Happy Anniversary, PlantPostings!

Why did you begin a garden blog? What is the goal or purpose of your blog? Why do you continue to blog; what motivates you?

These are just a few of many questions I’d like to ask my fellow garden bloggers. When I joined the group one year ago today, I had no idea what I was in for. I thought it would be a fun way to share photos and gardening tips and ideas.

But it has become so much more! By the time the holidays rolled around last year, I knew garden blogging would be much more fulfilling than I had ever imagined. Then through the long, cold winter, visiting blogs from England, Italy, Australia, Malaysia, the southern U.S., and many more countries and regions gave me hope that somewhere in the world plants were green, growing, and thriving.

When spring began, posts hit the blogosphere with glorious photos of Snowdrops, Crocuses, and Hellebores. I knew I’d be able to make it through the winter! When spring ephemerals and then summer perennials made appearances here in my own garden and community, I couldn’t wait to document and share their beauty!

While summer was a busy time, I committed to posting at least once a week. Never at a loss for plants and topics to cover, I struggled with the demands of personal transitions, a full-time day job, and endless gardening and home chores. (No complaining about any of these things—I simply had limited time to blog and visit blogs. Very frustrating.)

And then autumn revealed itself in the most glorious display I can remember. Was it because it was more beautiful than other years? Or was I simply more attuned to the beauty because I was a garden blogger? Whatever the case, I have never enjoyed an autumn more than the current one.

Back to those original questions I asked at the beginning of this post, and my personal responses:

• Why did you begin a garden blog?

I’d been photographing the plants in my garden for years and wanted to find a way to document and share them.

• What is the goal or purpose of your blog?

To communicate with other gardeners and share tips, techniques, and knowledge.

• Why do you continue to blog? What motivates you?

Where do I start? The love of gardening, first of all! Fascination with plants, the desire to share information and joy with other gardeners, the opportunity to learn lots of new things, the fun of photography, and the challenge of documenting garden and habitat changes over time.

But there have been so many surprises, too, including:

• I’ve learned so much about climates and growing conditions around the world;

• Gardeners are even more generous than I’d thought;

• There are plants in my garden that I hadn’t realized were here, and I’m sure I’ll discover more next year;

• A few moments spent outdoors anywhere will reveal astounding photo opportunities.

Where is this blog headed? I’m not sure I have a full answer to that question. I know I want to continue it, because the experience has brought me so much fulfillment and joy—more than I’ve experienced from a personal endeavor in a long time.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank those who started this journey with me and continue to encourage me:

• Sarah of Good Garden Ideas, who mentioned the idea of a blog and encouraged me at the start;

• Autumn Belle of My Nice Garden, who added a sweet comment on my first post;

• Anna of Flower Garden Girl, who encourages garden bloggers and communicators around the world;

• My dear blogger friends on Blotanical, and others in that wonderful community whom I will meet in the future;

• Gardening Facebook and Twitter friends—especially those who “like” PlantPostings;

• Elaine, Ann, Rick, Linda, Teresa, Mary, Roxanne, and other current and past gardening co-workers who never hesitate to share plants and gardening lore;

• Family members who garden and/or support me in this new adventure; and most of all,

• Ernie, my dear husband, who encourages me endlessly in every endeavor that’s important to me.

While it has been challenging to meet my goal of posting at least once a week for one year, it has also been great fun. I did it! I’m a garden blogger! Virtual champagne for all!

And now for a motivational message (it’s worth watching—I promise):