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Gardening has been one of the most enjoyable passions for me since as long as I can remember. DG revolutionized my idea of gardening and I narrate how it all happened and changed the way I live, changed the way I garden and much more. I would often look back to derive happiness this 'DG thing' has brought to me and my family. DG is one of the best things that have 'happened' in my life that gave rise to what I call my 'Eden', with really some effort for which I don't regret. Smile Read on.
It was July 2001 and the internet had become accessible even to me [!] and I had begun 'cyberslacking'. That was the time shortly after we had moved to our ancestral property where there were open spaces around the house which had mostly 'natural lawn' but not much weeds [was a problem later]. The occupant tenant, though loved plants had kept them in pots. So I saw nice spaces for gardening [which became 'crowded', yet green], much more space than in the other house where I grew up. Here is where my real gardening began:
I slowly began to grow some plants in patches and I developed a great curiosity to identify by name the plants in our premises. I had borrowed a book from the library but my searches found no direction. Google helped me identify many plants which I began listing out in a book. A particular website on Google showed up often. It was "Dave's Garden" [DG]. I wanted to know what it was. That slowly expanded my exposure to the Internet. I had opened my first e-mail in 1998. I buried my head deeper into this DG-thing only to find myself being drawn like an ant to sugar! Once this ant tasted the sugar cube, there has been no looking back.
[Pictures below - clockwise, beginning from left: Royal elephants stepped in one day; my daughters when we moved in here - notice the 'free areas'!; Gardening activity has begun; Some more progress - these are two shots from my friend's Sony Mavica; More progress in the next two pictures; then the house, freshly painted when we moved in]
Not all are really fortunate to have space for a garden and have one even if they have. To make the hands dirty with mud in the garden is a wonderful thing not all are blessed with! To me, gardening is one of the holiest and most sacred of hobbies one can pursue, provided they have bit of time a little bit of money to set apart; educative too. I vouch, it is worth every minute you spend digging, cleaning, nurturing, pruning, watering, or even sitting amongst the plants out there in a garden which we can call our own.
Back to DG, I began watching the forums and it tasted like my own cup of tea. The tenor in the threads appeared friendly and honest - so typical of DG. Naturally, I signed up almost automatically and instantly in one of my first 'hits' itself! It did not take long to realize that I was amongst a knowledgeable, helpful, reliable and magnificent group of gardening people. There were already 2745 of them between me and Dave Whitinger, the man behind all this. Now, no wonder the number is astronomical.
When Dave had look for subscription shortly afterwards, I got a bit worried because, DG had already become an obsession. But the situation was rescued by "Garden Angels" to whom I am profoundly grateful for their gift subscriptions, year after year. I stand indebted to such generosity. I am stuck to DG like a piece of iron to a magnet for all the good reasons. The DG aroma and flavour have never left - no signs either!! I have learnt lots about gardening and more, almost from naught.
Seed trading was another great hobby on DG [much like the stamp exchange I used to do] and my first trade was with the young Evert of Finland. It's a great pleasure to see seeds from other parts of the world growing here. There were many seeds that also failed to germinate and disappointed me. But I have learnt my lessons without switching gears when it came to be sent.
I wanted to share pictures of my plants and flowers like others did but I only had a film camera. The scanned images were of poor quality. I must never fail to acknowledge the kindness shown to me by my colleague and her husband, Mr.Thomas who so willingly allowed me to use their digital camera, a simple Sony Mavica, for taking pictures whenever a new flower had bloomed in my garden. DCs were too expensive. Garden Angels from across the world later saw to it that I got a good digital camera and even a PC so that I reduced 'cyberslacking' but increased sharing what I did here, 'half way round the earth'.
2006 was a year that brought in much joy. A kind "DG-er" sent me his small DC which was my first! Then soon afterwards, before I could get the hang of it, another DG-er sent me her Fuji which was slightly better than the first one. Yet another respected DG-er chipped in to offer me a DC, but that turned out to be a "PC". So Internet too arrived home. Then, a Panasonic DC with 12x zoom followed. I'm ever grateful to all of Angels for having contributed to my wild dreams going to fruition. That's been the spirit at DG and a trademark.
Now let me tell how the seed of gardening in me was sown. I grew up seeing how my grandmother used to dig a bit and water the plants with a hosepipe. There was gushing water supply in those days and never went dry, like now. Mostly they were the flowering plants like barlerias, tabernaemontanas, oleander, jasmines, some lilies and a couple of roses which were used for daily worship to God. We brothers participated in gardening not how plants grow but for playing with water as we made pathways along a slight slope to divert water to all plants - using a hand tool [which is still with me!].
When a little older, I can remember the thrill I got from growing my own plant from seed (it was actually a cosmos) with the help of a friend. I grew some beans and marigolds also with the help of my mother. This was nearly 35-40 years ago. Gardening has been such a great pleasure for me in my life and my garden: "Dinu's Garden" became a favourite "retreat spot", to sip my cup of coffee - sometimes breakfast too - beside my pond or under a tree. "Dinu's Eden" is what I chose to engrave [to suit the length] on an old rustic wooden plank to give that vintage touch. Here it is:
DG has really changed the way I look at gardening and gardening with DG-ideas and knowing lovely people changed me! I classify my career as pre-DG and post-DG eras! It has been such an impact, really, in my life too. And I can boast DG is the only one gardening website I have time for, no kidding! It makes me sad to share here that a major part of 'my Eden', the pond and many plants which I grew [from trades and local sources] and took care for almost a decade will be lost from my control due to an inevitable family situation. But some space will be left for me to dig around and create a new little Eden and that there is bound to be an interruption for a while in my activities. I have so far enjoyed the freedom to create my own weird things in my Eden. But I will later have less work with clearing weeds and more focused time, hopefully, in having a small garden. But it will not be the same.
[Here is a picture of my small pond]
My garden has invited many birds and insects and has allowed me to learn and study Nature, first hand. People have now known how interested I'm in it - so it is one of the important topics to start a discussion! Well, let's move on. We have to. My enthusiasm is the plant, DG is water and manure, DG-friends are sunlight and my curiosity is the digging tool and this is what brought me here and made what I am today. When I look back, I've some wonderful memories, thanks to DG. It shaped 'me and my gardening'!
Let our world be green, without envy!
About Dinakar KR
A gardening enthusiast, nature lover, homeopathy follower, cricketer, peace liker and animal admirer having a flair for writing and searching for time for those things what with a camera in hand!
Posted by haighr (from Hagerstown, MD) on July 14, 2008 at 7:34 AM:
You have certainly nurtured your garden as well as your heart in all of your hard work. The beautiful gardens you have developed are more than magnificent, they are a reflection of your character!
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on July 15, 2008 at 1:49 AM:
Wow Candee.. so nice to hear from you and these words! I'm sure you know the latest development through my other thread. Anyway, I'll post an update later than sooner! May be in another article for which I am now finding time hard to come by. Many changes are taking place over here. There is more hard work to follow... on the other side of that garden, my eden.
...
Posted by haighr (from Hagerstown, MD) on July 15, 2008 at 7:34 AM:
I have some idea that you are moving your eden, but not sure I understand the circumstances. Time does go by so quickly - I hope that all the changes are for the better for you and am sure knowing you, that you will make the best of them! Have a good day.
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on July 15, 2008 at 1:35 PM:
Thanks Candee..
Dinu
...
Subject: Thank you
Posted by Zanymuse (from Scotia, CA) on April 11, 2008 at 11:16 PM:
Your article was delightful and I enjoyed traveling back in time to when you first landed here in DG Land.
I am sorry that you will be leaving your beloved home and garden. I had to leave mine several years ago
and am now situated with a few feet of gardening space in town. But as long as there are pots and plants,
old friends and new ones I am content with what has been my life with all it's twists and turns.
I have learned to make a new place of peace and joy for myself just as you are sure to do. Best wishes to
you and your family as you move into the next chapter of your life.
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on April 12, 2008 at 11:21 AM:
Very many thanks Zany. It's about partition and I'll be using the other half of the same premises. As I have said, I'll come up with the brief story once the issue gets solidified properly and we are quickly closing in. Yes, more or less on the same lines as you have shared.
This was so interesting, to see the progression of your garden.
I've always enjoyed reading your posts, because you have such a wonderful turn of phrase; and your photos, and hope you will be writing another article soon - I'd love to hear more details about how your garden grew over the years.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on April 11, 2008 at 11:47 PM:
Me too, Dinu. I am a secret admirer and I always watch for your posts.
I hope you will write more about gardens in India.
Recently I met an Indian couple who live here in Greensboro, Alabama.
I was intrigued by a small garden in the parking lot near their store. When I started talking to the wife who planted the garden, there in a 3 ft wide space next to the parking lot she had espaliered plums. There they were all in bloom. To turn such a small space into a garden was an inspiration to me. Now I know it is a lesson from India.
Thank you Dinu.
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on April 12, 2008 at 1:00 PM:
It's my pleasure, zeus and gloria.
Will try my best to keep abreast of gardening activities -though it will not be the same in the future. Will keep things posted here on Dave's which has given so much to me.
Dinu
...
Posted by gardenpom (from Melbourne, FL) on April 14, 2008 at 6:12 PM:
Very nice, you are very blessed to have all these good things in your life.
...
Subject: Dinu my friend...
Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on April 11, 2008 at 1:15 PM:
What a wonderful garden you have created during the years I have known you here on DG! You have been an inspiration to many of us and it is with great caring that I wish you success in your new garden.
~darius
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on April 11, 2008 at 1:17 PM:
Thank you Darius.
Dinu
...
Posted by FlowrLady (from Olive Branch, MS) on April 11, 2008 at 7:54 PM:
Dinu, I know of you because like you, I read lots of forums... I have enjoyed your input to DG. It has changed my life, too! Thank you for such a great article.
Pat
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on April 12, 2008 at 1:03 PM:
Welcome, Pat. It's been my pleasure.
Dinu
...
Subject: Breath Taking :o)
Posted by pepsidrinker (from La Salle, MI) on April 11, 2008 at 9:15 AM:
Dinu, Thank you for sharing, just beautiful and I know you will have great fun and adventure creating your new eden, can't wait to see the results when they are done...
Connie
...
Posted by gardenglory (from Gainesville, FL) on April 11, 2008 at 12:43 PM:
Oh I agree. Love the elephants that just 'dropped by' as well. I have watched your garden and enjoy your post. I had no idea that the garden had really gotten so green and lush. Thanks for sharing.
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on April 11, 2008 at 1:19 PM:
Thanks Connie and GG. Yes, I hope the small new 'eden' takes shape in the coming months once the dust settles.
...
Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on April 11, 2008 at 9:33 PM:
What a lovely article, Dinu! Yes, it is sad to say goodbye to a garden, but surely you can take pieces of it with you, and it is always great fun to build a new one. I've always enjoyed your photography, too--thanks for sharing this.
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on April 12, 2008 at 1:07 PM:
Welcome, Woods. It's about partition of property... will share a small story shortly afterwards. But I'll live in the opposite half of my main garden side in the same premise. Will surely take some of it and grow in pots while a few will be taken in full from the ground by my good gardening friend and he will grow with the same love in his garden. I've already told him. It's been a pleasure to share my thoughts, feelings and pictures with you all. That has probably made me lighter, wiser and better.
...
Subject: Thank you for sharing
Posted by onewish1 (from Denville, NJ) on April 11, 2008 at 6:14 AM:
I enjoyed it very much
Allison
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on April 11, 2008 at 11:05 AM:
Thank you, Dinu. xx, Carrie
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on April 11, 2008 at 1:21 PM:
Allison and Carrie, it was a pleasure to share what all I did in the last few years. Sharing pictures has given me great pleasure. In fact I must have added that "it brought out the photographer in me" as well.
Dinu
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on April 11, 2008 at 4:37 PM:
Gosh, Dinu, I'm still looking for the photographer in me!
...
Posted by roybird (from Santa Fe, NM) on April 11, 2008 at 7:01 PM:
Thank you, Dinu. Always a pleasure.
...
Posted by leaflady (from Hughesville, MO) on July 17, 2008 at 9:34 AM:
I haven't 'talked' to you for a long time. I'm so sorry you are losing so much of your garden. It really doesn't seem fair. I pray the new owner will take good care of all the plants and offer to share starts with you. GOD bless and keep you and yours.
...
Posted by Dinu (from Mysore
(India)) on July 17, 2008 at 11:56 AM:
Thanks a lot leaflady, roybird and carrielamont.
leaflady,
Whoever buys the other half wont be the same... some concrete structure could replace it :( I'll post a picture today in a forum with a new picture....
