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May 1, 2019
Gardener Of The Month: May 2019
Burpee  Edible Gardening Team Members

The Growing Gardener

This month’s gardener, @growing.in.the.garden, is truly an inspiration to countless #instagardeners. She has a dreamy garden, delicious harvests, and an eye for design. Most of all, though, she reminds us that we are meant to grow when we’re in the garden! She says she’s constantly reading and learning more about gardening and how to grow as a gardener.

“My garden teaches me each season. I learn from the successes & failures, but it’s a lot more fun to eat the successes.”


Describe your garden.
I have several raised beds and containers. I also grow several varieties of fruit trees including citrus, apple, peach, plum, fig, and pomegranate. I love vertical gardening which allows me to grow more in less space.


What inspired you to start gardening?
My garden inspiration began at a young age. My grandparents in Indiana had a large garden, and time spent in their garden is one of my favorite memories. We also had a garden in Idaho when I was young.


What has been your biggest gardening fail?
When I began gardening, it was difficult to find correct information about Arizona’s unique climate. I used a few planting guides that I found online, but didn’t have much success. When I found a correct guide for my area from the local extension office, I finally was planting at the correct times and was successful.


Do you cook? What’s your favorite dish to make with your harvest?
Absolutely. As a mother of five, nothing beats the feeling of heading out to the garden to harvest a lot of what my family eats. Vegetables, fruits, and herbs from the garden are harvested almost daily. We eat them fresh, and I also preserve by canning, drying, and freezing. Favorite recipe: https://growinginthegarden.com/garden-fresh-tomato-and-basil-pasta/


What’s one piece of advice you would give a beginner gardener?
Find a planting guide meant for your area and start small. Get in the habit of spending a little time in the garden each day. Keep a garden notebook of your successes and failures - learn from both.


Do you have any other hobbies?
My background is in art. I love making the garden beautiful by incorporating the elements of design and repurposing vintage elements in the garden. I’m turning into a writer as I share what I’ve learned about gardening in Arizona on my blog growinginthegarden.com and on Instagram and Facebook, and as a regular contributor to Master Gardener publications and other gardening websites.


Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
I have 5 kids in 5 different schools - graduate school, college, high school, junior high school, and elementary school. Keeps everything busy but fun.


Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m grateful for the gardening community online. I’ve learned so much from other gardeners around the world.

Burpee Home Gardens is proud to share the stories and garden experiences of all of our 2019 Gardeners of the Year. Follow us on Instagram (@burpeehg) for more gardening fun, and make sure to tag us in your photos with Burpee Plants!

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