The dead flower project 🌸

The Dead Flower Project:

The spring that I got pregnant… In fact, the year that I was pregnant was one of the toughest years of my life. Mentally, life seemed to be draining. Time after time, something was going wrong. As a family, we were faced with defeat that seemed almost impossible to get through. (Maybe when I have the courage, I will type a full blog about my pregnancy, but that’s not this…)

When they took me out of work, and bowling it seemed like my time was being wasted. As most of you know, I am a hard worker and a go getter. My strength, passion and motivation have always been a strong suite. I was never the type to sit around and watch TV. Even when I am not feeling well I find it very difficult to set down and “veg out”.

Now, one would believe pregnancy would slow me down a little bit…right? Well, it didn’t. In fact, I felt myself more inclined to do things because I had the time. My two jobs weren’t consuming the majority of the hours of my day, and bowling wasn’t filling my nights or weekends. I gave lessons until I was 38 weeks. Still, there always seemed to be a void. During that time, I even painted murals on my daughter’s wall (Disney characters; Yeah… another post for another time…). This extra time allowed me to explore a new challenge that I have always wanted to begin, and that’s gardening.

My mom has always had a green thumb. I would admire her flourished garden, the pretty colors, and the divine smells that seemed to dance across her yard. The smooth water trickle from the pond she had built (by hand) was relaxing. Her grass, perfectly cut, crisp, and green in color like you would see in a painting. I decided to start researching it.

One morning, I set sail to my local home improvement store garden center. I had learned from online that cooperate garden centers weren’t the best place to get quality shrubbery, but none the less with a baby on the way it fit the budget. I searched through the aisles, surrounded by plants, trees, and flowers of all varieties. I checked out different rock and soil to accessorize my dream garden. I found little mushrooms and gnomes to provide enchantment. My cart was filled with all of the things I felt would complete this project.

Earlier that year… I created a back patio from some ones used boat ramp that I had found on craigslist for free. Within a weekend, it was standing. I kept thinking to myself how beautiful it would be to surround the patio in those colorful flowers. I dreamed about looking out of my kitchen window and seeing the beautiful sight of the garden. As I approached the front of the line, I looked to my left and saw a cart full of dying plants. They were all marked clearance. I couldn’t help but feel sad that they would never find a home.

So, I double checked the price tag….;)…. .25 cents was a heck of a steal, so I bought them all. In the car I didn’t have too much hope for these little guys. They seemed so lifeless. They were clearly un kept, dry and their roots had out grown their planters. I picked up a few planters from the dollar tree, and an extra bag of soil (Don’t get the cheap brand, the miracle grow brand is worth the extra .40 cents believe me). 

When I got home, I got straight to work. I began creating the garden that I had dreamt about. The mulch I had picked seemed to match accordingly with my house shutters. The flowers bounced around the curves of my yard with flair. I was happy. As my work came to a close, I noticed I had left the dead flowers on the porch. After dinner, I began repotting them and watering them. I ensured that I was going to place them in the sunniest spot in my yard. I had done my research and most of them required a good amount of sunlight. I went to bed, with my hopes held high.

Each morning, I would get up and water the plants. Every time I watered them, I felt some type of success. The plants became my babies. I would water them three times a day, even if they looked a little dry. I would get compliments from neighbors up and down the street that they had never seen such a beautiful garden in our neighborhood. It was a good feeling. I treated the “clearance” flowers as I treated the others. They needed the same attention. With each passing day, they began to grow. 

I was so excited when the first sprout popped up! The more they grew the happier I had gotten. By the end of the season, they had bloomed multiple times. There was only one of the dozens I had purchased that never grew flowers. Still, it had a beautiful set of green leaves perched in its place holder. When I started explaining it to my mom, and a few friends they all started doing the same thing I was. They went and purchase plants that were just doomed to be thrown out.  

****Plants are living organisms, they do not belong in the trash. If they are at the end of their life cycle, compost them and make mulch or soil for the following year. I can’t tell you the countless time where I see plants at the curbside…. ******

If given the chance, you can do absolutely anything you set your mind and priorities too. When I saw those little lifeless plants in the store, I knew all they needed was a chance. They weren’t going to be anyone’s first pick, but with a little extra time and effort they blossomed into a beautiful spring showing that I enjoyed all season.

Life lesson: Success beings the moment you decide to give an effort.

As always,

Artistically yours

Current Garden Update: This year, I will be working on my garden as well. Since this process became a part of my life, I lost my doggie girl. I have added a memorial garden in her honor.