17 Comments
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Esmeree Skye's avatar

before I had kids, I was a professional gardener (landscaper, but plant focused, and detail oriented) and I worked on some of the finest properties in the state. Learning how to not be a type-a and/or obsessive gardener is still such a challenge for me, 4 seasons later, but it has been so nice to learn the benefits of being a little slower, messier, and more wild in my garden (and life).

loved this one, thank youuu

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Amy Bauer's avatar

Oh my gosh I envy your skill set! I bet the properties were absolutely stunning. Telling myself that gardening a little on the wild side benefits birds and insects helps tremendously — what looks appealing to us is usually not what supports wildlife. The garden is always teaching us little life lessons ❤️

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Midnite 👾's avatar

This whole post absolutely glows with care, humor, and honest-to-goodness heart.

Seriously — the memes? The reading list? The gentle feral encouragement? Chef’s kiss.

Thank you for building this. You made something really good, and it shows.

Keep going. 🌱✨ The world needs more of exactly this.

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Amy Bauer's avatar

Oh my goodness THANK YOU. I appreciate the kind words and encouragement!! 🫶🏼

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Sarah Riley's avatar

I am in exactly the same situation! Love the advice, very affirming for how I also roll. I think of my garden as modern cottage, a bit put together but mostly can’t be contained.

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Amy Bauer's avatar

That’s how I feel most days — “a bit put together, but mostly can’t be contained.” 😂😂😂

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Jennie Langberg's avatar

Hello from central mass as well! I am very new to gardening but am a big fan of the fuck around and find out method, so this post was affirming ☺️

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Amy Bauer's avatar

Oh my gosh hello fellow central masshole!! 😂🫶🏼

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Alexandra Sperrazza's avatar

Your list came at the perfect time. I have a 4.5 year old and a 10 month old. Last year all I did was buy starter plants for our tomato and herb garden. This year I’m hoping to do a few more things but still the minimum. Happy gardening!

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Amy Bauer's avatar

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good!! I used to, and sometimes still do, get discouraged by gorgeous, pristine gardens. But that’s not my reality nor is it honestly my desire. ❤️

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

Absolutely agree either way everything! Trying to keep straight lines and have everything weed free always is just too HARD! Gardens are meant to be wild. And the bigger - the wilder. I am away from my big garden for a while and establishing a small city garden in Australia and I have to admit it is a relief to work in a smaller space.

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Amy Bauer's avatar

Constraint breeds creativity! I had so much fun designing our patio garden in LA, and was hugely overwhelmed when we first moved here and had like 100x the space 😂

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Kate's avatar

Your comment about retirees being the ones who show up on all the garden shows made me laugh. Sometimes I'm like, wait, how old am I? I went to one of my local native plant nurseries earlier this week and was overjoyed to see a fellow millennial there, too.

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Muffy Barrett's avatar

Loved the meme about men & history.

I don't have hostas, and I have never eaten them but apparently it's a thing. Should be a lot easier than digging & dividing them, too. https://foragerchef.com/eating-hosta-shoots/

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Amy Bauer's avatar

Haha I laughed at that one in particular!! It’s like ummm literally everything in history can be traced to dramatic men 🙄 I, too, have heard of people eating hosts shoots!! I don’t know if I’m that adventurous yet but you never know!!

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Muffy Barrett's avatar

Just a taste, maybe? You don't need to center a dinner around them until & unless you've verified you like them. And I have heard that if you specifically exempt kids from eating things - this is for adults, you wouldn't want any - you might get them more interested than if you try to get them eating it.

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

Beautiful

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