to start over, but I'd rather re-do and see the one garden maturing. Gardens are constantly changing, so even having one garden is like having a new garden every few years anyway! Except – you have nice, wonderful mature specimens. The perfect combination.
My first thought was, we plant the things we want to see grow up and become what they are supposed to be; for many things that is several or more years. So, yes, one garden, to see your work in its fullness. One can always re-do an area and use the new, if your vision just isn't what you expected. Good question, Carol!
It seems I end up moving just when my garden begins to look like what I was hoping for. I'd like to be in one place long enough to see the trees and shrubs mature and play their envisioned roles.
Deirdre
Definitely one garden to nurture and watch mature over the years and to call my own. I started my gardens 15 years ago and have enjoyed every moment of watching them grow.
My marigolds are the same way…blooming like it is the middle of summer and looking strong. Lovely photo's today Carol
One giant garden. That way, I could have a combo of the two options. If an area didn't work, I could just pull everything out, dump it in the compost heap, and start over.