Gardener Of The Month: August 2019
Burpee Edible Gardening Team Members
It’s August already?? Our Gardener of the Month @kissmyaster will keep you inspired through one of the best months to harvest from your garden! Her tagline on Instagram is “Gardening for Busy Moms, The Very Stubborn, and Otherwise Odd.” She has a passion for encouraging everyone to make gardening fit their own unique personality, and she encourages new gardeners to not let anyone dull their enthusiasm.
What inspired you to start gardening?
I grew up gardening, and it wasn't until high school that I realized that not everyone grew up that way. Once I had my own apartment, it was on like Donkey Kong.
Describe your garden.
I live on an acre and a quarter in suburban Cook County Illinois, right outside of Chicago. I have a large vegetable garden, a large area for kids to have outdoor adventures, a gothy dark-foliaged garden, and a more native-filled front yard where I am slowly pulling out lawn for more no-mow spaces.
What has been your biggest gardening fail?
For a while, I moved every 2 years and moved all of the plants with me. That was such a dumb idea. It took them forever to recover (and it took me even longer to recover!).
Do you cook?
I cook a lot. My biggest hits are vinaigrettes and cucumber salads. I also love making elements for cocktails and boozy punches.
Do you have any other hobbies?
I have ALL THE HOBBIES! I collect vintage stuff, sew, hike, have a bunch of pets, crafting, making paper mache and we're trying to make the basement into a tiki hut.
Favorite veggie?
That's so difficult! My daughter loves cucamelons... and there's nothing like a homegrown tomato! But I do really love growing my own potatoes.
Any pets?
A rescued Husky named Laika, a Paug (Dachshund/Pug) named Elka and a longhaired black cat, Petrov.
If you could describe yourself as a color, what color would you be and why?
FLUORESCENT PINK!! SOOO MUCH COFFEEEEEE! Wait, is a disco ball a color??
Do you know any gardening jokes?
I don’t. I have long, funny gardening stories and memes!
Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
Most people don't know that we got engaged on that cheesy Ambush Makeover TV show. (Top secret! Tell no one!)
Anything else you’d like to share?
I want people to know that gardening accepts the weirdos and misfits. There is a home in the garden world for everyone that doesn’t quite fit in. Get out there and do it your way!
Have you ever gardened “your way” instead of the traditional way? Leave a comment below and let us know how you did it!
Looking for late-season gardening tips? Visit our Garden Help page for videos, guides, podcasts and more!