Today I want to talk about the many WWTT (what were they thinking) posts I’ve done here on the blog, and how the premise of WWTT may seem to contradict the subject of my book, Fearless Gardening.
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However, one of my favorite comments on the WWTT series is this one: “I just can't find it in me to criticize especially when I think about all the mistakes I have made over time. They are starting something and even that tiny effort counts.” Exactly. We all make mistakes, doing, trying, experimenting is the important thing.
Weather Diary, Nov 22: Hi 47, Low 34/ Precip .04"
The book’s introduction begins with these words…I want to inspire you to look at plants differently and see your garden through new eyes—to treat gardening as an adventure, to embrace the freedom to explore a new type of plant, and then to plant it just because you want to. Why not surround yourself with plants you love? Who cares if they’re not supposed to be planted together, might eventually crowd each other, or aren’t everyone’s cup of tea? It’s your garden and you should love it; you should be having fun.
Back in 2010 I introduced my WWTT posts with these words: Do you ever find yourself looking at a landscape and wondering “what were they thinking?” …you can see someone really put thought and consideration (as well as time and money) into what you’re looking at, but you just don’t get it. Really, what were they thinking?
I know my neighbors surely wondered what I was thinking, when we removed our front lawn, spread gravel mulch and planted—with mostly small 1-gallon sized pots. I had a plan, but I doubt it was evident. And in fact nature had another plan since this "version" was laid flat by a harsh winter two years later, just as it was finally starting to look like something.
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| Yep, that's my front garden! Back in 2006 |
I finished my first WWTT post with: “They must be having a hell of a time putting this together” and a commenter then wrote: “… I say the same thing you do: if they love doing it, more power to 'em. They're just wavin' their flag a little higher than others. Awesome.”
Over the years the WWTT posts have inspired a lively conversation and I’ve been amazed at the things people respond favorably too, like this method of trimming of a phormium I ran across in the Bay Area, proving there is no right way to garden...
My own garden has been the subject of a few WWTT posts (photo below for example) and as I wrote on one of them;“I think WWTT moments exist in all of us, at least those who are engaged with our gardens.”
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| This seemed like a good idea at the time... |
What constitutes a good garden (or a great plant) is different for everyone, after all, there is no right way to garden. It's also important (I feel) to recognize part of gardening fearlessly is accepting that not everyone is going to like what you create—they may even ask What Were You Thinking?—and that's okay. It get's the conversation started!
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All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.