Maybe yes, maybe no

I spent the weekend in southern Indiana visiting family and friends. I had a great time catching up on current events and reminiscing about past ones. There was only one tiny downside: Everywhere I went, people were either asking me to install a garden for them or they were apologizing for what they considered to be their own 'inferior' gardening attempts.

I tried to discourage the first group and encourage the second.

In my opinion, anyone who asks someone else to install a garden for them is not a gardener. They may desire a beautiful landscape, but they have no interest in the plants that create it. They view them the same way they view a bench or a fountain -- as props used for effect.

But plants are more than props. They are living things. They require food and water and a safe environment. They require time and attention. And lots of it.

Group one would be better off hiring a designer, a landscape contractor and a maintenance crew.

Group two is a bit different. All they really need is someone to fan a flame that's already been lit. They've tried their hand at growing something and, even though their results may have been less than perfect, they're still excited about what they're going to do differently next season.

I love that!

And since I've had lots of experience at learning what works and what doesn't, I'm always happy to share with them.

So, here's my advice for both groups of gardeners: If you love it, just keep doing it. If you don't love it, stop. (How profound is that?)

Gardening is hard work. It's expensive and time consuming and unpredictable. But if it stirs your passion for creating, or if it just plain satisfies your soul, dive in and do it with both hands.

It'll be worth it. Guaranteed.