TAKE A GARDEN QUIZ

I've always thought of myself as being passionate about gardening and based on the results of the online quiz, “Whats your garden style?” (www.quibblo.com/.../What-is-your-garden-stylem), I am! According to this quiz, gardening (for me) is an all encompassing way of life, continuously on my mind, working towards self sufficiency. From heat to weeds, I enjoy it all. It allows me to connect with nature, and to “just be” in my happy place.

Have you ever given thought to how you would describe the look of your gardens? When it comes to my own I would describe them as a bit willy nilly. So, I took the quiz, “What's your garden personality” by Canadian living (www.canadianliving.com/home-and-garden/article/quiz-what). The results? The garden style that best fits my personality is an English cottage garden. This style of gardening is not for those who play by the rules. Anything goes and you will try at least once, twice maybe three times (insanity or determination?) something new. The English cottage garden is informal with a blend of ornamental, annuals and edibles such as herbs, fruit trees and vegetables.

Are you familiar with the name Capability Brown? If so, you may be able to call yourself a “pro gardener”. When you are not toying in your garden then most likely you are at the local garden center where as in the show “CHEERS” everybody knows your name. You may not think that you are an expert but take this quiz from stuff.co.nz (www.stuff.co.nz/.../Whats-your-gardening-personality ) and find out if you garden like a pro! And Capability Brown, he was a landscape architect from 18^th century and considered England’s greatest gardener.

If you would say that your method of weed control is to pull them out, the sunflower is your first choice when it comes to annuals and you know what the word “bolting” means then you are truly a “green fingered gardening god” (www.playbuzz.com/.../whats-your-gardening-personality). You may own a half dozen pairs of gardening gloves but you have no trouble digging into the dirt with your bare hands!

If you do wear gloves then you may be interested in this quiz by The Garden Glove (www.thegardenglove.com/quiz-what-is-your-garden-style/ ). Take this five question quiz to learn what garden style is right for you and tips on how to create it.

If you answered with mostly A's, then you enjoy a “Nature Lovers Garden”. You love mother nature and take your cues from her. Your garden is not traditional and a bit wild. The emphasis may be on native plants but there is still a lot of creativity.

A Modern Garden (mostly B's) focuses on “less is more” and keeping things simple. The use of repetition in plant choices, color and plant placement puts the focus on hardscaping, form and texture.

I answered with mostly C's which resulted in the “Country Garden” Not as wild as a nature lovers garden the country garden is informal and tend to be a mix of many different types of plants but with a feeling of uniformity. The country gardener is always learning, not afraid to experiment nor are they afraid to change things up as needed.

French formal gardens are best viewed from a distance and usually includes straight lines of precision cut hedges, square beds, a water feature, statues and brick or stone pathways to give it a sense of order. If this is more your garden style then you answered with mostly D's.

Believe it or not, Sears has a quiz: What's your garden design style? (www.searshomeservices.com/blog/quiz-whats-your) Regardless if you are new to gardening or have been at it for a long time, this quiz will reveal if English Cottage, Asian-Inspired, Modern or Eco- Friendly expresses your inner gardener.

I was unaware that there are different types of gardeners so I took the quiz “What type of gardener are you? (www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=NjI) The results “Vegetational Deity”. (Vegetational of or pertaining to vegetation and deity, god or goddess). My garden is my domain and a representation of who I am. I will not hesitate to pull out plants that disappoint, move plants about the garden as needed and spend endless hours striving for perfection never to be satisfied. Based on this description it appears as if there is no end in sight!

For added fun (why not) I took the quiz “What's your mulch personality?” (www.bhg.com) Being a “true gardener” I prefer compost as my mulch of choice. What other kinds are there?

Lastly, the garden style quiz by Monrovia (www. monrovia.com) is designed to help you find which garden inspiration best fits your lifestyle. The results “Echo Friendly Garden” describes all Master Gardeners. It's principles are:

1. Go green by composting yard waste and kitchen scraps, reuse, re-purpose and recycle when ever possible, and water wisely.

2. “Do no harm” by going native, removing non- native, invasive species and avoiding the use of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers.

3. You love this planet and give back by providing food, water and shelter for pollinators and work with mother nature to create a friendly wildlife habitat. You also give back by volunteering your time in the community.

Explore the wold of gardening with on line self assessment quizzes and see how your garden grows!