How Much Time Does This Garden Take?

[@GardenBelle61]

Gardening is the single most enjoyable form of exercise👩🏻‍🌾🦋

[@tumbleweed57]

🌳🌳🌳

[@mysoutherngarden]

I’m only 5 minutes into your video but had to comment- it’s so true that little annoyances like not feeling like looking for gardening gloves will make me procrastinate doing things I need to do. Usually my things I procrastinate are like moving plants from one place to another if they’re getting too much or not enough sun, or something like that. Then once I actually do it I feel SO GOOD and am so happy afterwards. It’s like I carry a low level stress until I do it!

[@LindaVater]

Yes!

[@MsCavsfanatic]

I'm in the garden two hours every day, sometimes longer. Weeding is the worst; sitting back and looking at what it all brings is the best.

[@catherinecox8921]

What a great reminder in time management. Taking 5 minutes to be productive rather than twiddling my thumbs. I need to implement more of this in my life.

[@ClausDalbyEnglish]

Linda, always a joy to see you

[@LindaVater]

Thanks Claus!

[@shanachrisman6638]

Such a great concept - figuring out timing. Also - have all y'all see Jack Barnwell's recent "Grandma's Cottage" video? I was "today year's old" when I learned from that video the proper way to deadhead and trim geraniums. Who knew that the little stubs keep growing if you just clip them with a pruner or pinch them. He showed how to do it "correctly", and my geranium world has been rocked!

[@hilarytorres5361]

Weeding on a daily basis🌱 I set a timer for 15 on my phone and put it in my back pocket. With small clippers and a bucket, I keep up with the weeds!

[@tlew9429]

Timers are my friend😉😉

[@mysoutherngarden]

Brilliant!!!

[@maryeliason1504]

Mindful means really being in the moment & not in our head with all of our daily noise. Odd but mindful means LESS thinking. That us why I love gardening. I hear the birds & I look up, then I notice the sky, then the insects & lizards, etc. ........ 😊💕🌲 Caring for my plants takes me out of my self concern. Linda, you are so enthusiastic & positive it helps us to feel the same way. Thank you. ❤️💕😄

[@robintranchina6588]

I agree 100%! Linda is our therapist.

[@patsytag5703]

I am LOTS older then you so I don’t time myself to get something done, I say to myself “ oh just do it “ and afterwards I always feel good that I listened to myself 😂😂 love your videos 😊

[@adz5bneweng589]

I've found it easy to follow the o.h.i.o. rule (only handle it once). So I carry a basket to catch the cuttings (rather than piling them and then picking them up for the compost pile. Into the basket (for me it's a 5 gallon bucket) and into the compost - one step removed. Makes gardening easier. All those pile pickups take time and put wear on my back. Hope this helps. I spoke too soon - lol! Intentional inefficiency - love it!

[@SMElder-od5cl]

Many years ago, I read an article in Reader's Digest by a man who remodeled his entire house working 15 minutes a day. He made himself work 15,minutes every single day, even when he didn't feel like it. If he wanted to work longer he could. If not, he quit after 15 minutes. I think of that often when I'm weeding.

[@LindaVater]

That's definitely a good approach - the take on one thing at a time and each step forward matters.

[@franssusan]

Thanks for this timely time tip! In my area (middle Georgia near Atlanta) it's so miserably, wiltingly hot and humid this time of year that I hate being outside for very long. I've taught myself the value of doing small tasks that take maybe 10 - 15 mins. at a time each day. I've learned that I don't have to complete lengthy tasks all at once, and they still get done and I'm not miserable doing them for 10 mins. at a time. It's much easier to talk myself into doing things that need doing in this sweltering climate!

[@jeffreysharris]

Thank you so much Linda. It was wonderful meeting you and your garden is even more stunning in person!

[@LindaVater]

Thanks Jeff!

[@itsmewende]

You are a busy girl, I just had Garden Gate Mag in my feed and guess who was featured in some of those videos. I needed this one to kick my butt and get the little things done, like plant my geranium in the pot it's been sitting in for weeks. Thanks.!!

[@angiem8434]

Gardening is the only time I am not worried about time. It's the one thing I am truly mindful about. That being said I don't have large gardening areas..my gardening is at a size I can enjoy it..I thought about expanding but I don't want gardening to become work.

[@lesliebennis1834]

Love that you said you dont multitask, but you do one task at a time. I've been working on that. "To Do Two Things At Once Is To Do Neither" Publilius Syrus

[@jeanieh9386]

Gardening is such good exercise and absolutely so meditative. I love doing a morning walkabout and an evening too and making a list of projects. It is very humid today but still a delight to be in the garden grooming!

[@LindaVater]

Absolutely!! 😊

[@cketts8128]

I managed to find almost identical shears today, here in the U.K. Got lots of topiary and box hedges, so I’m excited to use them 😃. Thank so much for your lovely videos….we all look forward to them. I would say most chores around the house really don’t take as long as your brain is telling you! I’ve had to learn in the last couple of years how to break down chores as I’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, so now I just have to do this! 🧡💚🇬🇧.

[@lindylou3519]

Lol, love Stuart. My work out is unloading top soil & mulch, putting it in my wagon, rolling it one bag at a time to my beds, lifting again & dumping it out into the garden beds.

[@maryeliason1504]

I need those clippers! 💕 Yes about the intentional inefficiency. It really works. Just like parking way out from a store for the extra walking, etc. I love these visits. Thank you. Love the mat & your drapey top.

[@dianewerley1632]

Enjoy the beautiful weather-the humidity is here in Pittsburgh! I will also just give myself 5-10 minutes of time and whatever gets done, gets done. It’s amazing how much I can get done by just concentrating on one thing for a set amount of time. I like to use my watch timer. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden. Congratulations on getting your manuscript turned in. Woot-woot!! :)

[@ritasicari7518]

Hello from Irwin PA! Where in Pgh?

[@alice_rabbit8345]

I’m in Reading, the humidity has been awful. Between the heat and the arthritis in my back I do things in pockets of time and rest in between.

[@Rougebasque]

Love your French! Deadheading the cosmos is my satisfaction. I bought a garden bag with multiple pockets and put all my tools in. Whenever I go in the garden I take it with me. Having everything on hand makes it much more enjoyable.

[@valeriejenkins5011]

Congratulations on getting your book turned in! Hard work deserves recognition. I can’t wait to read it. 😊

[@lindajones2558]

"Intentionally inefficient..." love it! I'm using that! I've truly come to embrace my gardening and what a treat to add intentional inefficiency for health benefits!

[@wingingitsemiretiredlife2981]

One thing I did do this year that has saved me a lot of time was to mulch everything, it has cut down on weeds tremendously. I was hesitant because in the past I direct sowed a lot of my flowers but this year with bunnies and a groundhog what little I did direct sow was eaten. As I'm getting older I'm determined to make my space easier to manage so I can enjoy it more. I also eliminated half my pots which means less time devoted to watering.

[@annclark8573]

Your self discipline is marvelous and that seems to be how you accomplish so much. It's such a great example to those of us who procrastinate of which I am becoming a champion. Retirement offered it to me since I spent my whole career multitasking all day at work and at single parenting that rest of the time. Perhaps you'll inspire me in this area as well. Thank you, Linda. We here in the Shenandoah Valley of Va. are finally getting a bit of rain today. The ground is so dry that it's cracking in places, so the water bill will be sky high, but the plants are worth it. Ann

[@romiehutson5230]

Linda know that we love and sure appreciate you👏🏼👍🏼🙋🏻‍♀️

[@vickiehollandburch1285]

I would love to see you organize your storage area. Like where do you put pots, cutting tools, etc. are they ate in all one place? Please come to Peachtree city, Ga.

[@georgiacinq-mars1899]

Me too!

[@8Gammie]

I love when Stewart moves the camera in a shake or nod, in response to your comment. So cute! Great video with lots of tips!! Love your loose top and RED tennis shoes. I have Merrill red tennis shoes for my workout or 'walk the dog'. Just love my red!!! (and, yours, too!!!) love, hugs,prayers.

[@pinkfrangipani5131]

Love this Linda. I like to do a little, a lot. Your term of "intentional inefficiency' speaks to me, but I like that you verbalised it and gave it a special "term" as that is exactly what I do in and outside my home. Great content video, you have so much to offer the gardening world. Love from sunny Sydney, Australia.

[@deborahvaneman2713]

What a pleasure it is to watch your videos. I look forward to each and every one. I’m outside every day doing something. I enjoy all the seasons of the garden each bringing something different to do and to look at.

[@margaretchiodo-keller9361]

I love how you include splashes of color (the same color) in your garden. It really draws my attention to the different areas. I need to do this more in my gardens, rather than have many different colors everywhere. If you have not already done so, I would love to see a video on drying hydrangeas. I usually leave mine on the bush until mid Autumn, when they are turning brown, and then cut them back, and put into my unheated garage to overwinter. Then, the following spring, I take them out, and use in different displays. Another great video, and I truly enjoyed watching it.

[@Cenepk101]

It rains everyday. So I was having guests this afternoon & I wanted to put my new cushions on the deck furniture. I timed myself this morning. 2 minutes. I dread putting them out & back in which I have to do almost daily with these pop up storms. So - funny you said that. I thought- why do I dread something that takes 2 minutes???? Linda & I are simpatico !!!!!!

[@debbielombard5132]

You are so relatable and honest; it's a gift to watch your videos. I would love it if you could come to Boise, Id for your book tour; it wouldn't take much "time" for you to pop on over and see Laura from Garden Answer.

[@cathyhatfield5340]

I do the same thing to get steps in! But also you don’t hurt yourself lifting heavy amounts of things!

[@j.m.7056]

Same here, Cathy! I bought a wagon this year to tote things in the garden. It is very useful!

[@robintranchina6588]

Your Nandinas are filling in nicely. I weeded my backyard gardens this morning & it took 1.5 hours, but it looks so nice now that it’s done,

[@JLee-pc2vc]

That Encore Azalea looks like it could be Autumn Princess. Great time management tips today! Thanks!

[@gardeningonthewestforkwith8994]

I love this video! I agree with all your tips and wisdom! We all have the same amount of time in a day we must make great use! If only all of us realize to compartmentalizations simple chores👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@theresafleming652]

Congratulations on finalizing your new book, hope you,Stuart and significant others were able to celebrate this accomplishment.

[@dereeparker2437]

Thank you Linda. It’s always great to see your videos! I look forward to them because I make me have a good day🌞

[@LindaVater]

You are welcome! 😊

[@janetmills9406]

Beautiful. Those hydrangeas are drool- worthy!

[@peggy-ann1961]

As soon as your theme music starts I’m in a happy place! I’m a new subscriber from Manitoba Canada, zone 3. We are also in a severe drought here so not a great year for plants , but we do our best. Thanks for sharing your time with us! 🇨🇦

[@nancyfrost4512]

Haha me too! Love the theme music

[@DixieGirl9876]

Mine would be addressing pest issues, not sure why but I always seem to procrastinate doing those chores, which of course makes them an even bigger issue. My button bush doesn't bloom every year either. I add bits of my workout into my daily chores too, like loading the dryer, I do squats as I load it or waiting on the microwave I do leg lifts or counter push ups, every little bit helps. I have the whole day ahead of me tomorrow to (play) plant a new shade garden that I've been prepping for ( buying plants, a lot on those on sale too, hauling in compost and laying stones for the borders) now the fun part, planting. Lots of squats tomorrow! lol

[@adz5bneweng589]

Receiving my Barnel pruners today (from Big Frog Supply in case anyone is looking)! Can't wait.

[@cindydavison5278]

I think in the long run it’s easier to do some quick tasks daily then you don’t have a massive amount to do to tidy up the garden. Kind of like cleaning the house, do a room here and there and before you know it the house is tidy and clean as opposed to spending all day cleaning! Love the idea of strength over skinny! So true for our overall health! You’re looking great, Linda! ❤️

[@michaliareeton3247]

Hi Linda beautiful garden as always. I often in my garden at different times of the day doing bits here and there. I normally prefer been in the garden first thing in he morning. As it's so cool then. And l to set my self different areas in the garden to do. Before going to do something else. Love the button brush really lovely. I love your outfit to day..

[@donnasmith7668]

Oh Im so excited! I would love to meet you at a book store in Tulsa! You have given me so much great advice. I love thrifting and your outfits! Congratulations on all your success!!!

[@reneem2468]

Hi Linda thanks again for video PLEASE come to the Jersey Shore! You’d love the beautiful hydrangeas we have by the ocean!!

[@pamelaritch8587]

Great advice! You got a lot done in 32 minutes. 😁

[@joanotto9984]

I get up early and work at deadheading and weeding for about an hour 4-5 days a week. Then 15 minutes to water my pots. Rest of time in garden is pure relaxing.

[@NewMindGarden]

Absolutely Fabulous.. 🌸🌸🌿🌿👍👍👌👌

[@fannieallen6005]

My exercise for the past few days had been putting corn in the freezer and canning it also. My garden has been neglected for 3 days now. I wish you so much luck with your book and products. Gorgeous garden.

[@LindaVater]

Thank you. 😊

[@lesliewingenfield4062]

Please consider adding Charleston, SC, to your book tour. There are many beautiful gardens to see downtown with the historic homes, as well as the plantation gardens. I am a volunteer gardener at Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner, SC, and would love to show you around!

[@tumbleweed57]

I needed new pruners and ordered the Barnells. They cam today and I will be using them tomorrow. I appreciate the recommendations you have and that the LV Insider group shares. I am going to treat my new shears better than my last pair!🌳🌳🌳

[@lm8006]

Love the timing idea to break through on the to-do list (and the focus on any blockers so you can create a workable strategy to combat those). Thinking in zones or tool-driven helps me too. If you’re thinking about ideas to acknowledge the good deeds that come your way, I suggest “Thankful Thursday” (to go along with your penchant for alliteration (a la Wednesday Walkabout) 😀

[@sarahsiskin6780]

I weed 15-20 minutes a day at my own house and around the same at the community/pantry garden I have beds at, where I grow more vegetables. We all have to volunteer at the pantry part of that garden so maybe an hour a week, cumulatively, on that section. I love it.

[@terriechilton2544]

Linda, I look forward and enjoy your videos so much! You continue to inspire me and brightened my day! Thank you! Terrie in NC

[@vln4443]

Ok I'm gonna get some flack for saying this but .... this being "mindful' is a buzz kill for me. When I'm in my garden I am lost in my world and I don't consciously think and "plan" because as an accountant that is why I garden, to escape my type A personality. Appreciate your sense and sensibilities as always. Looking forward to your book!

[@margareteraab3899]

I agree with you. Sometimes I plant a little helter skelter instead of thinking it out. It still looks nice 🙂.

[@katiemoyer8679]

Consider expanding your definition of mindfulness, for example, include intuition. I sense you are doing this , maybe with little acknowledgement. When gardening you will be automatically grounding courtesy of Mother Earth herself, resetting your cellular structure.

[@LindaVater]

On the contrary, I agree with you completely! I think doing just what you’re doing and getting lost in the flow… Forgetting everything else… Is the essence of mindfulness. If in the process, I happen to think somethings through as part of a design that’s just all part of being attentive to it. As someone else said, I guess it’s how you define mindfulness? I’d love to hear other peoples thoughts on this!

[@nancydahl8209]

ditto!

[@rodneyfreeman4478]

Yes! I may be in and out of the garden a dozen times in the evening. My wife will ask me what I'm doing and my response is usually "nothing" which means I'm doing mindless activities in the garden! There's nothing better after having to be "mindful" at work all day!

[@cathyhatfield5340]

I have lots of time because I’m retired but living in Florida you only go out for shorts periods of time. Even at night as I’m watching you tube I take breaks and walk the garden dead heading , watering, spraying or whatever pops up😎 it’s never work!

[@wendyurban7722]

What a truly helpful video. Workout and garden cleanup all in one 💕

[@jeanninef2110]

I agree absolutely on taking afew minutes to deadhead and weeding! At the cottage, where the garden is bigger than I bargained for (belonged to my deceased mother in law), I quickly trimmed a little area of chives! And I replanted a border area of dianthus! Yay!! So happy it is done! And I thought it was going to be such a big thing! thanks for all your great ideas! And also confirmation on some of the techniques I use without knowing that it is one!! LOL!

[@lisah6159]

Congratulations the book has been completed and turned in!

[@romiehutson5230]

I don’t know why but the view from the back towards the house looks so magical vs the other way around

[@cynthiaszramowski7293]

Love your garden sheers!

[@Edu_Kate]

Oh gosh, Linda! I think we are twins or sisters for sure (though I'm a few months older). ☺️ I have to psych myself to do simple tasks and once I do them realize how little time it took. I visualize every step I have to do and make adjustments. I learned about zoning from Laura at Garden Answer. So each day of the week I work in one specific area. For example, on the south side of my house (traditionally, I never went there so it's been neglected far too long) I pulled weeds. I imagined the needed tools and start working that area. I have new tiger lilies planted there and support them with your copper-color tower. Determining the amount of time is always many more times than I expect so I have learned to accept that rather than beat myself up over incompleted tasks. My 89-year-old aunt (she's like a second mom) taught me to plan three tasks each day. I LOVE my Barnell pruning sheers! They made short work of cutting back my wild Ninebark. I, too, place a tarp under the hedge and cleanup is super easy. I should have done that task a few weeks earlier and revealed my broken dryer vent (varmints chewed the plastic) so the handyman could have replaced it when he replaced the higher vent for my bathroom. I'll figure it out. Women are resourceful, right? How ditzy am I? When I picked up 6 bags of mulch I also bought 3 calibrichoa and 3 salvia. It wasn't until some time later I realized all were annuals (I thought the salvia were perennials). Well, the 'Rockin Back to the Fuchsia' will look nice by the tiger lilies.

[@GardenBelle61]

Perfect place for the plant terrace🪴🪴🪴

[@jeannettejohnson2572]

This really speaks to me...procrastinating on short, simple tasks in home and garden! Thanks for breaking it all down!!😄

[@danielallen138]

It's interesting how Mother Nature to some degree dictates our allotment of time in the garden! Here in NE Ohio, we've had pop up showers every day for over a week, at times a DELUGE! Whereas a few weeks ago, watering took a good amount of time, with certain things needing to be watered twice a day, now it literally takes no time at all, LOL! The ground is so saturated, it makes it an excellent time for weeding. What I need to learn is to limit the time I spend doing certain things that are physically straining. Last evening, I was working in a bed of day lilies that have just finished blooming. It's an area I have fenced off to keep the deer out, which makes it a bit tricky to navigate. Once I was inside the enclosure, I wanted to complete the deadheading and cleanup. Alas, I overdid it and got a monstrous cramp in one of my legs... had to crawl to the fencing to pull myself up. I should have known better!

[@catherineteel4109]

Love this video! I start working in the garden and then don’t want to stop - could spend the entire day out there without hesitation if I didn’t have other priorities. Lol. But I’m with you on the unloading the dishwasher - which I really don’t understand because it takes all of about 5 minutes to do. Love the intentional inefficient method of getting in those steps in. I’m going to use that going forward. After having COVID last fall, I’m only aiming for 6K and I’m going back to the gym on the 15th to slowly work back into the BodyFit routine. You are a great inspiration! I truly believe, as does Nev, that gardening has helped heal me and you are one of the main influencers that has led me to the many joys of gardening. Thank you! Apologies for the long post. 💕🙏🏋️‍♀️🏋️

[@colleenepage]

The last thing I want to do is time my garden work. Gardening is leisurely for me.

[@alice_rabbit8345]

I can’t do too much bending due to the arthritis in my back so I always have a bucket with me for debris. Can’t wait to see what new products you make for QVC!!

[@bonitaharrison1037]

OMG! I can't wait to see the dried hydrangea's arrangement.

[@lblak59]

I went to the Dollar tree store yesterday and bought those scissors😊

[@deborahpellerito6117]

Me too I love them

[@lindabruce2815]

So did I.

[@adeletrimble4046]

Me too. 😎

[@lincasteel-butler531]

Book tour - would love to have you come to Portland OR. There is a hedge in the back of my garden that I put offffff forever. Hedge is plants I don't like anyway. Hubs. likes it though.

[@jillmcauley5291]

I am keeping a pair of snips by the door to take with me to deadhead the rose bushes by the mailbox. It literally takes seconds since I am doing it every day.

[@alice_rabbit8345]

I keep a basket on my front porch with snips, pruners, gloves, twine and a Hori Hori knife. I’m always ready!

[@debraguerrero9950]

Yes that’s awesome!

[@rondvu59]

I will unload your dishwasher 50 times for a pair of those wonderful hedge clippers. Day or night. :-)

[@teresasathoff2677]

whew! our walkabout is here!

[@Bunny-rh1yy]

Please consider coming to Page & Palette in Fairhope, Alabama on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. We would love it and I think you would enjoy our little town.

[@pamelawilliams7174]

I spent a week of vacation time in Fairhope and I loved this little town and surrounding areas.

[@wendywilson-fall3973]

My short term task is weeding. If I have twenty minutes or 45 minutes, I go out and pull out weeds after a rain, particularly.

[@chrismaraccini8108]

Yes please come to Chicago, zone 5.

[@Angela152half]

That unusual bush reminds me of something in Whoville.

[@dianeasberry7928]

Going back and fourth helps me get my steps in lol...I do the same thing! I even walk with my mower on my half acre yard instead of using my riding mower. I even do all my own weedeating. Gardening is my soul. My favorite analogy is ...how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

[@marianhintz9981]

Great tips!!

[@saraw8503]

It is crazy hot here in the humid July days of coastal NC. I feel a good hour, up to two hours, in the garden every morning is sufficient to keep weeds suppressed and plants watered.

[@lindabruce2815]

I would love if you would come to Tulsa on your book tour. I definitely would be there to meet you.

[@beverlyasleson3321]

Great video and I love that mat it’s awesome and nice of her to send you it. Your gym clothes are nice I like the big top and leggings I love New Balance I need a new pair I’m going to look for the same red ones do they have a number on it.

[@lynnedaniels650]

A few minutes for me can and often does turn into hours! ha ha ha! It's fine, it is a passion. 😊 P.S. and I live in a townhouse! 😅

[@josiemunoz1374]

I usually work 3 or 4 hours in garden. I pick one subject and that's what I work on. Then I work cleaning inside, quilting or crocheting. I am never Idle

[@cyoteg5025]

Where do you find the beautiful terra cotta pots with design like the ones on the top shelf of the topiary plant terrace around 4:33?

[@Catsanddogslivingtogether]

Hi Linda. I was very curious if it's possible to root some of the young clipping from the trees like you're able to do with boxwoods?

[@LindaVater]

It depends on what kind of tree and if it’s like a shrub… And Evergreen… Or another kind of tree. Just experiment and try! He can also Google it.

[@joywhitley3141]

I know it will make a wonderful coffee table book but are you considering making a Kindle version of your book? ❤️

[@shellg5335]

Hi Linda, I pre-ordered your book and would love to meet you and have you sign it. I live in Orange, Ca. Please think about coming to Newport Beach or the Orange area for a book tour signing. I love the items I purchased on QVC and all your other recommendations. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@judymiddleswart9350]

Great info

[@layersoflaurel]

Linda, could you please share the name of that chartreuse plant that's to the left of the topiary and close to the fence in the potager? You walk past it at 13:17 in. And it's directly behind that low growing shrub you were pruning from front to back. Also, is that burgundy-colored shrub directly in front of your black fence and nearest the acorn a Nandina? Many thanks!

[@barbaramoses3503]

Would much rather be outside with my plants, deadheading or pruning than loading and unloading the dishwasher🤪

[@romiehutson5230]

I love these long shrub pruners. How do you sharpen them

[@pinkfrangipani5131]

I think it is very sweet that you are so gracious in accepting visitors who turn up uninvited - but part of me thinks it is a bit invasive of your privacy that people have found your residential address. Sorry, I don't know what you and others think about this. Love from sunny Sydney, Australia.

[@georgiacinq-mars1899]

Great video! I will be trying to be aware of not only the time but also effort. My husband and I are trying to prepare to age in place but we also want to garden in place. I do anyway! Oh….COME TO PHILADELPHIA

[@j.m.7056]

One thing I did for aging was to purchase a waist high planter box. Garden standing up!

[@lindaortolano7837]

Hi Linda! Along with cleaning my house I also use gardening as my form of exercise! (Never thought about the weights though) Everything you said makes perfect sense!! As my Mother would say ...."In the time you spent complaining about it you could have had it done!" (LOL) How is it Mother always knows best? I enjoy all your videos! Have a great day! Hi Stewart!! :)