The month of May brought many projects to me. An unexpected bathroom remodel due to a water leak, a huge deadline at work that had me working crazy hours, and 3 water leaks in the sprinkler system. (This house has water karma, I’m just sayin’.)
But all of those challenges were eclipsed by the fun I had hosting our monthly Design a Go Go for Austin Garden Bloggers yesterday! What an amazing group of people make up the Austin gardening clan. Fun, friendly, and generous with knowledge, ideas and passalong plants. I wish I could show you what it looked like with 16 gardeners running around, but of course in my excitement I didn’t take a single photo. So use your imagination, and I’ll bet even that won’t be as great as it really was.
The garden at least looked polished from the new mulch I discovered that has a lovely black color and fine texture. Let’s don’t mention that I was out there the night before the party putting it in because of my crazy schedule. (No wonder it looked so fresh and clean, right?)
The most wonderful part of the day, besides the great friends and the cool metal grasshopper from Bob at Draco, was knowing that my challenging areas are not uncommon to other gardeners. I always consider myself to be rather inept when it comes to plants (I know how many I’ve killed over the years, and put them where they didn’t want to be, and moved them from place to place trying to find a solution, and kicking myself for buying tender delicate plants that are oh,so,pretty and on and on)…so it felt good to know that areas that get afternoon sun only are challenging for many Austin gardeners.
My thanks goes out to all of you who came, and I hope to see ya’ll next month! This is an enjoyable social event with benefits for everyone to share knowledge, enjoy a gardening gathering, and gain inspiration from everyone else’s ideas. Austin Bloggers rule!
Getting Grounded 
Austin bloggers DO rock. Thanks for the treats and hospitality, Robin. Your garden looked great! It’s hard to believe you need help with any of it. But yeah, afternoon sun does seem to be the trickiest exposure, doesn’t it?
It’s amazing how the sun impacts our world in so many ways, Pam. Thanks for your ideas and company!
I’m so sorry I missed it! But your garden looks wonderful, despite your crazy schedule. You’ve got it down, girl.
Linda, I would have loved to see your smiling face. I think a good time was had by all…at least I hope so!
Thoroughly enjoyed my first “Go-Go”; great to meet the people behind the blogs. Thanks for sharing your garden – I know we’re supposed to help find you solutions, but I think I’ll end up with more ideas from your garden than for your garden!
Ronny, it was so great to meet you. I’m glad you wrote, because I didn’t know how to contact you…I was just today bragging about the cool plant you swapped to me – the Perilla Magilla. I’ve been reading about it and I can’t wait for it to grow! It’s already in a pot and I’ll be looking for its favorite part sun spot in my yard. Thanks again.
Robin, sorry I couldn’t make it. Sounds like it was a great gathering. I still have some white tradescantia with your name on it if you want more.
oh, Renee, I do want some, you are a sweetie! Perhaps my world will come to more of a reasonable routine and I can plan a trip to your place soon. Thanks!
It was wonderful to spend the afternoon in your garden, delighting in all the great plant combos and special places throughout. It’s so interesting to get others’ perspectives, isn’t it? I appreciate your hospitality, and I, too, learned several things while milling about. As you continue to get ideas in, I hope you find some inspiration that brings that front bed together just the way you want it to be.
Thank you for the kind words, Diana. I’m starting to get some ideas now from the thoughts dropping in from various places. I’ll be busy in the fall!
What a fun meeting, Your garden is lovely and is a testament to all your hard work. The neighbors must delight as they walk and drive by your house. The bonus of a great meeting was to come home with some new plants. You know me, never turn anything down.
Jenny, I understand. If someone is giving out passalongs and any are left over, I’ll always speak up and give them a try. Thank you for visiting, and I’m definitely looking forward to visiting your garden next month!
Robin, I hope the bad water karma is a thing of the past! The Design A Go Go sounds like great fun.
Cindy, it WAS a blast. Sorry you weren’t here!
this is a test!
test back to ya!