About Me

An outdoor pic of me wearing sunglasses standing in a park in front of trees and a blue sky

Hi there, I’m Barb – the green thumb behind Win-Win Gardening!

I have been an avid gardener for 60 years! WOW! Shush-Don’t tell anyone but I am only 29 years old!

If you’re swinging by win-wingardening.com, you’re about to discover a treasure trove of gardening tips for beginners, gardeners of all ages, and anyone who’s curious about plant care.

It’s not just about planting seeds; it’s about planting growth and happiness in your daily life.

Win-Win Gardening is my refuge of sorts. Whether you’re just starting out with your own garden or looking to add some new life to an existing one, you’ll find a wealth of information on my website.

Not only will you find the tips and tricks, but you’ll also find the tremendous joy that comes with watching your garden thrive.

And while I don’t have any formal horticultural training, believe me, my dad’s lessons and 60+ years of hands-on experience have taught me what works!

Gardening is one of my favorite ways to connect with people and the world around us. It’s a relationship that brings joy and overall well-being.

My goal is to walk you through this journey, showing you how to make the most of what nature has to offer and how to share the joy that comes with putting a little bit of yourself into your garden.

That’s the ultimate win-win!

My Gardening Journey

If I take a stroll down memory lane, the ’50s and ’60s is where my passion for gardening took root. My father’s garden was a living masterpiece of vibrant vegetables and radiant flowers that enchanted me from an early age!

Being the fourth child and the only girl, I often found myself running to the garden as an escape from my rowdy brothers. I found solace in the sanctuary of our garden, where my father’s teachings were my guide.

Working alongside him, the world of plants and blooms wasn’t just mesmerizing; it became my playground and classroom at the same time!

Those early years were not just about digging and planting; they were about building vivid memories. I recall the way my dad carefully selected sweet peas to create colorful bouquets for my grandma.

Her joyful smile as she received them is a memory I hold dear and one that reminds me why gardens are more than just pieces of land – they’re fountains of happiness!

My journey with plants continued well beyond those initial days of wonder. I didn’t pursue formal horticultural education after high school, but the lessons handed down from my father, coupled with trial and error in my own garden adventures, became my education.

My story winds its way through various life stages – marriage in ’76, two boys to raise, and new gardens to tend. With my late husband, we sculpted our yard into a place of growth and beauty.

Yet, the journey of garden life wasn’t always a smooth path, especially after his passing in 2011, which led to a period where my gardens grew wild and untamed as my heart grieved.

However, my love for gardening was too strong to let go.

The year 2023 was a turning point in my life. With a few new tomato plants and cucumbers, I was able to find my way back to where it all began; back to the joy that began with a little girl shadowing her dad!

Gardening Through the Seasons

Embarking on a gardening journey is like planting a seed. You never quite know how it will turn out until you put in the effort and watch it grow.

With a whopping 60 years of nurturing gardens, I’ve seen just about every quirk that Mother Nature can throw at a gardener, and yet, each season brings with it a new sense of wonder.

After marrying in ’76 and welcoming two boys into the world, the dynamic of our family garden naturally evolved. We built vegetable and flower gardens from scratch, dedicating our love and effort to nurturing them through the years.

It’s a very sad time when you loose someone you love. Alas, my father passed away unexpectedly in September 1990. Memories are a wonderful way for me to carry on with what he taught me!

In the late ’90s, we downsized our garden ventures, pivoting our focus towards flower plants, favouring their simplicity and bursts of color.

However, when I lost my husband in 2011, the desire to maintain the gardens waned, and I allowed nature to reclaim much of the space we had once cultivated together.

Retirement came knocking in 2021, alongside the world-shaking impact of COVID-19, ending my 32-year stint in the workforce.

Now, with time as my ally, I’m diving back into my gardening projects. There’s a lot of opportunity in taking it slow, embracing a more relaxed pace, and more time to be in the yard. Time to smell the roses!

While not having a spouse to share the load presents its challenges, I’m constantly finding ways to adapt and overcome, ensuring my garden continues to flourish. My journey now is about new beginnings.

My indoor haven during the winter months is my sunroom. My Christmas Cactus, Poinsettia, and Amaryllis plants provide a cozy retreat filled with greenery.

My Amaryllis plant in bloom at Chritmas time
My Amaryllis in bloom!

It’s awesome that growth and beauty persist, even when the world outside is dormant.

Sharing Widsom: 6 Decades of Gardening

After all these years, my aim has always been to sprinkle seeds of knowledge that germinate into bountiful gardens for everybody. Gardening is not merely about planting seeds; it’s about nurturing growth, both in the soil and within ourselves.

Here, every piece of advice and gardening wisdom I share is cultivated from real-life experience. I’m not just telling you what works; I’ve lived it!!!

With each article, I extend a hand to you, whether you’re a rookie with your first pot of petunias or a senior looking to adapt your beloved garden to fit a more leisurely pace.

It’s about creating a community where you and nature can prosper together. With my guidance, I want to offer you the same joy and fulfillment that gardening has given me throughout my life.

If you’re looking to transform a tiny patch into a haven for bees and butterflies or grow the juiciest tomatoes in town, you’re in the right place.

I’m here to help you unlock your garden’s potential with down-to-earth tips that can turn your own trial and error into triumph. Let’s help your garden succeed, step by step, together.

Beyond the Garden Gate: A Glimpse into My Life

And there you have it, a walk through my garden and into my world. I really hope that you’ve found a kinship in these shared experiences and insights from win-wingardening.com.

Remember, gardening is more than just a pastime; it’s a canvas for creativity, a lesson in patience and persistence, and a way to truly harmonize with nature.

Now, when I’m not knee-deep in soil or nurturing my indoor oasis, I’m fully engaged in the simple pleasures that round out my life.

Whether it’s losing myself in a good book, strolling along a serene path, or even enjoying the latest crime mystery on TV, balance is key.

And let’s not forget about food — yes, poutine tops the charts for me, minus any hint of mushrooms, of course!

It’s these little things, along with my passion for gardening, that make my life rich and full. I invite you to join me on this green journey, whether you’re here for the gardening wisdom or just to share in the journey of a fellow enthusiast.

Choose something that resonates with you; whether it’s the vibrant blooms or the earthy aromas of the soil, dive in and let your garden reflect who you are.

Stay tuned for more tales from the garden, practical tips, and maybe just a bit of the unexpected. After all, a gardener’s path is as varied and unique as the plants we grow.

And remember, in the garden of life, every day is a chance for growth and discovery. This isn’t just about cultivating plants; it’s about cultivating joy and giving back to the earth that sustains us.

So, come grow with me — it’s a win-win for us and for Mother Nature.

Until next time, happy gardening!