Comments on: Growing Useful Plants: An Interview With a Woman’s Garden Author Tanya Anderson

By: Marnie

Marnie — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:55:28 +0000

Oh, how I hated being conscripted to water, weed, pick and sell the market vegetables we grew when I was a shy, only child who just wanted to be left alone to read her books! Although I recognized the flowers that my mother grew were beautiful–the rainbow coloured dahlias, the fragrant wisteria vines that she trained to grow like an umbrella, raining down purple blossoms, the myriad daylilies and roses and peonies–I wanted no part of their caretaking. It was only when I finally had my own home with a patch of land that the seed my mother planted in me took root. I began to learn about plants, grew many, became a master gardener. I see my mother in my own garden and honour her memory most there.

By: Deb Morey

Deb Morey — Sat, 04 May 2024 12:10:58 +0000

My inspiration and love of gardening came from my mom who not only grew and canned many things from her vegetable garden, but was also an avid flower gardener as well. All of that has inspired me to love gardening so much that I pursued a degree in horticulture.

By: Marti

Marti — Mon, 16 May 2022 12:40:41 +0000

Although I can grow plants only in containers now, I have fond and vivid memories of my grandparents’ extensive gardens and learning that both food plants and pretty plants are valuable in their own way.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Sat, 14 May 2022 16:38:01 +0000

Gardening is a healthy hobby, and I love flowers and colors in the yard.

By: Debbi

Debbi — Thu, 12 May 2022 23:05:14 +0000

I learned to love gardening while following my brother in law (who is much older than I am) around the yard when I stayed with him and my sister every summer as a child. His Uncle Clem gave me a fascination with useful plants – particularly vegetables.

By: Katie B

Katie B — Thu, 12 May 2022 14:40:04 +0000

My mother grew up on a farm in the 1930s to 1950s. They grew most if their food. My father grew up with a garden that produced a lot of their food. At some point they went suburban and stopped gardening for food and lived in the land of weedkiller perfect lawns. I started gardening because I remember planting a veg garden with my dad when I was very small, and visiting the farm my mom grew up on. My Aunt who remained there always took me put to her gardens and showed me qhat was going on. Time seemed to be different there, it was peaceful. I am connected to life and all the earthiness of it all when i garden. Plus, to pass it on to my kids (and anyone else willing yo listen or sample something from the garden)

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 09 May 2022 00:27:44 +0000

I started gardening to honor and carry on from my Nana and my Mother who both had me digging in the dirt from as far back as I can remember.
There are many times during the growing season that I spy something special in my garden and call on either my Nana or my Mother to take a look at the special find – I feel they watch and guide me through my many journeys in my garden and I just love it.
I have passed these genes on to my Daughter and Grand-daughter and I hope they continue the tradition I have British heritage so I strive for a classic English Cottage garden.

By: Kay Bowles

Kay Bowles — Sun, 08 May 2022 20:51:16 +0000

I am late to gardening although my Mother and Grandmothers gardened. I have just retired at age 69 and I am loving having the time to spend outdoors and enjoying planting and nurturing. In the past it’s been a pot here and a pot there and fingers crossed nothing would die but now I can spend time ensuring that very thing. I do a happy dance every time I step outside now.

By: Kim Lennie

Kim Lennie — Sun, 08 May 2022 20:05:09 +0000

My Grandfather loved to garden so I was taught at a very young age about plants indoors and out. He was at one time a farmer on the prairies growing wheat so he had the knack for loving everything garden wise.

By: Karen Rowell

Karen Rowell — Sun, 08 May 2022 00:29:26 +0000

I guess I’ve gardened all of my life (close to 69 years now)! My grandparents and parents were avid gardeners and passed it down to every one of their kids. I am so thankful!