Why I Don’t Keep Things Simple

Gardening Advice for the Real World

In the world of gardening, there’s no shortage of advice—often oversimplified and occasionally a bit misleading. You've probably seen headlines like "5 Easy Plants to Grow" or "Garden in 10 Minutes a Day!" And while I get the appeal of simple, quick fixes, here's the reality: gardening isn’t simple, and it shouldn’t be.

I’ve spent 30 years gardening, am a Master Gardener here in Connecticut, and I’m deeply involved with my local garden club and as a professional in horticulture and garden design. Over all these years, I’ve done a lot of experimenting and learned a ton by trying things out in my own garden. I’ve found that while there are some guidelines to follow, gardening is a lot more flexible than we’re often told.

A lot of the standard advice out there is overly rigid, and much of it doesn’t always work in every situation. Some tips are outdated, others feel like they’re more rooted in tradition than practical experience, and some are just plain myths. It’s important to approach gardening with a mindset of flexibility and experimentation.

Why I’m Not Here to “Dumb Things Down”

It’s easy to see the appeal of simplified advice—the kind that says “just plant this and water that.” But if you’ve been gardening for a while, you know that things aren’t always that simple. While some gardening tips are perfectly solid, others are based on outdated information or are just too doctrinaire to be helpful in the long run.

Take, for example, the standard advice about sun exposure. We’ve all heard that certain plants need “full sun,” meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. And sometimes, yes, that’s absolutely correct. But in many cases, you’ll find that plants are more adaptable than we give them credit for. You can grow a lot of plants in less-than-ideal conditions, and they’ll be perfectly happy. I’ve had plants thrive in areas with less sun or in soil that doesn’t meet the “ideal” specifications. It’s about working with the conditions you have, not just following rigid rules.

The Real Truth About Gardening

Through years of experimenting, I’ve learned that gardening is about adaptability. It’s not about blindly following rules. Some advice—like when to prune certain shrubs or how to space your plants—is pretty solid. But much of it leaves out the nuances, the things that truly matter when you’re working with live, growing things that have a mind of their own.

For example, there’s plenty of advice out there that says you have to “plant in well-drained soil” for a plant to thrive. That’s a good rule of thumb, but there’s more to the story. If you learn how to amend your soil or choose the right plant for your environment, you can make less-than-ideal soil work. The key is knowing how to adjust and problem-solve as you go.

The Dangers of “One-Size-Fits-All” Advice

I get why gardening advice is often simplified—it’s easier to digest and share. But in my experience, gardening isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. The plants in your garden will grow differently than mine because our conditions—sun, soil, water—are different. And just because something worked for someone else doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for you.

That’s why I don’t believe in oversimplifying things. Instead, I focus on practical advice based on real-world experimentation. I’ll tell you about the times I’ve broken the rules, the times I’ve made mistakes, and the times I’ve learned something new that completely changed how I approach my garden.

What You Can Expect Here

If you’re looking for the latest “quick fix” or a set of rules that promise to make your garden perfect with minimal effort, this may not be the place for you. But if you’re ready for honest, thoughtful gardening advice, based on years of experience and hands-on experimentation, then welcome. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Practical tips that come from real-life experience, not just theory.

• A flexible approach to gardening that recognizes the uniqueness of every garden.

• Insights into why things work (or don’t work), so you can make informed decisions.

• Strategies for adapting to the challenges that every gardener faces, from soil issues to unpredictable weather.

Gardening isn’t about following a set of hard and fast rules. It’s about understanding the conditions you have, experimenting with what works for you, and adjusting as needed. I’m here to help you navigate that process—no gimmicks, no oversimplified advice.

So, if you’re looking for gardening advice that’s down-to-earth and grounded in reality, stick around. I’m here to give you the tools to deal with the complexities—and make your garden thrive.