By Julie Christensen
If you love looking through glossy gardening magazines for inspiration, then you’ve got to try Pinterest. At Pinterest, gardening enthusiasts pin photos, articles and instructions, both for themselves and to share with others. Just click on a “pinner’s” board and you’re off and running. You can just follow your favorite pinners or you can create your own boards and pin favorite gardening photos there for later reference. At Pinterest, you’ll find millions of gardening ideas, free for the taking. Here are just a few of our favorite Pinterest gardeners.
First, head over to Kim Dushinski’s board. This Colorado girl loves both the pretty and the practical when it comes to gardening. You’ll find information and tips on growing herbs, creating beautiful raised vegetable gardens and composting just about anything you can think of. Kim’s board has lots of gorgeous photos depicting unusual flower arrangements and containers, as well as pavers and paths. Her board is both useful and visually appealing. If you like her gardening board, head over to Kim’s main page to view plenty of other interesting boards, like her flower board.
Next, visit Helen Weis, a landscape and container designer from Oklahoma. Weis has over 120 boards on everything from garden arbors to containers to succulents. Her boards have a decidedly elegant, modern feel with Asian influences. Weis knows how to add a touch of whimsy or wit to her otherwise sophisticated offerings. Here, you’ll find inspiration in a clever package.
Midwest landscape designer Nick McCullough has only 31 boards, but he’s gained a following of over 3 million pinners – and with good reason. Nick’s vegetable gardening board alone offers a wealth of helpful tips for both new and veteran gardeners. Did you know aspirin can treat fungal diseases? Borax zaps ant problems? How about a plan for building quick, but sturdy tomato cages? Nick’s board on water features is full of creative and beautiful ponds and fountains. Head over to his board on Martha Stewart’s farm for an insider’s view of her property.
Georgia garden designer Nancy Wallace has almost 200 boards that cover everything from growing dwarf fruit trees to planning and building a chicken coop. Her boards are especially helpful to southern gardeners, but she’s got something for everyone. She even has a fascinating board on carnivorous plants.
Although the most popular gardening boards take a generalist’s approach, there are several great boards for gardening specialties. Below are a few of our favorites.
If you’re interested in hydroponics, you’ve got to check out Patty Hoffert’s hydroponics board. She’s pinned everything you need to know to get started, plus lots of fun extras. Her beautiful pictures and designs make hydroponics seem almost whimsical.
Marsha Richardson’s board is an absolute paradise for the flower garden enthusiast. She’s pinned gorgeous photos of individual flowers, cottage gardens and numerous other inspirational flower gardening photos. Her photo of an amazing path made from sliced tree stumps is worth the visit alone.
If you’ve got an independent streak, you’ve got to visit Rosemary Stowe’s DIY Gardener board. She’s got ideas here for both the practical and creative. How about a homemade recipe for paper seed starting cups or beautiful citronella candles? Here you’ll find instructions for making everything from compost bins to chicken coops to a homemade heat lamp for seedlings.
Whether you’re dreaming of a potting shed, an artist’s retreat or a full-fledged barn, Angela Lind’s board will offer plenty of inspiration. She’s pinned dozens of pictures of simple sheds, old barns and charming cottages and playhouses.
June Kuiper is a master vegetable gardener and her board features ideas on everything from laying out your vegetable garden to growing specific veggies. Here you’ll find creative and whimsical ideas for tomato cages and structures. One pin includes 85 canning recipes to deal with your abundant harvest.
If you’re interested in growing fruit trees, berries and grapes, head over to Claire Perky’s board. She’s got photos and information on almost any fruit available, including citrus and blueberries. She’s also got a pin on proper pruning techniques.
When she’s not writing about gardening, food and canning, Julie Christensen enjoys spending time in her gardens, which includes perennials, vegetables and fruit trees. She’s written hundreds of gardening articles for the Gardening Channel, Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate, as well as several e-books.
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