When I started writing gardening content, I had imposter syndrome. I wasn’t a real gardener. That was a title bestowed on others — older others … by what must be some secret society. Because I failed a lot. And I didn’t know about every plant like ‘a real gardener’ probably does. Then, an editor’s note debating the terms ‘gardening’ and ‘yard work’ by Stephen Orr of Better Homes & Gardens made me realize, I actually was the real thing. He said it’s in the approach — when it’s spring and he’s full of hope, it’s gardening. When it’s August and you can’t face another round of weeds (willing themselves to suffocate your hope), it’s yard work. “So much of gardening is in our heads,” Orr said. The revelation that he, too, experienced reality getting in the way of his grand plans was what I needed to hear.

Because failure is intrinsic to any gardener’s endeavors. My piece of land (or rooftop garden, whatever you’ve got) isn’t going to behave exactly like all the others. The hardiness zones are only guides. Soil and sun can differ from one acre to the next. Furthermore, plants are life … and life is frail.

Secondly, no one knows all the plants! You can’t possibly, especially if you didn’t grow up in the region you live. Some gardeners know hundreds, I’m sure. Studying is imperative, especially given their cost, but it’s easier these days! In the Internet age, we blessedly don’t have to wait for wisdom to come along, or a green-thumbed mentor to shepherd us through a growing season — advice is available 24/7 on YouTube.

Real gardener or not? Sure, there are Master Gardener certifications and degrees available… but to begin, we’re all just gardeners. Turns out, the thing I brought to the table — a willingness to try, and try very, very hard — was the only qualifier. Even a blind squirrel gets a nut sometimes, and I believe every intrepid gardener can get a blossom if they don’t give up. It just might not be the first one you planted.

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