Long time followers will know I’ve had a lot of computer problems over the past year.
Problems magnified again yesterday when I couldn’t get into my websites or email. I won’t bore you with all the details, but it took me most of the day yesterday and most of today to even get to the point where it might be possible to continue.
The problems are not totally resolved. They probably won’t be in the foreseeable future, mainly because I don’t know enough to fix them. I can do a bit of research on the problem from time to time, but can’t give priority to spending more long days trying to get a website to work. Paying a tech person big bucks to fix the problem is not an option either.
In spite of all that, I still plan on walking in the direction of keeping the websites. With some good fortune, things will continue on TMG and flowerborders.info. and I’ll be able to provide you with more information to help you in your garden.
Being realistic, we all know that at some point in time anything can and probably will disappear from the internet. TendingMyGarden is no different, although no one knows for sure when that will be.
Hard Copy of the Basics
There is so much complicated gardening information out there that the vast majority of people have come to think that they can’t be successful in gardening without a lot of “stuff” and lot of complicated dos and don’ts. That’s just NOT true!
The primary reason I wrote Organic Gardening, Cutting Through the Hype to the 3 Keys to Successful Gardening is because I wanted there to be a “hard copy” of the 3 simple keys that lead to success in gardening. Also, I wanted to cut through the hype of 4 popular things that folks have come to think you “need”, and explain why you don’t have to have them to garden.
One long time reader wrote after she finished the book that she had had the same concern. “I have spent a considerable amount of time in the past worrying about how the information on your site would be available forevermore. I had been so concerned that it would be lost. At the least, I have the most important points and concepts in my hand in this book. “
Other Responses from Book Readers
I’ve had many wonderful responses to the book. At a later date, I’ll do a post sharing even more with you.
- Several readers, who are long time gardeners, have written saying they think my book is the first gardening book one should read. There is and always will be more to learn, but I agree that this book is an excellent foundation on which to build. You could be successful with just the basic information the book holds.
- One young woman who has recently become a partner in her Mom’s small successful seed company writes, “It was really informative. I liked how (you gave) logical reasons for why to garden in this way, and that you had personal experiences to back it up.“ And also, “Your book had so much good, basic information in it that I want to read it again.” (It pleases me that so many readers have expressed that same thought in their emails to me.)
- Another young woman writes that she listed my book on a Facebook survey “as one of the ten that have affected me most, not just because it has revolutionized my gardening and made my garden more productive… but also because, by your example, I have realized I am RIGHT in questioning the marketing BS… for my garden and for my life…“
- One reader who homeschools her kids, wrote and told me she used the book as part of her homeschooling program.
The book is out there doing its job. It’s inspiring gardeners and helping them be more successful. TMG and flowerborders.info extends the range of information available to you to help you achieve success.
One reader who was away on business when his book arrived, wrote the following after he finished the book:
“I arrived from San Paulo, Brazil, Thursday morning about 10:30 am and arrived home about noon. Had lunch, opened the package, and started reading “Organic Gardening”. Finished reading the book about 11:00 am this morning (Friday).
It was fantastic. The layout and photos were very good. They made your book very easy to read and understand. It invites non-organic gardeners to at least give it a try. I enjoy your web sites and this winter have reread most of the posts.
Thank you so much for taking your valuable time to write and publish a great book.”
Final Thoughts
I’ve had a lot on my plate of late, but if things go well I plan on writing more to help you be even more successful.
In the meantime, read as much of TMG and flowerborders.info as you can. And you may want to consider getting my book if you haven’t already.
You can order here: At Last You Can Order
______
All content including photos is copyrighted by TendingMyGarden.com. All Rights Reserved.
Theresa if you don’t have it you can download C cleaner for your computer just do a search download the free version and run it when you seem to have a lot of trouble with browser on the web. Do the clean and register fix. This fixes many common trouble, does not fix malice spyware trouble. Hope this helps.
So sorry for your computer troubles, Theresa. What a pain that can be. Probably someone who is good a such things could straighten it out pretty quickly. You don’t know any geeky friends or neighbors who might be willing to have a look? Maybe in exchange for an afternoon in their garden, helping w/ advice, etc.?
Good morning, Theresa. Sorry to hear of your computer problems. The thought of no more TMG is disheartening. I for one would be more than willing to pay for a yearly subscription. Perhaps other readers would feel the same. Just a thought. Enjoy your day.
Mary
I am so sorry to read about your troubles. I look forward to reading your posts and am happy whenever one appears in my inbox.
By the way, my garden has to survive a very cold, very dry, and extremely windy winter climate. I usually keep the all the dead top growth on my perennials to trap moisture over the winter and then do my garden tidying in the spring! but I have been thinking about cutting down a lot of the taller perennials in my home gardens by about half and moving the residue to the tops of my veggie beds, which are a couple miles from where I live.
What is your opinion on that idea? Is there anything in particular that might break down or be otherwise helpful to use as mulch that I could incorporate in the spring? Is there anything I should be careful about adding, other than mildewed phlox, for example?
I would be very disappointed if TMG disappeared. Reading it is always such a good reminder that gardening is a pleasure and does not have to be either difficult nor commercially aided to be a success. Thank you for all the valuable contributions you have made to the discussion of gardening.
Thanks for the input Jack. I’ll check that out.
My problem right now is related specifically to the website and technical issues with the host server.
Yes, Tom, I agree that someone who is good at such things could straighten out the problems rather quickly. Unfortunately, I don’t know them. 🙁 Most folks that I know are either not interested in gardening or not interested in organic gardening. Thanks for the thought though. It’s appreciated.
Thank you Mary! I have thought many times about your suggestion. The main reason I don’t want to do that is because the simple information that I offer doesn’t seem to be available elsewhere although it is so desperately needed. I don’t want to cut off folks who are still searching and would have no way of knowing how easy gardening is unless they found TMG and had access to it.
When I first started TMG I wasn’t sure I could make a difference at all. But I’ve had so many write to me and tell me the tremendous difference I’ve made in their gardens. So, I see that I am helping and don’t want to stop helping if at all possible.
My thoughts now are to write some more things – in ebook form and/or printed book form – and offer them to readers in the hopes that I can earn enough to keep me going and bear the expense.
Knowing that I have your support is very encouraging and I hope others will feel the same and support me when the time comes.
Thank you so much!
Cary, since you have perennials you may want to subscribe to flowerborders.info. I have covered all of your questions in various posts either on flowerborders.info or TMG.
A lot of folks have the same basic concerns and I may address them in more detail in a post on flowerborders.info as quickly as I can.
In the meantime my short answer is:
1. Soil in flower gardens should be covered (mulched) at all times, just like the vegetable garden.
2. Perennial residue should be left on flower beds to feed the soil. (And thus the plants.)
3. I have left the dead foliage on mildewed phlox, peonies, monarda, heliopsis and others for years and years. It has not made one bit of difference. In years that conditions are right for mildew, the plants will get mildew. In years when conditions do not favor mildew, they don’t get mildew. (And yes, I’m very aware that the information all over the internet is that one should not leave mildewed foliage in the garden or flower borders. Over 36 years my findings are that that information is false.)
I’m so glad you enjoy TMG, Cary. Hopefully, it will be online for many years to come. I’ll certainly be walking in that direction.
My best and warmest wishes to each of you.
I have the best readers in the world!
Theresa
MAYbe instead of charging EVERYone a subscription fee for access to website, you could have a cadre of “sponsors” who could contribute enough to keep the website alive for ALL to enjoy???
Just a thought! I have your book, but so enjoy the “extras” on the website.
Pat, if worse comes to worse, that just may be an idea that might have to be given serious consideration if TMG is to continue. It overwhelms me with gratitude that some of my readers would be willing do that in order that many may continue to benefit. (I think I can think ways to “repay” those sponsors with seeds and plants perhaps.)
When I saw yesterday, that I was going to have to pay for the hosting of TMG and the domain names by the end of the year (to the tune of $204.00) I knew then I was going to have rethink some things.
Theresa
I am an elderly woman (85) and I need info on container gardening and small space gardening Please let me know the cost of the subscriptions. This is only the second time I have been to your website. I found it when I was asking for info on bunching onions. also interested in raised beds
Hi Ruth,
Welcome to TMG.
There is no subscription cost to visit and read here.
I don’t do a lot of container gardening so I won’t be of too much help to you along those lines.
Regarding raised beds, you may be one of the few people who really does need a “raised bed” (meaning a frame with soil in it). But just in case you fit with the majority of folks who because of marketing think they need these so called raised beds and really don’t, you may want to read these two posts first:
https://tendingmygarden.com/raised-beds-lasagna-gardening-soil-preparation/
https://tendingmygarden.com/contained-raised-beds-no-way/
Hope this was helpful to you.
Theresa
Cary – I hope you see this. I sent you and email and it came back as being non deliverable. So I’ll post it here in the hopes you’ll see it:
Hi Cary,
I’m working on a post that addresses the questions you asked
in the comment box on TMG yesterday.
Can you clarify a few things for me please:
What is the reason behind your moving the residue from your
perennial beds at home to your veggie beds a few miles away?
Would you explain more about what you meant when you asked, “Is
there anything in particular that might break down or be otherwise
helpful to use as mulch that I could incorporate in the spring?”
Did you mean what could you add to your veggie beds?
When you say incorporate – do you mean till-in?
Do you currently mulch your vegetable beds? If so, what do you use?
Do you mulch your perennial beds? If so what do you use?
If you can answer these questions for me it will help a lot and
I’ll try to get the post up tonight on flowerborders.info.
Thanks so much.
Theresa
Hi Theresa, I replied to your email with answers yesterday—about noon, I think—in a direct reply. I expect you already checked your spam filter? I also just replied to the email from last night. 🙁 Am thinking you probably won’t see my latest email reply either.
I’m heading out the door right now, but I’ll follow up this afternoon and answer your questions here.
Cary
Hi Theresa,
I am in Texas visiting my Mom, and just happened to see this post. I can’t express the pit in my stomach which comes with thinking you are having so much trouble. If I can help in any way, $ for subscription, or some other thing I am not thinking of, please let me know. I rely so heavily on my relationship with you. It would be devastating if I lost connection with you!
Sincerely,
Toni
Oh boy, I echo Toni. I can’t imagine not having TMG for reference and inspiration. It’s one of the few sites I go back to every year for specifics. For example, onions – I know that although I’ve had success following your onion advice, I’ve missed many details along the way. I’ve read back through the onion section of your site to prepare for next year. I’m planning to figure out potatoes properly for the first time. In order to do that, I won’t go to a book for generic potato information, I’ll go back to all the places you’ve talked about potatoes and study up from those posts. Then, what about the posts that have helped me understand the politics of our food and warned about potential dangers. You have done outstanding research in these posts. There are also the encouraging posts that just show that we all have success and loss and tell us how to keep on keeping on. I have not even mentioned the inspiration that I get from Bill’s beautifully taken photos. You get the idea, Theresa.
I hope everyone who reads here, in particular newer readers, understand just what gold is buried in your archives. There’s nowhere else to read some of the things I’ve learned here on TMG, and I’m in NO way overstating.
Theresa,
I have a small humble produce stand by my driveway. Since I’m lucky to have few needs, I donate the modest earnings to worthy causes associated with environment, education, saving the world, etc.. I’d like to contribute $100 to your computer/etc..
Is there a way I can do it electronically, by credit card, PayPal, or something? Otherwise I’ll mail a good old-fashioned check…
-Tom
Thank you so much Tom! Your contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed.
You may use paypal to contribute. I’ve created a donation button for easy use. Just click the link and enter the amount.
pay pal button
It is most encouraging to know there are folks like you out there who are willing to help me help others.
Thank you so much Tom.
Theresa
PS. An old fashioned check would have also been fine Tom. I’d be happy to send you my mailing address.