The approach I take to gardening is the same energy and strategy as starting Aprés Horticulture. First thing I do is analyze the situation, set expectations and have an image of the final result. I know that the first year of a year garden is a lot of patience and understanding that I am years away from a garden full of flowers, birds and BUZZ. The delphiniums are not going to have towering 3' tall spikes the first season. Aprés Horticulture is the newly planted delphinium, we only have a few leaves and not too many people even notice it. BUT with love, proper management and nutrition that delphinium will be POPPING off in a year or two!!
I know the potential of Aprés Horticulture and I am putting in the hard work. Steven Kristoph, my former Rutgers Professor taught me when you plant new gardens "the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they LEAP". It's this phrase that Dr. Kristoph taught me that keeps me positive and focused on the long term vision for Aprés Horticulture. That long term goal is to be planting large scale ecologically friendly gardens that make people stop and say 'WOW!'. Another long term goal is to be a contributing member of the community.
I am fully aware of my 'sleep year' of Aprés Horticulture BUT its actually going better than expected. I am achieving my goals of being able to help people with their gardens and even produced a 'WOW!' from Jane over the revamp of the annual designs on her deck, as seen below.
I am connecting with the community by volunteering at the local botanic garden and acquiring lots of knowledge from hands on experience with highly educated people. In addition to the weekly botanic garden adventures, I have been going to as many plant walks / classes as possible and really expanding my network in Asheville.
An important ingredient to starting a garden is LOVE and the outpouring of support from people that have wished me luck on Aprés Horticulture is the 'compost tea' for my dreams. The love I have been receiving has felt so good and has been fueling my desire to wake up and GRIND. I love horticulture more than anything (yes more than snowboarding) and I am so happy to have all my friends and family join me for the ride.
Plant on,
Derek
