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This year I realized that I have a new-found love for gardening and decided to go completely green in 2012; so much so, that I've adopted the color green for 365 days. But then I realized that I am a clueless newbie in the world of gardening.

So that led me straight to Google. Surprisingly I was quite disappointed with the results, for most of the articles provided information that is very difficult for a beginner to comprehend. In spite of that I did manage to find useful tips and advice, but soon found myself losing interest.

Then it occurred to me that rather than visiting big-shot websites who lack genuine human interaction, I should learn from those who actually leave their computers and step out in the garden. Those who are passionate about gardening and nature. Those who have built an inspiring community of green thumbs, and share all that they've learnt through beautiful images, sensible tips, motivating articles and most importantly their sheer love for nature and its joyful mysteries.

Over the past few days, these bloggers have played a major role in keeping my love for gardening alive. So if you are anything like me and aspire to rekindle your love for nature then bookmark these websites..trust me, you will not regret it.




An Artist's Garden



























Karen Hall, a textile artist and a gardener is the owner of this beautiful blog and a garden that is 130 feet long and 45 feet wide, along with a kitchen garden and driveway.

What I like the most about her blog is that she treats her garden like a canvas and has lot of brilliant ideas to turn your garden into a work of art.

"I have returned to Wales to live and work. Here I am surrounded by beautiful countryside, and I live a few minutes away from the sea. 

My studio is at the bottom of "An Artist's Garden" The garden and the studio are open to the public under the NGS for one day a year in September"

Carrots and Kids






























This blog is by Deb, who believes in keeping it simple. A mother of five, she likes to encourage children to indulge in gardening and hopes that someday they too will find passion in gardening.

What I like the most about her blog is that she keeps it real and has brilliant ideas for growing veggies, fruits and flowers from jam jars.

"What I do have is a fair amount of enthusiasm. And an urgent desire to grow what we eat. Or possibly, what the children will turn their noses up at eating, even if they have sown it themselves. I love hearing horticultural tales from others gardening in similar style. People who grow bountiful harvests from a small garden on a budget float my boat."

Ecosystem Gardening
































This website is by Carole Sevilla Brown who firmly believes that 'conservation begins in your own backyard'. She practices what she preaches and encourages saving water, growing native plants, keeping soil healthy and sustainable gardening.

What I liked the most about her blog is that she also believes in sharing space with birds, butterflies, toads, bats, reptiles, insects and everything that is natural.

"We really can do something that makes a difference. And creating an Ecosystem Garden is one of the very few things in life that actually makes real the old adage “If you build it, they will come.” When we choose to do something to help wildlife, the impact can be almost immediate"

Far Out Flora


























This blog is by a lovely couple: Matti and Megan who like to call themselves plant nerds. Their gardening style is a little different and quite refreshing. I came across an interesting quote on their website that aptly describes the couple's practicality and love for gardening. "If you are not killing plants, you are not really stretching yourself as a gardener" -J.C. Raulston.

What I like the most about their blog is that not only are they into growing flowers, they manage to develop an interest in non-conventional forms of gardening within you; which can get very exciting.

"Matti works for Flora Grubb as a jack of all trades (mostly inventory & logistics stuff) & Megan works for Annie’s Annuals & Perennials making signs, putting cool plants online & writing about such . Succulents, bromeliads, carnivores and other weirdo plants are our faves"

Gardener's World


























This is a website by a leading gardening magazine in UK. I know that this list is mostly about people who write from their heart and not big-shot websites, but when I was learning the basics in gardening, this is one of those few websites that managed to inculcate a lot of gardening knowledge in me.

What I liked the most about this website is that they have a plethora of knowledge (by gardening gurus) about almost everything to do with gardening. Their projects and videos play a major role in making things easier.



Growing With Plants
































Matt Mattus, a graphics designer has incredible passion towards his garden, he grew up in a garden that has been around for almost 100 years. It was his grandfather who built this garden, and today Matt is taking care of it like his own child.  You will be surprised with the variety of information available in his blog.

What I like the most about his blog is Matt's pure love for his family garden and his 44 years of gardening experience. His vast knowledge and writing style has a way of making you fall in love with plants and flowers.

"I make it a point to grow more than one species, and I particularly like to try and find numerous species of one genus to grow from seed, so that I can share all of the subtle differences between the genus.

I would say that I treat my plant collections like museum collections, ‘installing’ installations in my sand beds, which may focus on a theme, or to show numerous species. I am always looking for rare seed from expeditions, or traveling myself to places like the Alps, South America or Asia for new species or for influence."

Guerrilla Gardening






































This blog is about an inspiring community of noble gardeners initiated by Richard Reynolds. Its about a group of people who are on a mission to eliminate lack of plants and flowers in public spaces. Their motto is 'gardening without boundaries' and those who are a part of this inspiring community are on a quest to replace filth with flowers in their city.

What I like the most about this website is their community's profound love for nature. Simply visiting their website and reading how people all over the world are selflessly making this world a greener place will inspire you deeply.

"Whether you're making a place more beautiful, more edible, more fragrant, more bio diverse, more friendly, more thought provoking or all of that what we have in common is gardening without boundaries."

Laetitia Maklouf


























Maklouf's blog has been a great inspiration for me, mostly because I can relate myself with her. Just like me, she realized that she has a 'thing' for gardening, in spite of being completely unaware of what gardening entails. She too is a self-taught gardener whose enthusiasm will make you wanna go out to the garden right away.

What I like the most about her blog is her style of relating gardening with food, she likes to call her gardening ideas 'recipes' and the images in the posts makes the learning process all the more fun and educational.

"I became a complete plant geek and spent a lot of time visiting gardens and taking notes, and talking about plants in rapturous tones to any poor soul who found themselves sitting next to me at dinner or on the underground…I had found my ‘thing’ and I wanted to celebrate."

The Enduring Gardener




























This blog is by a gardens editor Stephanie Donaldson who contributes to Country Living Magazine and has also written many books about gardening. Therefore, if you are looking for some professional advice, then you should definitely visit this blog.

What I like the most about this blog is that in spite of Donaldson's vast expertise and intense knowledge, she keeps it simple and to the point on her blog. Making it easier for a newbie to get a hang of things.

"It is true to say that gardeners have an affinity with nature, more acutely aware of the turning of the seasons, eager witnesses of the gradual transformation of the months from January through to December.

It is also true to say, that in common with each other they tend to be a resilient lot, hardy dependable and patient. Able to overcome the most extreme conditions, put up with set backs, never to give up in order to bring seeds to life, observe the emergence of new shoots, the explosion of blossom and the maturing of fruit. In essence gardeners are blessed with uncommon endurance and like the long distance runner, they’re in it for the duration."

Veggie Gardener


































If you are one of those who likes to grow their own food, then Tee Riddle's Veggie Gardener can turn out to be a great source for you. His website will provide you with loads of information, tips and ideas required to grow your own vegetable garden; from sowing seeds to harvesting and everything in between.

What I like the most about this website other than an easy-to-the-eye navigation, is that his clever tips and sensible ideas makes the concept of growing your own vegetables a lot of sense. Even if you are a newbie, you will find that kitchen gardening comes quite easily to you. His free eBook: 101 Tips for growing amazing organic vegetables makes things a lot more convenient and exciting.

"If you have never grown a vegetable garden, there is no better time than now to start one. The current economic conditions have made growing your own vegetables a very cost-effective practice, so if you haven’t started yet I hope you decide to. 

There’s nothing better than tending a garden, and then savoring the fruits of your labor come harvest!"

You Grow Girl






























This blog is by Gayla Trail who is a writer, photographer and a graphics designer. She has authored three incredible books about gardening, she is also a regular food gardening columnist for The Globe Mail and a frequent speaker about everything to do with gardening. Her forte is urban and organic gardening.

What I like the most about her website is the creativity in it; you will realize that she has a unique style of inspiring you through beautiful photographs clicked by her and her interesting approach towards contemporary gardening brings a whole new perspective.

"One of the main reasons I started You Grow Girl™ over a decade ago was because I could not find a gardening media that reflected my experiences as a young, urban gardener working with a microscopic budget. I seemed to be the antithesis of everything a gardener was represented to be, and my gardens (the hot roof of my apartment building and a scrap of City-owned land alongside) were definitely not the sort of green spaces fancy magazines sent photographers out to capture." 

With this I wrap my list of top gardening blogs and I am sure there are many more out there, so do share them with me in the comment section below.