About Us

Hi and welcome to my gardening blog!

I’m Amelia Oliver , a committed gardener with more than 25 years of experience at the ground level. I see gardening as an important aspect of my life, and I’m excited to take you through my journey—packed with a ton of sincere advice and, of course, a few laughs too.

I maintain vegetable, herb, and perennial gardens in Denver, Colorado, which falls under USDA hardiness zone 5b (characterized by a semi-arid climate with cold winters and warm summers).

In this zone, the average winter temperatures can drop to as low as -10°F, but the growing season is relatively long, typically spanning from mid-May to early October. This allows for a wide variety of plants to thrive.

My Journey

I started loving gardening in the backyard of my grandmother. In summer, I would spend hours each day with her while we were digging in the ground and putting seeds in the earth. I can still feel the excitement of seeing tiny sprouts shoot up from the ground, along with the aroma of fresh herbs filling the air as we harvested them for dinner. Those experiences embedded in me a strong appreciation for the beauty and abundance that nature supplies—together with the knowledge that having dirt beneath your nails is a mark of pride!

For several years now, I have created many gardens, such as compact arrangements on my apartment balcony and large vegetable gardens in my yard. One of my favorite memories is the very first time I cultivated heirloom tomatoes.

I was really proud of those brilliant red fruits, so I hosted friends for a pasta dinner with tomatoes I grew at home. The pleasure of sharing that meal, having nurtured each plant from it’s seed to harvest, was a real treat—that is, until someone wondered why my tomatoes were “so much bigger than the ones available at stores.” I answered, “Because they’re not observing a diet!”

Gardening Challenges

Indeed, Gardening offers a number of benefits, it is not completely free from challenges. There came a year when a surprising frost affected my plants as they were starting to grow. It disappointed me to see the damage, however, it has educated me about resilience and the ability to adapt.

After encountering that, I realized the importance of protecting my plants in advance—just as I would a blanket over my own kids! These activities have influenced my gardening methodology, reminding me that all challenges can result in important lessons—and possibly a few extra gray hairs.

My Mission

The intention behind this blog is to share tips, techniques, and the stories linked to my gardening experiences. Each time I’ve tried an unsuccessful experiment with new vegetable varieties (I’m thinking of you, purple carrots) or achieved a successful harvest that brought delight to my family, every tale adds up to the rewarding nature of gardening.

In addition, it offers a wealth of material for when pals wonder why they should establish their own garden—I can simply say, “So you can learn what not to do!”

I hold the belief that everyone can take pleasure in growing their own food, even if they only have a petite space.

I am hoping to inspire you to roll your sleeves up and engage with the soil, finding the delight of caring for plants—Together, we can explore the wonders of gardening and create our own stories along the way.

Thank you for being on this journey with me! If you have questions or would like to share your own gardening experiences (or just enjoy a bit of laughter at mine), reach out or comment at any time. Let’s grow together!