Gardening can be very addictive once you start and it is even more fun when you try new things.
My gardening journey was started by a very dear friend of mine when she moved into her first home - her enthusiasm was catching and before I knew it, I was taking cuttings and plants from her to put into my own new garden.
Yes, I had some failures, but on the whole, there were many successes.
The bug had bitten me and it is still with me - wherever I have lived, I have made a garden and that is a nice thought.
My gardening knowledge was fine tuned some years ago when I ran the Nurserymen's Association in the Western Cape.
It was here that I mixed with wholesale plantsmen and retailers and especially one nurseryman who is sadly no longer with us, but he was known as the most knowledgeable nuseryman in the Cape.
He was my mentor and he really "grilled" me - for which I am forever grateful.
One of the lessons he taught me, was to try new things in my garden as that was how I would learn which plants would do well.
I ran with this as like most gardeners, we see a beautiful plant and immediately want it.
I still am like this and love to try new things in the garden - and yes, not everything is a success, but it does not daunt me in the least.
I tried growing peas for the first time this year and they produced well, but due to the lack of space, I was not able to plant enough - so, I shall not plant them again - but at least I know how easy they are to grow.
Everyone should try planting new things - it is fun and can often turn into a resounding success.
