Digging In the Dirt is Good For Your Soul

We are all looking for something to brighten our day: my friend and neighbor John Bloodsworth is a local (and very successful) publicist who has put his passion for digging in the dirt to work. Several years ago, he created what he called his “sprout up.” With a traveling potting table on wheels made from a repurposed industrial cart, he took his planting skills on the road popping up weekends at coffee shops and retail stores.

Now, in the midst of the current situation, he has decided to move his pop-up to his own front yard, setting up a table filled with over 50 plants which he potted himself over the past several weeks while isolated at home with his wife, Jaime. He placed a sign in the yard that says, “Dig in the dirt. It’s good for the soul.”

He encourages neighbors to take what they want (free) and plant it in their own garden, patio or pot. 

Everyone walking and driving by loved the idea. Most importantly, it brought a smile to everyone’s face and they could all enjoy it from a distance, taking what they wanted and leaving some for other neighbors. John is sharing some simple tips for creating your own container garden. And, he says, “You don’t need the “back forty” to plan a perfect garden.”

Select a Container

A clay pot will do, but use your imagination and repurpose something from around your home that will serve the purpose and personalize your plantscape. An old metal colander used to wash vegetables makes an excellent container for a small herb garden. Get the idea.

Make sure you have a container with good drainage. If the hole is too large, place broken pottery shards or small stones in the bottom of your container to keep the soil in place when you water.

Select Your Soil

Good potting soil from your local nursery is a good resource. Look for soil that is adapted for container gardens. You may want to add a time-released fertilizer to the mix to keep your blooms fed and growing.

Select the Perfect Plants

An assortment of plants in a container adds a variety of color and texture to your miniature garden. Pick plants that require the same conditions for growing. A succulent that requires little watering may not do well with plants that need moist conditions. 

Select the Location

Place your container garden in an area where the right light for your plant will allow it to bloom and grow. Plants that require full sun are great for a sunny balcony or patio. Shade-loving plants may be best for that covered spot on the front porch.

Select a Cool Beverage

And sit back and savor the results of your gardening success. Enjoy!

I simply love John’s idea. There is something we all can do to stay motivated, continue to engage with others (from a distance) and brighten someone’s day. How we deal with life during this particular timeframe is a daily choice. As we continue to socially distance and self-isolate, we also have to make time to connect and stay involved. If you are doing something special, I’d love to hear from you.

You may also like Virtual Meeting Etiquette. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest,  Instagram and Twitter.

Have you always dreamed of fine-tuning your personal skills or honing your professional skills? Now is our opportunity. I am offering virtual training where I will work with you in a private session. This is a limited time offer, click here for more details.