In my last post concerning Scotts Miracle-Gro Tina commented, “Boy, do I feel GUILTY, Trey! I'm in a new subdivision (IL), and although I do a lot of the outdoor work myself, planting gardens and trees, I do have a local landscape outfit cut and fertilize, etc. every week. Not Scotts or Chemlawn though. But I am also a victim in our subdivision! Our lawn and gardens look as good as I can get them, while still working a 45-50 hour work week outside my home, but there are plenty of homeowners who simply ignore everything on the outside of their homes. (Wonder what that says about the INSIDES!) The developer's sod looks horrendous, especially since we have had little rain, the weeds are twice the height of the yukky, sparse grass. How I wish these homeowners would do ANYTHING to keep their grounds looking nice. *sigh* These people are so strung out on paying their mortgages that they have nothing left for the nurseries or even the BOX stores.”

No guilt! Younger families often have no choice but move into subdivisions that have affordable homes. It’s admirable that you feel it’s important enough to pay for garden care. 45-50 hours a week will wear you down, not much energy to garden. Many of the garden services out there are made up of hard working, well meaning people.

What’s really neat about your comment is how, just five years ago, we would have never had this conversation. Imagine its five years ago. You have just moved into one of these subdivisions and yearn, like Tina, for something more. Looking up and down the street you might not find anyone doing anything worth talking about in their gardens. You turn on HGTV and find shows that tell you with the right amount of money and throw pillows, you can do anything. Garden Magazines are not much better. None of the gardens pictured look like a garden you might want, or afford. They just don’t speak to you.

Now everything has changed with garden blogging. Tina can see real gardens, and talk to real gardeners. She is not alone! Other people have gardens that look like what she might want to have. Some people have gardens that are never “done”. They are works in progress. Some Garden bloggers are brand new to gardening, and she can share in the challenges and fun they experience.

There is great pressure to fit in with the other neighbors. Now with garden blogging you can find out how other people have dealt with the same challenges. That’s why I think garden blogging will usher in a whole new gardening renaissance. More and more people will see real gardens, and gardeners, and be inspired. This is not going to be a mass movement, but will be embraced by those on the fringes, like garden bloggers, who yearn for more. It may spread from there. We’ll see.