Monkeys Garden

I have always been a nature lover, ever since I was a child visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains with my parents. I have always loved being near nature, and when I couldn’t be in nature, I have always brought it into my home. I have always been exposed to gardening in one form or another as well, from my mother’s landscaping to Uncle Buck’s working farm. Given all that, it should come as no surprise that gardening, in one form or another, has become one of my passions in life.

While I was exposed to growing a lot of vegetables and fruit as a child, and can still remember recommendations I overhead like when chicken honey should be applied vs cow manure, my first and foremost love has been scented flowering plants. From Gardenias to Brassavolas, Lilacs to Plumerias, Daturas to Miltonias, I have had them all at one point or another. I mentioned two different orchids as I spent the better part of the 90s with one bedroom converted into a greenhouse for a large orchid collection, where I grew as many different types of scented orchids as I could find. The colors, shapes & scents were just out of this world, and being able to steward these amazing creatures was an honor I am still proud of today.

When living in California in a house I was able to expand my gardening to the outside and began growing Gardenias, Orange & Lemon trees, palms, lilies & herbs. When I later moved to Germany in the early 2000s, it took a bit of adjusting to the higher cost of electricity and water, as well as the cooler climate and different light, in what I could care for at home. The most enjoyable aspect for it me is that it has forced me to learn how to be efficient in growing plants. This in turn has led me to return to using as many natural and organic solutions as possible.

Then, in the spring of 2008, I got a surprise in the form of an allotment garden! My roommate got control of an allotment about a 15 minute walk from our apartment where she could grill out. It had not been tended in over 2 years, so I did not know what to expect. Well, when I arrived I found a small orchard, terraced beds, brambles … basically a ready-to-go, just-add-seed garden! I had been needing a better outlet for gardening, as every windowsill in the apartment was full of plants (even some of the tables were being encroached upon!) and as I already had problems with the rising costs (monetary and otherwise) of buying non-local produce, I decided this was the answer to all my problems! ;-) Through accident I found this site at about the same time as we got the garden, so I have been able to combine this passion with two others (computers & macro photography) and share with others what I am now caring for and learning.

Well, I’m sure that’s enough rambling for now. Hope you enjoy all the gardens and plants!