Who or what inspired me to garden.
When we were first married, we lived with my in-laws. My mother-in-law was an avid gardener and garden club member. When she asked me to drive her to meetings, I would sit in the back of the room and soon became hooked on gardening from all of the stories the ladies shared.
How I learned to garden.
I learned to garden from my mother-in-law who allowed me to go into her daffodil fields with her. They are such charmers and so, so easy to grow. She gave me a few bulbs, with planting instructions, easy, and when I entered a daffodil in a flower show, and won a blue ribbon, I was hooked.
Lessons learned
- My first garden lesson was that even though very colorful in the fall, poison ivy leaves should not be picked. When a handful was proudly presented to my grandfather, he immediately washed my arms in alcohol and proceeded to explain about how to ID the leaves and vines. Many years later, I learned first hand that dormant and dead vines are just as 'lethal' as those actively growing. And, of course, never, ever burn any part, any time of year as the volatile oils are released into the air and can cause serious eye injury.
