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As a child I had my first experience with gardening when around age 9 someone gave me a book called 'Down to Earth Vegetable Gardening' by Dick Raymond. (I still have the book). After reading that book, I dreamed of growing my own vegetable garden. With the help of my dad, we grew tomatoes, peppers, squash, corn, lettuce, and beans. We grew vegetables for several years until the distractions of high school appeared on the scene. In addition to the vegetable garden, I would also help my mother with her annual flower gardens. We planted ageratum, marigolds, alyssum, coleus, dusty miller, impatiens, and of course, geraniums in some half whiskey barrels around our back yard deck. I will always treasure the memories of gardening with my mom and dad and thank them for introducing me to such a wonderful hobby.

In 1992, I got back into gardening after high school, college and grad school when we moved into our very own house. We built our house on an oversized plot of land which immediately needed a lot of work to get it looking good after the building process. The year after building, we traveled to England which gave me so many ideas. I was so taken by all the perennial borders and gardens I decided to incorporate more perennials in our landscape.

Our property is located in a section of town that is known as 'Graniteville'. We have many sections of granite ledge that appear as outcroppings in the landscape were perfect for rock gardening. I quickly fell in love with all types of sedum varieties (over 50 varieties) in addition to other rock garden favorites such as perennial geraniums, lavenders, and dwarf conifers. In addition to the rock gardens, I have added annual border gardens containing cutting annuals such as the large flowered zinnias (approximately 20 varieties), cosmos, bachelor buttons, celosia, ageratums, and painted tongues. In other gardens I grow non cutting annuals such as marigolds (approx 16 varieties) and impatiens. The cutting annuals provide materials for fresh bouquets that I enjoy bringing inside and making and giving to family and friends. Recently I have begun to get back into vegetable gardening. I presently grow 10 different tomato varieties in containers (hybrids and heirlooms).

Each year we keep expanding and adding to our gardens. It is certainly a labor of love. Some people have commented that it must take so much time and effort. It does in fact... but it is worth it! Gardening provides me with great exercise and a chance to relax outside after working in an office setting all day.

In addition to gardening, I enjoy traveling, antiques, silk flower arranging, interior decorating, and crafts.