October 25, 2011

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):

39 comments:

  1. Beth, Congratulations on your 1st milestone and blog anniversary! I am very honoured to be mentioned in this memorable post of yours. Thank you very much for this. As you have said, I didn't regret watching the motivational video. The first blogging challenge I undertook was the Klang Daily Photo blog where I posted every day for 365 days. We call it Project 365 then. My next challenge was to write 100 posts for my garden blog in the first year. This year will be my 3rd year and by this December 2011, I will have written 300 posts. Now the 30 days challenge is new to me but I wanna to try it for self improvement. I'll think of something to do.

    After all, life is an adventure. May you add many many more memorable chapters to your book of life!

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  2. I trwaj dalej w blogowaniu, bo to jest wspaniałe, ciekawe, odprężające, motywujące, interesujące, czasami zabawne i .... wszystko inne za. Dla Ciebie inspiracją do bloga były zdjęcia, które miałaś. U mnie się zaczęło inaczej.Krążąc po internecie natknęłam się na bloga o ogrodzie. Pomyślałam, ze czemu nie spróbować. Mam ogród, kocham przyrodę. Nie miałam jednak za dużo zdjęć. Początkowo kopiowałam je z pozwalających na to stronek i zaczęłam robić własne zdjęcia ( kupiłam nowy nowy aparat.). Robienie zdjęć przyrody też mi się spodobało. Tak się stało, ze mam dwie radości: blog i zdjęcia. Pozdrawiam cieplutko

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  3. hi beth, congratulations to you! i think i started blogging first because carol at may dreams gardens told me anyone with a garden blog could attend a garden blogger's fling! but, even though i started one, i didn't get serious or even make it public for at least a year. (still haven't been to a fling, either!) at some point i realized i had some things i wanted to say about plants and got on with it. i've especially enjoyed the photography part. getting out with a camera makes me notice everything more. i always enjoy your prose. happy gardening and blogging for many more years!

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  4. Happy Blogaversary! I think all garden bloggers have a true sense of love for their gardens that they try to express to others of like minds. Perhaps that's why garden bloggers seem like the nicest of all people. We love other's gardens as much as our own, and are always anxious to see and learn more. Great post.

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  5. I Suppose like yourself I started blogging to connect with other gardeners, share info and learn more. It's also a bit like keeping a diary and it's there for us to look back on. I have also found it has made me more observant as I'm always looking for interesting topics to blog about.

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  6. Congratulations on your first year! I enjoy reading your posts!

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  7. Happy Anniversary!! I just had my two year anniversary. Garden blogging has been a wonderful part of my life too!! I love your answers to those questions, mine would be very similar. I am like you, I never have a loss for topics to write about either. If I didn't have a full time job and endless house chores and other life responsibilities, I would write every single day. It is frustrating - and like you, I wish I had more time to dedicate to it. It could definitely be a full time job. :-)

    I had no idea there was such a large community of garden bloggers before I started my own blog. It's a bit overwhelming, but so wonderful! I wish I had time to read everyone's posts every day. Facebook has helped a ton with that, I can get quick updates on what everyone is up to.

    I look forward to your second year of blogging.

    Amy

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  8. Congratulations on 1 year! I have and will continue to enjoy your photographs and experiences you share through your blog. I personally find blogging a wonderful creative outlet. Sharing in others gardens is very inspirational and educational. Gosh, where would we be without the internet! Cheers to another eventful blogging year and happy gardening!

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  9. Beth, congratulations on reaching this milestone. You blog for many of the same reasons I do. It is so fulfilling. I enjoyed reading your post as you examined your first year. I enjoy your blog and am very glad you decided to do it and continue to do it.

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  10. Congratulations! I am sure it is nice to have a whole year of appreciating your garden & writing accomplishment.

    I am constantly asking myself why I blog. There are so many answers to that, but mostly, I really love it! I lay awake some nights getting tons of ideas about what to write and I have to scribble them down so I can get to sleep!

    Hope you enjoy your next year more than your first!
    Julie

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  11. @Autumn Belle: Thank you! Wow, you've accomplished a lot in the past three years! Yes, life is an adventure, and I'm truly glad our paths have crossed!

    @Giga: I don't understand Polish, but with Google translate I was able to discover most of your message. Yes, garden blogs are the perfect outlet for people who love nature and gardening. I love your description! And thank you for your kind comments!

    @Daricia: Thank you so much! I agree--I hope to make it to the next fling. Maybe we'll be able to meet there. Cheers!

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  12. @Holley: You said it so well--we love other people's gardens as much as (often more than) our own. And there's always something to learn. Thanks for your kind words!

    @Bridget: It sounds like blogging serves a similar purpose for you. I think blogging and visiting other blogs ignites my muse and helps me to be even more creative and appreciative!

    @Tina: Thank you! It has been a great year, and I'm looking forward to the coming year for more learning and sharing.

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  13. @Amy: Congratulations on your anniversary, too! I agree--I would love to be able to garden and blog all day long. Thanks for comparing notes!

    @Karin: Thanks! Inspirational and educational are great words for this wonderful outlet. I always enjoy visits to your blog, too!

    @Sage: I'm so glad we've met in the blogosphere! I hope we can meet in person someday. Your blog is a beautiful respite!

    @Julie: Thanks for the good wishes! I love blogging, too. It's so much fun and combines so many of my favorite things to do. Cheers!

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  14. Hello Beth, let's give a toast to that, Congratulations. Although i have not been here always, i've been here many times. And even if i am not like Autumn Belle who knows all her blog statistics, my blog is a source of joy for me; the outstanding photos from bloggers, the wonderful gardens, their articles of mistakes, experiments, progress and achievements, and most of all the friendships evolving in time. I have been here also for a few years (though i forget when i started, LOL), i stopped when i got not much comments, but resurrect my postings again when i am down and looking for lovely photos, trying to keep connected. More power to you and more knowledge to come! I invite you to visit my posts too especially in winter, because we have our gardens and colors perennially present in our spaces, as autumn and winter are alien to us!

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  15. This month of October is my 5 year anniversary ... shocked ... it just hit me recently. Not as much posting as when I began but life changes and duty calls :) Happy Anniversary ... we are blessed to know you!

    I began simply wanting to organize my favorite seasonal recipes with my love of photography and gardening. Still loving all :P) I have so many wonderful friends on this journey and though tempted to stop, it's hard to give it up. So enjoy your fine posts.

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  16. I couldn't have put it better myself. I agree with everything you said - blogging about my gardens has opened up a whole new world for me, and reading other peoples blogs has been an inspiration. I have only been blogging for a few months, but I couldn't imagine life without it now. Congratulations.

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  17. Tłumacz Google jest bardzo przydatny w komentarzach w innym języku. Czasami nie wszystko się zrozumie, ale sens można przeczytać. Cieszę się, ze jesteś zadowolona z mojego komentarza u Ciebie. Dziękuję za wizytę u mnie. Pozdrawiam

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  18. Happy Anniversary! It's quite an adventure, isn't it. Blogging about my garden has opened up a whole new world to me, I have discovered new plants, made new friends, become a better photographer, I notice different things, and more things, in my garden and out and about. I love the sense of being part of a community. Oh, and it does do what I hoped it would, give me a way of recording what is going on in the garden so that I can refer back to it. Enjoy your next year of blogging!

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  19. I identify with so much of what you wrote, especially the unforeseen rewards of being part of a garden blogger community. Starting a blog has probably been the most rewarding thing I've done in the last year. Thanks for posting the video, too. Now I need to think up a 30-day challenge!

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  20. Beth how wonderful to reach this milestone of blogging for a year. I know when I made the commitment to post once a week, it was probably the only thing I have stuck to for a yr and the rewards are so immense. I cannot wait for yr 2 with you and your blog. And thx for the TED Talk video. I love those and this was very inspiring. So I am thinking up my thirty day challenge. I know it will be one of many...here's to a second wonderful year blogging my garden friend!!

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  21. Congratulations Beth and I continue to be one of your fans. Your photography is excellent and needed to be shared. And it's true about others being an inspiration especially when we are in our winter or even worse--- a weather pattern that drives us nuts. I like being friends with folks all over the globe.

    Your blog is very classy and informative. I do think your advice and suggestions are well thought out and spot on--both from experience in your own garden but also from your exposure in the writing world. Your advice is expertly given and eloquently executed.

    It's a true pleasure being included in this post on your anniversary. Hugs to you.

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  22. @Andrea: Thanks! You are so fortunate to have green, growing plants all year round. I admit winter is very difficult for me. So now I will visit your blog along with the others!

    @Joey: Thank you. It's been so much fun getting to know you here, on Blotanical, and on Facebook! Your blog is incredible and I look forward to many more visits!

    @Elaine: It's a wonderful community, isn't it? So much inspiration and information. Cheers as we follow this journey together!

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  23. @Giga: Yes, it's wonderful to be able to understand each other faster than we could in the past. Happy Gardening!

    @Janet: You were one of my first "favorites" and I look forward to many more visits to your blog. Wherever you garden, your posts and photos will be beautiful!

    @Sheila: Yes, I'm trying to think of a 30-day challenge, too. Something that can tie into the blog, so I can accomplish both at the same time. We'll have to cheer each other on!

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  24. @Donna: Thank you so much! We'll have to keep each other's spirits up this winter. Your posts encouraged me last year--even when we were both dealing with grey, chilly days. :)

    @Anna: You are so kind! Thanks for supporting all of us in this wonderful community. We are truly blessed!

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  25. Congratulations, Beth, on your one-year anniversary of blogging! Your reasons for enjoying blogging and all the benefits express exactly how I've felt since I started blogging, too. This is such a wonderful community of friends, and I've learned so much these past few years from other bloggers, that I can't see myself ever "retiring" from it. My only regret is that I don't have enough time to visit everyone as I'd like. But blogging friends are pretty forgiving:)

    I don't remember how I stumbled upon your blog or if you visited me first, but I'm so glad to found you--I always enjoy your posts, and I can always relate to the trials of a fellow Midwestern gardener. Wishing you many more happy years of blogging!

    P.S., I don't always take time to watch videos on a post, but I'm glad I watched this one. A great message! Maybe I'll start that novel I've always wanted to write next Tuesday...

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  26. Congrats Beth!!!
    I love blogging because I love writing, photography, gardening and getting in touch with people from all over the world.
    BTW: wonderful autumn shots! :)

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  27. Congratulations on your first year. It is a milestone. I wish you many more years of sharing your garden and garden knowledge via this blog. We can learn so much from each other and just enjoy the gardens from around the world.

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  28. Congrats Beth, and many more. I started blogging because the meet-up was in Buffalo that year. I met many bloggers and wanted to join the fun and go to future meet-ups. Blogging is also a way to be crazy creative without the daily grind of my professional design work. A way to express different interests also. But being part of this community has been a joy and I found out how much I really love it.

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  29. @Rose: I agree--I'm so glad we found each other's blogs. And the blogging and visiting blogs just keeps getting more fun. Good time to start that novel!

    @Dona: Thank you! Yes, it's been great fun meeting and comparing notes with gardeners around the world--like you!

    @Layanee: Thanks! It's been fun getting to know you and visiting your beautiful blog. Cheers!

    @Donna: I agree, the creative aspect is so rewarding! And being able to set your own rules and just have fun! Thanks for all your support!

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  30. It is always wonderful to hear about the inspiration/motivation that other bloggers have. I send my best wishes on your first blogoversary. When I began almost four years ago one thing I had not counted on was what a good record it would be of weather and doings in the garden. Yesterday we had our first blizzard and it was easy to check and find that last year we had to wait until Dec. 28 for the first storm. Makes it difficult to plan.

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  31. I came to see the TED talk.

    Happy First Blogaversary!

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  32. @Commonweeder: Thank you! Yes, it is difficult for us gardeners to plan--especially for those of us who live in changeable climates. I'm sure a blizzard is just around the corner for me. Brrrr...

    @Elephant's Eye: Thanks! This year sure went fast. I'm heading over to your blog for a visit. Cheers!

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  33. Congratulations! I'm so grateful to have come across your blog...I've enjoyed your thoughtful posts and look forward to experiencing your future garden with you.

    We share a lot of the same reasons for blogging. Like others, I've been pleasantly surprised by the generous community. It started as a way to journal and keep notes of what was going on in my garden but has evolved into so much more. It's a fun endeavor and I'll continue as long as it remains fulfilling. Probably my biggest revelation has been in how much I enjoy photography...never really had any interest until I started blogging. Now I can hardly go anywhere where I'm not wishing for my camera. So much to see and share!

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  34. Happy blog anniversary! I enjoyed your post. Like you, I think blogging has caused me to be more observant.

    I started blogging 3 years ago, after 4 months of being in a couple garden forums on ivillage. Some of the people there had blogs, and encouraged others to start one. Before that, I didn't even know what a blog was. The main reason I decided to start one, was because I liked posting photos on the forum, and people complained when people put too many or what they thought were too large photos. With a blog, you can post as many photos as you want, and any size. It was a way to visit with other gardeners, and do a bit of show and tell.

    It did turn into a way for me to keep track of what's going on in the garden over time. Now, I can't remember the rest of your questions.

    Sometimes I think I spend too much time blogging. Other times, I wish I had more time to blog, because I just can't keep up with all the blogs I'd like to. I like what Rose said about blogging friends being forgiving. I do consider myself to be friends with some, and acquaintances with many others, even if we don't visit often.

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  35. @Cat: Thank you for the kind compliments. I'm thrilled to have garden blogging friends like you in the southern U.S. -- you keep me hopeful in the late winter and early spring. I know what you mean about the photography. It's really growing on me--lots to learn!

    @Sue: Thank you! We're all fortunate that you started blogging. It's always a pleasure to stop by your blog and see what's growing in the corner garden!

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  36. I'm so glad you started blogging because I love your blog!! Happy Anniversary! Ultimately, I blog because I can connect with other gardeners and share my love of gardening with people who love it as much as I do. :o)

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  37. sorry am late with my congrats Beth but was away. Long may you keep your readers enthralled with blogging and most of all thank you for the time you give to others (especially reading how hard pressed you are). I appreciate your visits very much
    Laura x

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  38. Congratulations! I find that having a blog and having to do regular posts has made me disciplined. Photographing my garden and that of others has also has made me see things that I might not have otherwise seen. I am warmed by all the friendships I have made. Gardeners on the whole are a great group of people. Again happy blog-anniversary!

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  39. @TS: Thanks! It's been great fun comparing notes with you this past year!

    @Laura: Welcome back! Thanks for your kind wishes. I appreciate your support so much!

    @Jennifer: I totally agree with you!

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