Hi, I’m Pauline! Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I’m thrilled to share my adventures as a home gardener. Through my brand, Green Thumbed, I aim to cultivate a community that appreciates the simple yet profound joys of nurturing life from the soil.
For me, life blooms a little brighter when we take the time to slow down, dig into the earth, and watch nature work its magic. My journey with gardening is one of growth—not just of plants, but of my mind and soul. It’s a philosophy, a way of living, where I find connection with the earth and others who share this passion.
Green Thumbed is more than just a blog; it’s a celebration of life’s simple pleasures. I believe in sharing the triumphs, challenges, and everyday wonders that come from growing with nature. Here, I invite you to join me in this pursuit, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or curious to start your own green adventure.
My story is deeply rooted in personal tales of transformation, patience, and little victories. Come with me on this journey as I share more about how gardening became my haven and my longtime love in the next section, ‘Journey Through My Garden.’
Journey Through My Garden
Gardening is my happy place, and it didn’t take long for me to fall head over heels for it. It all started with a small patch of land and a handful of seeds. Watching those seeds blossom into vibrant flowers and lush vegetables was akin to witnessing a miracle unfold right before my eyes.
I’ve always believed that gardening is more than a hobby; it’s a way to stay grounded and mindful. Whether it’s the rhythmic task of tilling soil or the anticipation of seeing new buds, each moment in the garden brings tranquility and introspection.
Through the seasons, from the first daffodils in spring to the bounty of a summer vegetable harvest, I’ve found both peace and purpose. The garden is my sanctuary—a place where I can unwind, refocus, and appreciate the simple beauty of nature.
As you get to know more about me, you’ll understand why gardening isn’t just an activity to me; it’s a vital expression of who I am. Whether I’m planting colorful blossoms or tending to my leafy greens, each experience in the garden adds to my story. Speaking of stories, what keeps my love for gardening flourishing isn’t just the planting, but also the incredible sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that comes from nurturing life’s delicate cycle. In the next section, you’ll see ‘Why I Love Gardening’, where I delve into the choices and philosophies driving my green endeavors.
Why I Love Gardening
Gardening isn’t just about planting things in the ground—it’s a reflection of patience and care that’s mirrored in our lives. Each sprout is a testament to nurturing hope and celebrating small victories. The first bud after a cold winter, or the taste of a fresh tomato from my garden, offers a profound sense of joy and accomplishment.
What I love most is the cycle of nature; it teaches me to embrace change and find beauty in every stage. These experiences make gardening more than a pursuit—it’s an ongoing narrative I’m part of. It’s a slow dance with nature, where every season is different, yet equally rewarding.
For me, growing my own herbs and vegetables isn’t just about self-sufficiency—though that’s a wonderful bonus! It’s about feeling deeply connected to the food I consume and appreciating the labor of love that goes into each meal.
Gardening allows me to literally and metaphorically cultivate patience. It has taught me to savor the small successes and weather the challenges, reminding me that every setback is just a stepping stone to something greater. It infuses a simplicity into life that’s both calming and grounding.
Ready to share a piece of this passion with you, I invite you to connect with me not just over plants, but stories and experiences, in the next section. Explore ‘Beyond the Blossoms’ to discover how these garden practices extend into my everyday life and thrive beyond the garden gates.
Beyond the Blossoms
Life outside the garden is an extension of the same love for nature and nurturing that I find among the plants. At the end of a fulfilling day spent gardening, there’s nothing like enjoying a glass of wine with fellow gardeners, where we exchange stories of successes and lessons from the day’s endeavors.
You’ll also often find me engrossed in my collection of gardening books, always on the lookout for new insights that can inspire my next planting season. Whether rain or shine, I’m there on my deck, soaking in the sights and sounds of nature.
When I’m not nurturing my garden, I’m out exploring the natural world—camping, hiking, or finding peace in a serene canoe ride on the lake. These activities recharge my spirit and deepen my appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us all.
I’m eager to connect with people who have a shared enthusiasm for gardening or are curious to start their green journey. Feel free to reach out via email, social media, or through my contact form. I’m always up for swapping tips, sharing stories, or chatting about our favorite plants.
No matter where you’re gardening or nature pursuits take you, remember that it’s all about the journey and connections we make along the way. Let’s grow together and celebrate the wonders of nature.
Hi, Pauline, your story feels calm and full of life. I could almost smell the earth while reading it. Gardening became my quiet teacher too when life felt uncertain. Watching seeds grow reminded me that small steps, taken with care, bring beauty in time. I ever loved planting seeds since I was a kid until 2012-2016 when I stopped farming because I moved to a city where I have no land to work on. But I still want to plant things whenever I can.
I like how you described gardening as a reflection of the soul. It’s true; when we care for the soil, it cares for us in return. Do you have a favorite plant that mirrors your journey or personality? As the saying goes, “The tree that bends with the wind never breaks in the storm.” and I think this relates to your story. Keep sharing your stories because they might bless your readers as they blessed me.
John
Hello John and thank you for such a positive comment. I am very pleased that you gained so much from my article. I do feel like I “come alive” when I am gardening. It is something I did with my father as a child, but when life got “busy”, I didn’t garden. I always felt like there was balance missing from my life, and when I started gardening again, life was better. My kids joke that I spend more time in my garden than with them. There may be some truth in that, but you must know, they are young adults and don’t require my attention as much!
On my very first Mother’s Day, my parents gave me the most beautiful, deep purple Clematis vine plant. I have had it now for 24+ years, and it blooms beautifully every year. This is my favorite plant/flower as it holds such significands for me. Most Mother’s Days it is early into blooming and looks so pretty. Now that both my parents are gone, it reminds me of them as they gifted me the plant. I have had to transplant it over the years, and still, it grows and blooms beautifully each year.
I do hope you read some of articles about gardening in small spaces and vertical gardening. Maybe you will be drawn back to gardening, on a smaller scale!
Thank you again!
Hi Pauline
This is a lovely introduction to a gardening blog that really captures the heart and soul of what makes gardening meaningful beyond just growing plants. You have done a beautiful job of framing gardening as a philosophy and lifestyle rather than just a hobby, emphasizing themes of mindfulness, patience, and connection that resonate far beyond the garden bed.
You obviously love gardening
What was the specific moment or experience that made you fall “head over heels” for gardening?
I am also curious to know the climate in your region, and is it conducive to gardening all year?
Thank you for taking the time to read through and comment on my post. Garden has grown into a passion of mine, but it’s not always been something I have done my entire life. I appreciate the positive feedback!
It was during Covid that I started and fell in love with gardening. I had, what I thought was a large, raised garden bed (18 feet x 10 feet) build by my husband in the fall prior to the Covid shutdown. We had already started planning our garden but didn’t realize how much time we would have to enjoy it. From there, it grew into my passion. I have learned how to save and preserve the vegetables we have grown. I have learned to save and preserve seed for the next season, along with early seeding and successive seedings, etc.
I live, and garden in Zone 5B. Over the past few years, the growing season in this zone has extended as the spring/summer/fall have been warmer. I do have to “pack it in” for the winter months, but this is when I am planning and preparing for the spring. I have been fortunate enough to have built a greenhouse over my garden. This too has helped extend my growing season.
Thank you again, and I encourage you to read through some of my other articles. There are more to come!
What a beautiful and heartfelt “About Me” page, Pauline! Your passion for gardening truly shines through every line, creating a warm and inviting space that feels like stepping into a peaceful garden itself. I love how you describe gardening not just as a hobby, but as a philosophy and a form of connection—with the earth, with others, and with yourself. The way you tie personal growth to the natural cycles of planting and nurturing is deeply inspiring. Your reflections on patience, mindfulness, and finding joy in small victories remind readers to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. “Green Thumbed” feels less like a blog and more like a community built on care and curiosity. Your journey beautifully captures the transformative power of nature—thank you for inviting us to grow alongside you. Truly an inspiring and heart-centered introduction!
Hello andrejs,
Thank you for such wonderful feedback! I am pleased that you got so much out of this page, and yes, I love sharing all about my gardening, successes or failures. I share as much feedback as I can, and this community provides a wealth of knowledge for all of us! I hope you continue to follow along and joine our community!
Cheers to a wonderful day!
Pauline
What a wonderful and inspiring “About Me” page! Your passion for making gardening accessible to everyone, regardless of space or experience, truly shines through. I love your practical, no-fuss approach and the fact that your wisdom comes from real, hands-in-the-dirt experience. The journey from a single windowsill to a full-on community resource is so motivating. Your page makes me excited to dig into your articles and finally start that herb garden I’ve been dreaming about. So glad to have found your corner of the internet
Hi Cian!
I am so glad that you are getting excited to dig in the dirt! With this website, I strive to show “real word” gardening techniques through my own experiences and those of the community. We have all had successes and failures. We all learn from both, and sharing these is key to “growing” ad a better gardener!
I hope you much success with your gardening, and you join our community to share what you learn!
Cheers to a wonderful day!
Pauline