THANK YOU EXPERIENCED GARDENERS

I am surely speaking for myself and perhaps some other newbies when I stop to thank the experienced gardeners who are taking your valuable time to answer questions that puzzle new gardeners. I know that some of you have businesses to run and other jobs, and families to raise and other responsibilites yet, here you are helping those who want to know and need to know how to raise plants.
Well, I just wanted to let you know that I am grateful and I am sure others are also.
I applaud and appreciate you. Thank you from the bottom of my, and others' pea-picking, tomato tasting, pepper wanting, green bean desiring hearts. You are an inspiration and later when I know something, I'll emulate your lead and share with others. Thank you.
(hope this isn't too 'gushy' but I, and others are appreciative) Now, don't go getting all

Misty

ditto....... Misty I'm kinda new too, this will be my second gardening season after 15 years of being a slackard. I appreciate the help everyone has to offer also

Me too. Thanks.

Frank

I think I can speak for most, if not all, the folks on DG--we LOVE helping others. I've spent 40+ years learning what I know (and still don't know it ALL!) so it's fun to be able to share with others. I wish all you newbies all the luck with your gardening. And keep those questions coming. Sometimes y'all ask questions that make even us old timers have to stop and look the answer up, lol.

Amen and it's just another form of "pay it forward"! :)

Let me tell you guys something. You've added to my life in countless ways. Here are a few:
This afternoon, I picked a head of lettuce for lunch and a head of cabbage for Sunday's dinner.
This evening, I planted cabbage seedlings in the garden and look forward to more brassica - a word I didn't know before coming here.
This evening two neighbors stopped by to chat, they were people I didn't know and it's nice to get to know peoplein our new neighborhood, seems the garden is getting the attention and the flowers are not in bloom yet. It's like the people in the neighborhood are waiting for the same flowers, I'm waiting on. (LOL)
My marriage is stronger because we share a common hobby now - after 11 years of go to your corner and watch a ball game and I'll go to another part of the house and read and I'll see you at halftime. Nope, now he's toting bales of pine mulch and I'm purchasing seeds and plants.
FUN! TOGETHERNESS! YES!!
When I say, thanks to the contributers here, I'm sincere.

Misty,
I think it's wonderful to see new gardeners among us. As stated earlier, I've been gardening (flowers and veggies) for 40+ years. My father passed the passion on to me and I passed it on to both of my kids. Neither is in a place where they can raise veggies or have flowerbeds but they both love to grow house plants and look forward to the day they can have the outside gardens. I introduced both of them by letting them have their own little block of garden within my veggie garden (a tomato plant, a few green beans, some lettuce and lots of radishes). They both loved it. Now I'm working on my grandkids. We all planted lettuce just the other day and they were both so excited (they each have 4 lettuce plants that are "theirs". And they were even more excited to learn that I had done the same thing with their mother and their Uncle Bo when they were kids. It made them feel connected to the family. My granddaughter and I planted several types of flowers in peat pots (she's only 8) and it was fun seeing her come back in an hour to see if any of them were up yet. My hubby likes to tease me about growing all my "weeds," but he's always there to help me if I need it. AND, he loves getting to help eat all those fresh veggies that taste soooo much better than what you can buy in the grocery store.

My family is scattered throughout the country and one of the things my sister and I discussed on the telephone was how the new baby loves stringbeans. I told sis, I might have to send some her way. My understanding is most new aunties give blankets, rattles and other precious things. I'd like to give the best gift of all, good health! Now, that 's a gift that keeps on giving.
I think what you've done with the children is wonderful. I wish I would have learned this at an earlier age. Oh, well better late than never, they say.

thank you from Ky also. you guys are great!!!

I'd like to add my thanks on to this old thread, everyone has been so helpful and generous with their time, THANK YOU!

Hey, this is not an OLD thread... OLD threads date back to 2000, 2001... LOL!

I've been around here that long myself but I still ask questions on this forum because I'm a beginner at growing vegetables. EVERYONE has been outstanding in helpfulness!!

I have not been a member of this forum for very long, but I like beginners because they are so enthusiastic and its fun to hear about the successes they have. I have been gardening for a while now and I learn something new every time I stick a plant or seed in the ground. To me its the most amazing thing to see a seed poke up out of the ground, knowing that all the information is there in that little tiny seed to grow a plant and get a wonderful flower or vegetable. Its way cool! No one is so old or so experienced that they can't learn something new and experienced gardeners can learn a lot from beginning gardeners trials and tribulations.

well to me it's old, since I'm a new member! :)

Can I just add my two penny worth, I am so happy and proud of all the new gardeners that come onto the site as they are so novice they dont think half their questions are worth asking, but they dont even realise that sometimes even us old gardeners have to research for the answers to their problems. But as I live here in UK, I am what one calls the old time gardeners, done it from my childhood with my Dad, this site has taught me so much even though I've been gardening for too many years to mention, the friendships I have made, the information that I have learned, the different names of flowers that we all know as one name yet are called something completely different in other parts of the world, has all been a learning curve for me too, but the most enjoyment comes from the new gardeners as you follow there gardening questions and watch their confidence grow along with there gardens, the excitement they express at their first harvest of either flowers or veg is what makes this site so enlightening, sometimes it is personal problems we here and love to encourage the questioner to go on and they are doing a great job, sometimes it is funny just the way people express themselves, sometimes it is strong different opinions, but the end result is, we all want to garden in some form or another with like minded people, so love to you all and many years of happy gardening. WeeNel.

I'm jumping on this bandwagon too. I have to say I've never been part of a site that has had so many patient, kind, generous, and giving....( sheese...its hard to pick just one adjective )...people.

As I fumble for words, I cant express enough my thanks for allllll the people willing to help folks of all ages, all experiences, all walks of life. Its about trial and error. Its about learning new tricks. It's about celebrating the end result....something we've grown with our own hands.

And nothing says it better for me than I just renewed my subscription past the 2 month trial portion. !!!! Yay...what a gift I gave myself.....all of you!

my thanks to all,
Phyllis

I have been lurking here for well over a year now and just siged up, dont ask, probably because when I am in search of something I look it up and run back outside. I have learned alot here. My husband and I have a "thing" going on right now, he is growing the traditiona garden(and I helped), I planted some maters in hay bales(he DIDN'T help) and he said they will never grow, where the heck you come up with such a stupid idea. Guess what, I have 3 maters growing still small but growing. He has NONE!!!!! And his plants are bigger than mine. We go out every morning just to seach the garden for what is growing. Oh BTW we did get a late start on the garden, I think it was mid may before we got everything in. This teasing thing me and DH have going on is bringing us closer, we both enjoy the garden. And yes he also helps me weed and brings me mulch and such for my many many flower beds, I think I have 13+ flower beds.

Thanks for all the info I have become a better person by being OUTSIDE, and not on this silly computer.

To all of the "newbies", we were ALL "newbies" once, and as one who has just completed a Master Gardener program, I realized there is still SO much to learn. As other experienced ones have contributed to this thread, try to never lose your sense of wonder at how a seed becomes a plant/tree, etc. and pass it on to your children.

Well said all you guy's, have a great gardening season and good luck. WeeNel.

From birth until about 18, I was working with plants constantly. Container gardens in Boston and huge gardens in Maine. In college, I enjoyed occasionally growing stuff in containers in the dorms - at least until I found out that my roommate liked eating my goodies as much as I did. *grin*

That's a lot of experience, it would seem, but I'll tell you what: I'm just a beginner and there is a TON of stuff out there to learn. For every one time that I can share an experience or help someone out, there are at least four times that I have read something and learned something new.

So, yeah! Thank you!

I want to get in on this and thank everyone also. It has been such a joy getting to know so many wonderful gardeners and having them generously give us newbies information, help and encouragement, not to mention plants and seeds! It is indeed a blessing I am thankful for!

Well, it's been a long time since I've written, Friends. Thankfully it's beena rather productive summer, what with the summer squash that just melts in the mouth and the yummy mint tea and the...Hope all is well, I, er,uh, we, planted a garden for our neighbors too. This is great! Have a happy season, All!
Misty

Can't think of many more ways to say thanks to ALL of you for being here. I landed here with potato puzzles, stayed for the squash, and am fast becoming a happy addict. Hit the garden before it hots up, check DG, can, check DG, other stuff that still has to be done then back outside again! Cheers to all of you and here's to getting the fall plantings going!

I'm new here, but have been organically gardening for 40 years - vegetables, fruits, and flowers. I got it from my mother who has also been n organic gardener for her whole life. Gardening is a wonderful past time and there's nothing better than harvesting your dinner. Whenever I can, I share what I know and I never stop learning. That is one of the wonderful things about gardening, there is always more to learn. This site is a wonderful resource.

Great Thread MistyPetals! I am a newbie veggie gardener too. DG has brought joy to my life, first with Brugs, now with veggies. I've learned so much.. and now I'm into Canning. I've always wanted to can, but never did. I'm so glad I have all the expert "coaches" to resort to... and because of it, I found a new passion. I've always loved to cook in huge quantities, now I get to keep it all. LOL

I harvest my lunch every day.. and it's my favorite time of day..

So many times I wished there was some way to thank everyone for all they have "given" me, but it's impossible.. I do what Grownut does.. check DG, go water, Check DG run errands, check DG etc. etc... I even enjoy just spending time reading old threads! How could I thank someone from a thread back in 2002? LOL
Bless the day Dave created this awesome site.. and Bless everyone for giving so much.

Welcome to the site and zzs's just pay it forward! LOL I've found myself giving canning lessons via the web lately...God bless my MIL and my DH's grandmother, who taught me. And to my own mother who taught me how to use a pressure cooker! It's wonderful to see these "old" skills are coming back around. And with the new and improved tools it makes it even easier and safer to put up your own produce. Plus you know where it came from and what's on it. I found a recipe for freezer pickles on here that is absolutely terrific!!!

I want to add my thanks as well. This my first year growing vegetables
in containers, and I have been so grateful for all the guidance, advice
and suggestions from all you experienced gardeners.

My motive for the veggie gardening was simply to have some safe,
pesticide free tomatoes, bell peppers and yellow squash for my DH
and me. It has been a bigger challenge than I realized simply because
the desert weather is not cooperative. I couldn't plant until early June
because we had unexpected freezes until mid-May. And, of course,
it is dry here,except for the torrential monsoon rains in July. And it is
blazing hot, unless of course it suddenly decides to be overcast and cold.
Then there are the 45 mph canyon winds which whip through here.
There is a reason why most produce sold in New Mexico is imported from
Texas, Mexico and California!

At the moment I have about 19 tomatoes which hopefully will ripen
soon. There are about 10 bell peppers with more forming. And enough
yellow squash that I will be able to share some with neighbors. We will
NOT discuss the cost of containers, soil, plants, fertilizer, and other
items required to establish and maintain this container garden. I did buy a
copy of "The $64 Tomato" by William Alexander to comfort myself. ;-)

You are all such a blessing. Thank you.

June

This IS a great thread and I'm sorry I didn't find it until a few days ago. . . because I feel a bit late with my heartfelt thanks to the helpful gardeners here on DG. You have made all the difference since I joined in 2006, a few months after I moved across the continent to a completely different kind of gardening (Central coast CA to coastal MA). Thank you, thank you, thank you, all of you--both for your endlessly willing assistance and for the welcome you gave this newbie. I've loved the "Beginner's" threads especially.

This is one thing I love about these forums, the wealth of information that is freely shared. Whilst I'm certainly very much a novice in some areas, I'm quite experienced in others, so hopefully I can help others back!

Ah, gosh folks, y'all are so welcome! Did you newbies ever think how much you are adding to the joy of gardening for us who aren't newbies? Getting to share your enthusiasm, ideas, and general goodwill is a blessing for us old, callused, dirt under the fingernails gardeners. Just keep posting, and keep gardening!

CapeCodGardener - Smiling at the thought that an in ground
garden still is not "free".

I have about 2 dozen tomatoes coming along but nowhere
near ready for harvest. We are drooling in anticipation of
our first bacon/lettuce/tomato sandwich!

I too have wanted to say "Thank You" to all of those that take the time to answer questions, share information, stories and photos. Those of you that explain, in great detail, how you do 'yours' have been invaluable. I am not a new gardener but it's been years since we had a veggie garden at home. I let my kids lurk and learn, I rarely chat. But because of you we have a kitchen garden this year at our new house with 38 heirloom tomatoes, a variety of bush and pole beans, strawberries, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, squash, peas and many herbs.

My kids are learning to build soil and care for their small piece of the earth. In turn, taking better care of themselves and sharing the extra with those in need. An added bonus for me is the sense of family, community and pride that we have found. You've helped me raise better children to send off into the world when it comes time.

Glad someone brought this thread up. I've only been on DG for a year. But have been gardening for 50 yrs. Yes, lots of experience but also lots left to learn. The joy of hearing new gardeners with their enthuesasm (sp) and us oldies with equal enthusisam. passing on what we have learned,usually the hard way.can never be expressed adequately.
I imagine it has gone on since someone first planted a seed on purpose.
Gardeners are a breed apart.

I make a point of perusing the Beginners forum specifically looking for the questions I once asked. I smile and remember almost the very moment I asked the very same question. And I smile even more when I'm typing an answer that one of you wonderful people once gave to me! There have been times lately that the first thing I do when I wake up is reach for my BB to see who said what, where, and when, and I say to myself, "you are addicted to Dave's Garden." So, speaking of, where are yah, huh, Dave? YOU planted that very first seed in your garden -- and look what grew. Thank you, Dave! Linda
^_^


This message was edited Jul 7, 2009 11:51 PM