Here’s what we learned from our talk with Jasmine of Black Girls with Gardens! We learned plenty about plants and cultivating our friendships. We hope these tips will help you on your journey to grow your plants and build lasting friendships.
- Jasmine is a therapist who works with mentally ill patients by day, and gardens at night. After her last grandparent died, she began taking care of her garden and it was there that Black Girls with Gardens bloomed. Jasmine says it came naturally to her because she loves plants and gardening + she felt it was necessary, and she wanted to connect with other like-minded women who were interested in gardening. As a result, BGWG has grown!
- People make two mistakes when growing plants – first, impulse buying plants without having done research to determine whether they will grow well in their home, and second, over-loving the plant by watering too much or re-potting too quickly.
- Do your research! Assess your home’s sunlight levels, whether it’s humid or cold, etc. Take five minutes to google the plant type and understand its care requirements. Qs to answer: what kind of lighting are you getting? What’s the ideal temp? Research which plants like those environments.
- Most tropical plants like warm rooms. You can buy elephant ears, philodendrons, hoyas, and monstera.
- For growing plants outdoors, consider your soil and what your watering schedule is going to be like.
- Plants can get sick. Go through a process of elimination – water, soil, light. If the plant doesn’t revive, it’s time to let it go. More tips here.
- If it’s not broken, I wouldn’t try to fix it. – in reference to Pamela’s Croton plant which is blossoming right now. If your plant is thriving, let it thrive. You don’t have to do anything extra.
- Try these fertilizers: organic earth warm castings, Jobe’s fertilizer sticks, and fish emotion.
- Growing zones aka your growing climates are important to know, so you’re aware of when and what to grow in your garden. It’s a guide to when to start growing fruits and veggies.
- Herbs are great plants to grow to learn how to garden – grow them indoors or outdoors. They’re resilient plants – basil (so many different types), parsley, oregano, cilantro, and thyme. You can grow 5 to 6 at a time. Have fun with these!
- Use neem oil to get rid of bugs in your plants, but beware of how much you are using because it can burn your plants. More tips here.
- We have so much in common with plants. Jasmine broke it down to three essential parts – water, light and soil. We need to water both our plants and friendships adequately. Water adds nutrients to plants, just as in our friendships, water represents good communication which is the key to any healthy relationship. You should feel comfortable sharing how you feel! Light is another important factor which gives plants the chemical energy it needs to thrive. Light in friendships = being present and listening more to one another. Finally, plants need proper soil, which is the foundation of growth. The foundation in a friendship means being surrounded by like-minded individuals! Set realistic expectations about the relationship but remember why you became friends in the first place, and be nimble as the relationship changes, and remember it’s worth fighting for as long as you’re still connecting.
- Managing friendships during a pandemic? Reach out and manage expectations! Take care of yourself first before anyone else. Be clear about your needs and manage where you can meet in the middle.
- Making new friends? Be open-minded to new experiences. You’ll find friends in ways you never did before. Be open to virtual first dates!
- Finally, just like plants, be easy, stay open-minded, and enjoy the journey. Some relationships will last forever, while others are just for the season, and that is okay.
