Life Lesson in Gardening
From the beginning, garden management has been entirely my responsibility. My husband rarely participates, though he used to mow the lawn during the first five years before finding it too exhausting.
Since moving in 2015, I've maintained the garden minimally. I'd only cut the grass when it reached knee-height and trim trees when they became overly unkempt. Owning a large yard while neglecting it brought me increasing guilt year after year.
I desperately wanted to cultivate the garden but knew it would consume my free time like a black hole. Balancing work life and caring for two young children seemed to leave no room for gardening. Just as this guilt was weighing heavily on me, COVID-19 arrived. Suddenly unable to go anywhere, I felt strangely relieved.
Five Years of Gardening: A Critical Self-Review
After five years, you might expect significant improvements in both my gardening skills and the garden's production capabilities. However, the progress has been rather slow. Here's a candid look at my gardening journey.
1. Soil Neglect: The Foundation of Gardening
Proper soil management is physically demanding and expensive. My impatience often led me to quickly plant flowers without adequately preparing the ground. The consequences were predictable: weak plants, increased pest vulnerability, and low success rates.
Last year, following a gardener's recommendation, I invested in soil upgrades for one flower bed. The results were remarkable: the same flowers grew larger, more robust, and more abundant. This firsthand experience taught me an crucial lesson—there are no shortcuts in gardening. A strong foundation is everything.
2. Battling Slug Infestations
Living in an area with consistently damp weather, slug infestations became a significant challenge. During peak seasons, I could collect around 200 slugs in just an hour. After years of frustration, I've finally started using organic solutions.
My new strategy includes:
Organic slug pellets that don't harm pets
Experimenting with fruit peel and sugar enzyme treatments
A more proactive approach to pest management
3. The Game-Changing Greenhouse
This year, I installed a small vinyl greenhouse—a modest 35 euro investment that made a substantial difference. It protected young seedlings from harsh temperatures, wind, and rain, allowing them to grow healthier and faster.
Given the Netherlands' unpredictable spring weather (often cold and wet until May), this protective device will be crucial. I'm critical of myself for not making this investment years earlier.
Gardening Philosophy: Dedication Determines Success
In my marketingg work, I meticulously craft proposals, leaving no stone unturned. I've learned that gardening demands the same level of commitment. Doing things halfway inevitably leads to mediocre results.
I used to see gardening as a casual hobby that shouldn't require intense effort. Now, I realize this approach was a bit lazy, explaining my slower-than-expected learning curve.
Looking Forward: A New Gardening Approach
As I approach my sixth year of gardening, I'm fully committed to investing more passion and care. Gardening is more than a hobby—it's an incredibly physical yet profoundly artistic endeavor, a living, breathing form of creativity.
This coming flower-growing season, I'm focusing on:
Improving soil health
Advanced slug management
Nurturing seedlings in my greenhouse
Producing an abundance of flowers for Flower and Flour
Still, my garden is large and full of flowers and it’s definitely worth a visit. Stay tuned for more gardening adventures!