Stephanie Grounds and Josh Sherman

In Jacksonville, with 140+ master gardeners and amazing gardens, it’s nice to reflect on the simple beginnings and joys of one’s first planted garden during youth. This months’ garden celebrates two young people who epitomize the beginning joy of gardening and their love of sharing it.

Josh Sherman and Stephanie Grounds, married only a short time, have common hearts when it comes to gardening. They moved from Colorado seeking jobs and a warmer gardening climate. Luckily, they found an affordable rental here in Jacksonville and now love the quieter small town environment. Their new home is part of an apartment complex on “C” Street in the historic core.

After moving in, they thought the central, common expanse of lawn needed to be broken up and discussed the idea of building raised beds with other tenants. Although the response was not the enthusiastic one hoped for, neighbors have helped a bit and assisted with watering duty when Josh and Stephanie are away from Jacksonville. Stephanie has encouraged everyone to help themselves to the herbs, which many have done, sharing in the harvest and fulfilling her dream of “community” gardening.

Even with the initial lackluster response, Stephanie and Josh forged on. Using old “Jacksonville bricks” found piled beside the building complex, they created a circular raised bed by covering an old oak stump in the yard. Next, Josh built three raised wood beds in front of their place. Soon, more found bricks were used to create edging along a weed-infested bed that was lining a fence. While cleaning out the bed, they found peonies and sweet peas, and then added bulbs and sedums – one of Stephanie’s garden favorites!

Stephanie adores the textures of sedums, succulents, and the variety of hens and chicks. You’ll find them tucked everywhere along with pots of succulents that dot her front walk and rest on stumps and chairs. She estimates she now has about 30 kinds, many of which will nest inside her home to winter over.

The couple’s front door has two small beds on both sides. Two rhododendrons, once sheltered by shade trees, are now flourishing. Soon, they will be joined by sun-loving plants. Portulaca and sedums dot the beds and are slowly creating their own design. Next to the door entry, a climbing vine with a large cucumber atop, meets you face-to-face! A volunteer squash plant edges the walkway, offering a pending surprise as to the fruit it will bear. Anxious to find out what kind of squash it will produce, Stephanie suspects the plant emerged from her compost.

Josh and Stephanie are dedicated to gardening, having hauled in bag after bag of soil and supplementing it with homemade compost. They are also enjoying the garden harvest of gourds, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, eggplant, and peas so far. Additionally, they have an abundance of herbs, found anywhere there is sun. So far, the favorite harvest item has been the pie pumpkins. Josh smiles when he talks about how great Stephanie’s pumpkin pie tastes!

Both have already discovered gardening frustrations and regrets. Raccoons have torn the netting over their raised beds so they are working on a stronger defensive approach heading into fall planting! They also regret building the beds where they did since two trees, initially small, have grown and are shading the veggies. Despite clipping and trimming, Josh knows he will need to relocate and rebuild the beds or come up with other options.

This couple’s approach is evident along “C” Street where, last year during street renovations, a wide, raised bed was created between the sidewalk and the street. Josh and Stephanie saw an opportunity when they rescued patches of overcrowded purple iris plants and bulbs that had been languishing beside the apartment building. They planted them in the street side bed and are now looking forward to watching them bloom this coming spring. In the process of transplanting the purple iris, Stephanie and a neighbor with an abundance of yellow iris, worked out a mutually-beneficial bulb trade. Soon, both Stephanie and her neighbors’ garden will bloom purple and yellow, creating even more color for all to enjoy.

I was interested in discovering Josh and Stephanie’s favorite time in the garden, as they have no deck, patio or courtyard. Josh smiled and said that Stephanie loves the springtime when she gets to plant. Stephanie smiled widely, “Oh…and now I get to plant again for the fall… who knew?!”
Who knew indeed… many local gardeners have years of experience and knowledge about gardening, but these two gardeners reminded me of the true simple joy in seeing no barriers, and enjoying each new moment. Stephanie shared how exciting it is for her each morning to see if there is one more flower blooming on a stem or vine. Each and every one an exciting new experience! Thanks to both of them for the reminder!

Kay is the owner of Blue Door Garden Store, located at 155 N Third St. Specializing in paraphernalia for the home gardener; she carries garden gifts, decor and a wide variety of pots, tools, gloves, and organic product.