Gardening for Beginners | Getting Started!

So, here we go, the start of a new adventure (hobby really). I have decided that this year I am going to learn how to Garden! Gardening for Beginners 101 – and that’s me! I’m the beginner, and I need ALL of the help I can get!

Come along with me on my Gardening for Beginners Journey as I learn, grow, and kill a few plants along the way (oh yeah, it’s already happened). I am excited to learn and share my experience with you (fails and successes) – even if it is a little embarrassing. We will see if anything actually grows from my garden this year or not :).  I can already tell you that Gardening is quickly becoming one of my favorite hobbies and something I REALLY enjoy doing!

Here is the area I will be putting my garden! I am SO excited, and I can’t wait to see what it produces this year! This area took me ALL DAY to clear since it was covered with paper that had been staked to the ground for over 6 years. The grass had grown on top of the paper and it was a MESS to get up! I got several blisters, a sunburn, and a great workout! It was a lot of work, but I actually really enjoyed being outside in the sunshine. It was SO peaceful and quiet without a phone, internet, or TV to distract me.

In the short time I’ve been gardening, I have noticed that there are so many correlations between Gardening and my walk with The Lord. For example, ROOTS!

It was amazing to me how quickly the roots took over, spread, and covered every inch of paper. Roots are strong and keep us grounded. We will be rooted in something, but the question is, what will we be rooted in? Roots are great if you are talking about the roots of a plant, roots of a tree, or the grass roots in the proper place. But when the roots are in the WRONG place, they are a MESS!

I was reminded of how important it is that we are rooted in Christ, and not in the world. Roots grow and spread and get tangled up. I don’t want to be grounded and tangled up in this world or in the things that distract me from God. I want to be grounded and tangled up in Christ, His word, and His plan. I am reminded of Colossians 2:6-7…

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7

We are to be “rooted and built up in Him”. He will make our foundation STRONG. He will become apart of every area of our lives (if we let Him). If we are rooted in Him, it is hard to be torn away. Yes, temptations and trials will come. But if we are rooted in Him, maybe the pull and struggle won’t be as difficult.

I know that I have let a lot of things shake me lately (jobs, relationships, friends, circumstances) and it is hard for me to not let these situations get the best of me. I know I have lost my focus on many occasions and wondered if God really has a plan. I KNOW He does, and I KNOW He is faithful. I have to stay “rooted and built up in Him” so that I can overflow with gratitude because He is in control, and He is faithful – even when I can’t see the full plan! When I stray or let my roots grow somewhere other than in The Lord, my focus shifts and I start to worry, fear, and take control. It is then that I need to dig deep and focus on The Lord so that my roots can grow strong in Him no matter what comes my way or tries to pull me astray.

Maybe you are going through a tough situation right now, and maybe life seems hard and unforgiving. Try rooting yourself in Christ, go to Him and dig deep. Let His word comfort you and cover you. Focus your gaze on Him and your roots will grow STRONG and DEEP in Christ!

Before we started our yard work (my Mom and I are gardening together), we ran to the Farmers Market, the Farmers Co-op, and a couple of other gardening stores! When we were at the Farmers Co-op we saw these cute little chicks! I would LOVE to have Free Range Chickens one day!

But thats enough with the dreaming, let’s get back to gardening! If you have any gardening tips, please share them with me – I need ALL the help I can get!

Posted by Julie Story. This post may contain affiliate links.