Gardening: Deeper Than The Roots

My plan today was to come in and tell everyone what we did this weekend, update everyone on how much we got done.  How many plants we bought… how it turned out after planting.  You know… pretty much like every Monday.  However, I wanted to talk on something a little deeper than how to water your root ball.

Shala & I love gardening.  We love growing our own veggies, we enjoy watching something grow from seed and mature into a fruit-bearing plant.  It is something that cannot be matched in our book.  The whole experience is special to us.  We think back on the year before and what we did or didn’t do.  It is a brain exercise that we constantly are doing, thinking back on plant names or what type of sun or watering they need.  You will be surprised how much data your lil brains can hold.

Plant Labels - AKA our life.

It is fun to walk through nurseries and see plants we have never seen or to see plants that have quietly become our favorites over the years.  Even small nurseries at the hardware store are worth a quick stroll through – and the big ones might take an hour of our time.  We talk with folks about what worked for them, or with the nursery owners or workers that are there for the people/plants more than the job.

Nursery (Casa Verde in Midland)

Sometimes we are looking at seeds or at plants and some older lady comes up and schools us on a few things…

“Have you ever grown from seed before?”

“You know that you can’t plant those facing West right?”

We smile and engage slightly and then joke about it as we walk away – knowing they are just speading their knowledge around, because in their eyes… gardening is a dying trend.  Little do they know… we are bringing it back.  Our generation will never let it die.

One of the best parts of gardening is the time we get to spend together.  I know all the guys are out there going…

“Is this guy for real??!?!  Is this the same guy that BBQs on the weekend and drinks beer?”

Yeah, it’s me.  The fat one with the beer planted firmly in his grasp.  But I am also the onet hat would much rather spend a day in the yard planting & pruning & weeding… with my wife, than anything else. 

Hate me if you want to, you are welcome to have your opinions – but I just speak the truth.  Being outside with your best friend and getting some time away from the TV, the internet… the phone… it is an escape like no other.  I suggest it to anyone that is having questions about life… you can find the answers in the garden.

So for those coming here today in hopes of finding a way to treat ants, or how to smoke some pork ribs even… have at it, but know that the things we do, we do for a deeper reason that the end result.  Gardening never really has an end result, a true gardener is never done.

And a true gardener knows that it is a lot deeper than the roots.

Ethel Gloves & Our First Video Blog (Vlog)

So yeah… we apologize in advance for this video.  I promise we will get better as we do it more.  I (James) used to do a lot of video editing, but it has been forever and honestly – I’m rusty.  So add that to the fact that my laptop was being a pain the asscrack last night… you get what you get.

The whole point of this is to show you the awesome package we got in the mail this week from Ethel Gloves.  You will remember they kicked off our National Gardening Month Give-aways last week and they also sent us a care package with some goodies.  But let’s let the video do the talking since it took like 900 hours to create last night!  Sorry for the quality and bad editing job… seriously, it will get better.  Enjoy!

Oh yeah… and if you haven’t – get you some Ethel Gloves!  Use discount code DOUBLEDANGER to get 10% off!


Ethel Gloves (new) from James Cross on Vimeo.

Gardeners Rejoice: Discount Codes For Gardening Supplies & A Few Freebies

We have worked to put together all the discount codes in the entire gardening world (ok, maybe 10 or so)… but still.  Here is a lot of codes to get you some supplies for your garden ON THE CHEAP!  If you have any you want to add, send them our way.

Gardening Discount Codes (Get ‘em while their hot!)

Ethel Gloves – Our good friends over @ Ethel Gloves have already went above & beyond when it comes to helping out gardeners online, but they also created a custom coupon code for our readers.  Use the discount code DOUBLEDANGER when checking out and receive 10% off your purchase.  We can’t say enough good things about them, so if you didn’t win our first give away of Ethel Gloves… you can save 10% off your purchase if nothing else!  Go get your glove on!

Foot Hill Worm Ranch – Matt @ the worm ranch has been generous enough to pass on a 10% discount to all our readers here at Double Danger.  If you are looking for some red worms, vermicompost or worm casting tea – GO CHECK HIM OUT!  Let him know we sent ya!

aHa! Modern Living – Jayme (as part of the give-away week) created a special discount JUST for our readers, and let me tell you… you could easily go broke @ aHa! – easily.  The discount code is doubledanger and it will get you 20% off any item (customer pays shipping).  This deal is good until April 30th, 2009.  So get over there and check it out!

Renee’s Garden Seeds – Renee has a deal going where you can get 10% off your seed purchases with the discount code of DSC091.  This was not one that was made specifically for Double Danger folks – but still… it was made for GARDENERS!  Go get your seeds!

Gardener’s Supply Company – This one is a lil more tricky but still… if it nets a discount, why worry about it right?  Go sign up for Gardener’s Supply Company’s Newsletter (which you can do here, while signing up for the large garden cart give-away at the same time) and they will email you with an offer for free shipping on your next orderFREE SHIPPING!  That could mean good things if you were getting a rain barrel or something.  Get going…

**just added**

Clearwater Landscape Market - Just got this code in, and if you see anything you like there – you can take 10% off of your purchase with the discount code: Spring09  Another great source for gardening supplies, so don’t hesitate to jump over there and pick up something you need… on the cheap of course!  Go get your gardening supplies!

Contests Contests/Freebies

Mr. Brownthumb – You didn’t win the Ethel Gloves we gave away last week?  Mr. Brownthumb is giving you a chance to win them for someone and yourself by simply justifying WHY that person deserves them.  Awesome idea and if you haven’t cried in a while – you will on this postGo win some Ethel Gloves!

loveMaegan/Be Smart Be Green – You didn’t win the eco bag from Be Smart Be Green last week?  No biggie, Maegan is giving away one every month.  Yup – it is pretty simple, just go read about it hereSo go get signed up for that free eco bag already!

Do you have a garden/green product that you want us to include here at a discount?  Do you have a discount code you want us to add?  Come on gardeners, we are in a recession – let’s help each other out in finding great deals on gardening supplies.  Support these folks, as they are supporting you!