Welcome to The Negligent Gardener.
I’ve been growing and killing plants for decades. In fact, I’ve been told that I am negligent with my plants which is the reason that my husband told me years ago that I should be called The Negligent Gardener. And a community was born…
I started growing plants by trial and error. Only the toughest ones survived my abuse. After all, don’t we all have busy lives? It just so happened that my first houseplants to thrive were amaryllis. They are very forgiving plants and almost do better with a little neglect. When I planted a vegetable garden for the first time, we were living in Connecticut where plants can grow inches almost overnight. That was when I found that plants can survive even when you can’t get out there to weed every day. Maybe the weeds didn’t help but I was still able to harvest many vegetables. And you can too.
You will also see many articles about harvesting, preserving, and eating what we’ve grown on our little half acre lot which sits in USDA Zone 4 at about 5,000 feet in the shadow of the Montana mountains. Our weather can be challenging to say the least, and our soil is not optimal for a lot of plants, but what I want you to know is that, even against these odds, you can successfully grow fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Over the years, gardening has become my lifeline. I have a full-time job, just like the rest of you. (Check out my other life at https://theaegisarray.com/). If life is stressful, I know that I have my plants to keep me active, occupy my mind, and soothe my soul.
I know that gardening can do the same for you, too, but you have to start somewhere. I’m here to suggest the best way to start, show you others who are imperfect gardeners and still have lovely plants, and encourage you to get your hands in the dirt!
Let me show you my mistakes, my successes, my partial successes, and help you along your own journey in your home garden. Whether your love is growing in containers or in the ground; whether your interest is in flowers or food; I’m there for you every step of the way.
If you ever need a hand or have any questions, feel free to leave them below and I will be more than happy to help you out.
All the best,
Kerry, aka The Negligent Gardener
Love your blog Kerry!
I’m a vegetable and flower assassin myself, with a lot of weed followers. I can’t grow anything inside or out. I either drown them in water or starve them of nutrients. I got the link to your site from a tweet by your husband so you can blame him.
Ah, David, it is a balancing act, isn’t it? I kill my plants with negligence by not watering them enough. I’ve learned that less water is sometimes a good thing so most of my plants can tolerate drought. And you know, some weeds have pretty flowers also. Sometimes I say that I cultivate my weeds but when I get in the mood I rip them out mercilessly.
Thank you so much for visiting the site, David. I hope you stay in touch and let me know about your progress with your murderous gardening ways! I’m glad my husband sent you the link!
Kerry