How much time do you spend gardening?

I spend a lot of time gardening. My seeds are going now, I check them out about 2-3 times a day. Constantly taking care of houseplants and when I'm able to plant outside, I'll be out there all summer. If I don't have anything to do involving my garden, I'll start a new project (or chat about it on DG), go shopping for plants, go work in my mom's garden, and so-on. Just wondering how many gardeners spend almost all their 'free time' gardening? ^_^

I spend more time IDing and finding info on the few plants I do have. I'd say I spend more time on DG than actually in the yard:)

That's funny. I made another post wondering if I could pull myself away from DG long enough to actually get out in the yard lol

For me it just depends. Right now there's only so much I can work on. In a month or so when things really start swinging I'll spend most of my down time in the garden, working or just relaxing, bbqing, all that. Can't wait to go swimming this summer too.

I just bought a new 4" geranium and while looking through my different pots, I couldn't help but think- plants used to be in all these and now they are empty.LOL
I now try to find out as much info I can before I start playing with them. I quess you can say "research". I've had more plants that I've killed then live ones. But if ever I get one I've had before I will maybe(hopefully) do better.
I wish it came natural, it's still fun though.

XmelissaX,cant decide what iam jonesing for the most ,to dig in the dirt or get on my motorcycle,this time of year it is a toss up !!! i spend a lottttt of time in my gardens,love it,love it

This is too funny, I was just out there looking at all the little wintersown seedlings and realizing there is nothing to do today, too early to plant out, not a good day to sow, thinking, what garden thing can I find to do today? Already googled the seeds I am starting for the first time, already set the chamomile sun tea out there for next watering...........

This is a dangerous mood, sometimes when it gets like this I end up online buying things like seeds or tools, LOL!

I spend all my free, disposable time on gardening-related activities: actively gardening, reading gardening books/magazines, on line with DG or other garden sites, ordering plants/seeds. Gardening is my passion ^_^

Gardening is my joy, I spend several hours a day with something related to the garden, like Hemophobic, and wish I had more time & energy.

I lay in bed at night and mentally rearrange my garden as I fall asleep. Of course, everything is perfect!

I could spend every waking hour outside. Be it digging in the dirt...or soil as I've learned is the 'proper' word...being country myself I guess I'll always say dirt though...putting in new plants...or even just pulling weeds. I simply love it.

Last year was my first attempt at trying to grow anything. I have quickly become addicted. I can't imagine not enjoying this for the rest of my life.

During the winter months...I studied every site I could find...just learning all I could about the plants that I have...and the ones that I want to grow. I planned new beds in my mind and I'm happy to say that they are going into place quiet well!

Just today I have been outside raking and hoeing in what I hope will turn out to be a veggie garden.

I guess that would be my answer...every waking available moment!

nogreen, I hear you ,I cant get enough DIRT under my fingernails,and there is never enough time in a day to get my fix ,no matter how tired iam , i still want to do more.and just be a patient gardner,that was my biggest mistake starting out 30 yrs ago,not giving things enough time to get going,then moving them ,iam now a patient gardner,too bad we live far apart,i have sooo many plants to share.grreat green luck to you !!!

Nogreen: I agree wholeheartedly! I love playing in the dirt and getting my hands dirty. Left town for 2 days and came back home to 3 plant orders that have arrived! Now it's raining cats and dogs, thundering and lightning and I'm back to work Monday, so I'm not sure when these will get in the ground. My patio table is absolutely covered with plants that I WS'd and have now potted up for putting out in the garden, so I've got enough work for a solid week ahead of me. I love it!

Angie

When the sun is out and warm, will do about 1 hr. a day. Have a back problem so limit heavy work. Just take my time and enjoy it !
A little a day adds up at end of the week!

huggergirl- I seem to have the problem you had so long ago. I'm not patient enough with mine. Lost a whole bunch to that:( How'd you learn to be "patient"? Elizabeth

ejennings,just resist the urge to move it,you might be trying to move things too far into the season,I still have a hard time wanting to move things late,but I tell myself it will die then you will be mad !!!

When I open the door of what I call my "garden apartment", I see what is in the attached photo. Now that the platforms are built, the stackable containers stacked, and the automatic watering system installed, there is much less work to be done. My goal is to do all my gardening with very little stooping or bending and no heavy lifting. Even propagation is taking place on these grow poles. For instance, in one pole I have planted 5 seeds in each of the poles 16 plant sites. When those seeds germinate and get to transplant size, I will prick them out and use them to plant 4 more poles, all without bending over or doing any heavy lifting. It is not that I am lazy but this body is oler'n dirt, beat up, battered, often injured and ready for some easy gardening. Let the good times roll. :-) I still spend quite a bit of time out there sniffing the flowers and listening to them grow. I even carry on some interesting conversations with them now and then.......when ain't nobody looking or listening.

My favorite garden sign,sums it up for me."Never Enough Thyme In The Garden" Edge

Good one!

huggergirl- I keep telling myself the same thing, don't move. It has been working- hard- but it's working. Does it get any easier? LOL

ejennings, or maybe Ive just convinced myself that it gets easier,to resist ,well we will see ,ask me again in september. !!!

Wow Jay!! What a setup! Also have a back problem and bending is tough...I make a hole with my trusty 'ole' spade ( sharp edge ) then drop plant in and adjust with the spade...works out well...did find out that an 'auger' attached to a drill is the way to plant bulbs.!! Am going to try this in the fall, need to put in tall daffodils!!
20's last night in MA and was frigid cold wind yesteday!

jaywacker,nice job,cant wait to see it in full bloom,its going to be beautiful,more pictures will be required !!!!

I mostly vegetable garden in containers, so in the spring and fall I practically live in the garden. Once the summer veggies are transplanted in May, I spent only 30-60 mins a day until fall harvest and clean up begins in September.

Am checking into the 'auger' to put into drill for bulb planting!! Mentioned it to someone and they had one, will donate it to me!!
Plan to plant tall daffodils this fall..

I'd stand there and watch my plants with my watering can in hand waiting for them to need water if life permitted such a thing :P

I'm with huggergirl, not enough time to garden or ride. I have to go out tomorrow and replace mulch/saw dust around the log I planted. Then off to a ride in concert in the next county. Lord only knows what I'll find to do in the beds Sunday. Oh almost forgot I got a ph tester a few days ago, I,ll put it to work this week end also. Will probably find some soil adjustments to make. I wonder can you get a tiller attachment for a motor cycle????

Good Morning all and hope all your seedlings are well...I ended ordering the augers on internet. Did not get the drill, already have one. Will tell you how well it all works. Did end up costing about $40 just for augers.
I usually spend about 6 hrs. a wk in gardening. I space it out during the week with breaks to rest the 'ole' back. It is going well...
Plants in collapsible greenhouse are doing well. First time to use one and am happy with it. It's not heated so when weather goes below 40 I cover the plants with lightweight plastic sheets. Works well. I see the $$$$ for plants and feel I have saved enough to warrant the cost of the greenhouse, and next yr. will save more...
Happy planting all! ::) Geraldine

I'm older than dirt like jaywacker. My gardening now consists of everything possible in large containers that i can still move around. Most of my daylillys are in containers now as well as annuals.

My SIL broke up a place for me to plant a few veggies so this year i've got tomatoes ,peppers and cukes.

I have to do things slowly so more than half of my few hours outside daily are spent resting sitting and looking.
Course when it rains as it has been doing so much lately, i get online. Also when i can't sleep as now.

Way to go Cando!!

Well, I finished planting all my established gardens,I plant a lot of annuals in with my perinnials,since a wk ago friday Ive put around 50hrs in,most likley more,but everything looks great. NOW ITS TIME TO RIDE,execpt its spose too %^**&%# RAIN!!!!!! ARRGGG!!!!!!!

Hello everyone! Hope you don't mind if I jump in.
May is the busiest month of gardening for me here in Western New York. I do start seeds in a little portable green house in April and believe me....I do get carried away!! I have so many seedlings and varieties that it takes all of May to get them in the ground. Once that is finished, including a small vegetable garden, and weeding my perennial beds, I spend about 2 hours a week all summer long mostly weeding, watering and fertilizing. I have plenty of time to stop and smell the roses. My favorite time is strolling around the yard with a cup of coffee early in the morning feeling satisfied with myself and enjoying the fruits of my labor. I am in my early sixties and every new year I say I will cut down on the gardening but I never do. I guess its what keeps me going so as long as I can still kneel and bend anyway.
I have been addicted to gardening since I was 16 years old after visiting my older cousin and seeing her beautiful gardens.
Today I am off to the nursery to buy a few things for my window boxes like vinca. I bet I come home with more than vinca vine!!

lakedust,you sound like me ,coffee,camera,spade,seed,iam going to have to wear a tool belt,when I take my stroll !!! I just took another stroll,coffe in hand ,camera too!! yesterday I finished planting all of the plants i started under lights this year,1st time had great luck,I love it,like you said i really like to stand back and enjoy the fruits of my labor.cant wait till everything really takes off.

Beautiful combination for Memorial Day !!

geraldine,oh my ,you have a great eye,never even crossed my mind !!!! Thank You. i just took that one few min. ago !!!!

Thats funny huggergirl! I can see me in the toolbelt walking around the yard! Especially in my housecoat!! Sometimes I go out there so early no one in the neighborhood is up yet. My place is pretty secluded and private anyway. I also have a very friendly stray cat that adopted me and she follows me all around the yard like a puppy. Well I'm off to the plant nursery!

Oh one more thing huggergirl, your yard looks beautiful. I have a lot of slopes and banks in my yard too. I think it adds so much more character to a yard when its not totally flat. Years ago I lived in a flat area and I had an old tractor so I made mounds and valleys with the front bucket. Everyone thought I was nuts including my hubby but when all the rocks , trees and plants were in place they loved it. Happy gardening!

lakedust,Thats why iam glad we live in the country ,between the scaredo,and what ever ugly clothes i have on , iam goin outside !!!!!dont buy too much !!!! iam going up to wash my motorcycle.

Wow....we sound like twins! I have a regular bike instead of a motorcycle though. I agree with living in the country. I was raised in the inner city and when I first was married at age 26 I moved to a small farm. Been in the country since and never will go back. My family is still in the city and I am about a 30 minute drive south of Buffalo but when they come over they complain about driving so far and that I live out in the Boondocks! They are a bit disfunctional I've noticed.
I was pretty good at the nursery. I bought another clematis for my back porch trellis, 6 brocolli plants to finish the veggie garden, vinca for 2 window boxes and begonias for a pot on the shady part of the porch. Total spent....35 dollars. Not too bad!
I wish I could share pictures but something is wrong with the Outlook Express. It will download the pics from my camera into the computer but it won't email them. I called the Geek Squad at Best Buy and they want 150 dollars to come to the house to fix it. I don't dare take the computer to them.....I'll never be able to set it up again once I remove the hundred cords!!

I love to garden and spend as much time as possible. I love Jayhawker's set up. The concept of no-bending is great. When I work in my flowers I have an old metal milkcrate I sit on. I inherited it from my Mom. It sure saves on the back. I move rocks around in my garden to create the look I want. We have several little lizards that like to sun theirselves on them too. They have to be quick about it or a chicken is liable to have a little snack. Poor little lizards. They look like little green chameleons, their colors change, also have bluetailed lizards. Frogs in the little ponds, goldfish too.
Lakedust, my husband has the cords on theback of my computer numbered and it is so much easier to hook back up. Good luck on your computer, need the computer to help garden too. Love to find strange plants to try, like many of you, I have more dead than living but it is interesting to keep trying.