Celebrating the Gardens of Jacksonville – by Kay Faught

My Neighbor’s Garden, April 2014 – by Kay Faught of Blue Door Garden Store

“Each morning, I’m reminded how blessed I am to live in a town surrounded with trees, gardens, flowers, birds, and a slew of gardeners that would rather putter in their gardens than battle the freeways. Jacksonville’s gardens are exciting and varied…some tucked away behind fences and walls, some visible as we stroll the sidewalks. We find manicured yards and wide beds, cottage gardens around old historic homes, curving beds of ever-changing perennials, patios with containers of bounty spilling over garden chairs and onto pavers, and bare dirt gardens ready for the beginner on their own new journey into the world of clay, dirt and heat. We celebrate them all as they provide journeys that lay hidden all around us.”

The paragraph above was part of the very first written in this column 4 years ago this month! April and Harvey Bower were the first to share their wonderful garden with me and allowed me to use them as Guinea pigs! As I was thinking of writing this month’s column, I went “nostalgic” about the last 4 years, recalling the joy I have had in covering such a variety of styles of gardens…but more specifically, the people behind them. So this month is dedicated to all of them, and many more to come!

One of the things I have come to learn in doing this column is the amazing variety in what people call “gardens.” There are no rules, no boxes, or limits, no errors in this game and every garden is unique and filled with learning, successes, and “contentments.” Even those with no “garden” have a spot they love in their yard or on their porch or patio—a place where they sit and relax, take in the outdoors, think through their day, enjoy wine & cheese, or chat with a friend or family member. We use our gardens for so many reasons—to celebrate, walk, escape, grieve, learn, play, create, work-off stress, pray, build, entertain, harvest, and teach children about bugs and flowers.

I’ve seen gardens beyond imagination and grandeur and others, small and humble. Gardens for handicap accessibility, fairies, a hillside forest, birding, glass art, historic preservation, terracing, harvesting, containers and condo style. The list goes on, but all those tending them had the same responses: they love to garden. And while the reasons as to “why do you garden” vary, what amazes me is that there is always a noticeable hesitation and then a glow, smile, or glimmer and pause, as the person thought through and tried to articulate “why?” This is because it is so deep and true and simple. Gardening hits a core in all of us—a place we can be, create and be a part of nature. It is true therapy. Children in inner-cities who experience a garden for the first time are amazed and show joy no sidewalk skateboard can give. It is in us and part of us, either to do, observe, or learn about. I think it takes different directions in all of us, but it is there, waiting to be explored in some way. Even as we gardeners age or perhaps move and “downsize,” the need is still fulfilled through patio pots, terrariums or potted plants being constantly nurtured. I have found that size and space do not matter, as long as soil can still be worked!

I urge each of you to be aware of gardens around you, no matter the look, size, or what it offers. Learn to appreciate what you may have never experienced. Find out about the garden, introduce yourself to the gardener behind it and ask them about it. You just may be blessed like I have in learning about and understanding “my neighbor’s garden!” And, should you take the challenge and discover one, give me a call—I’d love to hear about it!

Thanks for sharing your amazing gardens with me and allowing me to share it with others.

Kay is the owner of Blue Door Garden Store, located at 155 N. 3rd, behind a big blue door. Specializing in garden gifts and décor, she also carries a wide variety of tools, gloves, and organic product.