Dean Hildreth is the winner of Fine Gardening's #ContainerCraze challenge sponsored by Sweet Spot. His gardening journey will touch your heart.
"My favorite memories as a child were the hours spent in the summer with my Grandmother tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. She lived on a small farm and we would load the truck every Saturday morning and head to the local farmers market with large glass jugs filled with sun flowers, zinnias, dahlias, and baskets full of fresh vegetables. She lived to be 100 years old. When she passed she had a flat each of tomato and pepper plants growing on her dining room table that she had started from seed saved from the year before. In memory of her, I plant a tribute garden every year. She's still my sweetheart and inspires me every day."
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Comments
Dean: Congratulations on your winning container. What a lovely combination for shade. Love the use of texture.
Your story and tribute gardens to your grandmother is so touching and inspiring. It is great that she had such an impact on you when you were young, and that this has carried over into adulthood. I love the last picture with the combination of Leucantheum and Crocosmia. They work so well together.
Your patio umbrella goes so well with the red begonias and caladium. Great color echo.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Obviously back to your normal bedtime Kevin. Welcome back to your normal posting time.
Hello there Dean - congrats. on your award. What a lovely touch planting a tribute garden every year! It is so colourful. Your grandmother is bound to be proud of your efforts.
Yup, but it was good to "shake things up" a bit.?
What wonderful memories and what a beautiful garden! Gardening is certainly a love that can be passed from one generation to another.
I am so envious of your dappled shade. Do you grow your annuals from seed? Everything looks beautiful and lush... What zone are you in? Thanks so much for sharing and congrats on winning!
LOVE your special story and wonderful tribute to your Grandmother. Your photos are lovely, too! Congratulations on your winning container. It is a beauty!
Good morning, Dean. I so enjoyed reading your recollections of summers with your grandmother while you were growing up. I suspect that she planted more than vegetables and flowers during your time together...she planted the seeds of a great work ethic and an appreciation for what personal effort can produce. Great foundation blocks for a successful life. I love your celebration of color with so many of your flower choices. Your garden look like a very happy place. Congrats on your beautiful winning entry!
Nice words Michaele.
Wow. I'm all verklempt now. Such a great observation and sentiment.
Uh, oh, Tim, you have armed me with a new word to tuck away in my vocabulary arsenal. Context gave me a good idea of what "verklempt" might have meant but I did look it up to be sure. You get credit for being the motivator for my first google search of the day. Thanks!
Yiddish has given our language lots of great words!
Beautifully and thoughtfully said, Michaele.
Your container is terrific & your colorful cut flower gardens with some of the same flowers she grew are is very touching, & a beautiful way to honor your Grandmother. Thank you for sharing your memories with us this morning, Good luck, Joe
What beautiful gardens and memories! Thanks for sharing!
Dean, thank you so much for sharing that sweet, sweet memory of your grandmother. I know you treasure that and will treasure it forever.
A great memory, story and tribute. That's a lot of color! Certainly cheered me up this morning, so I bet it cheers you up every time you enjoy your garden.
Beautiful, happy and free are your gardens and memories! Thanks for sharing with us!
A touching memory and beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I love the 'feel' of your garden and the brilliant colors. That photo of the fountain in the dappled shade with ferns and hostas and a charming Adirondack chair to sit and enjoy the view, stole my heart
A joyous riot of color! Beautiful!
Bravo and well done Dean! Your container is truly a winner as is your beautiful garden. Loved reading about your grandmother and the influence she had on you. Vikki in VA
Your loving memories of your grandmother touched my heart this morning, Dean. I have no doubt that the time you both spent together was every bit as important to her as it was to you, it was the gift that continues to give. Your gardens, containers and window boxes make me smile... they are beautiful.
Dean, your garden is so cheerful and colorful. It really takes me back to the garden that I worked in with my mom, who never sold at market but did supply many of the neighbors with goodies. So great that you can carry on with what you learned from your grandmother. She sounds like a wonderful person who taught you well. Congratulations on your winning container, too, which is very artistic.
Honey, please !!!! I want to wonder around that garden !!!! Love LOVE Love !!!!!! Sweet story about your grandma- my grandma taught me to garden as well.
This reminds me of a southern garden- where is your garden ?
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