This interview is with Constance Sons, Owner at Native Wildflowers Nursery.

Constance Sons, Owner, Native Wildflowers Nursery

Constance, welcome to Gardening.guru! Could you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your passion for gardening?

I own a small plant nursery in Tennessee. My love for gardening and all things plants has grown over the years, and I find myself always wanting to know more. Plants offer so much more than a pretty yard. They are therapy to the mind and comfort to the soul.

How did your journey with gardening begin, and how has it evolved over time?

It all started when I married my husband 16 years ago. His family had been in the nursery/horticulture business for 3 generations. At first it was just a job, but the more I learned and had to actually start growing plants, the more I fell in love with them.

You mentioned having a dedicated shed for your gardening equipment. What are your top three must-have tools for any aspiring gardener, and why?

Top 3 would be a shovel, of course, a gardening water hose, and, when possible, a strong man with muscle to help. Haha, that sounds funny, but gardening is hard work, so when a lady can recruit her husband or a strong teenage boy, it makes all the difference.

Speaking of tools, many parents struggle with keeping children safe and engaged while gardening. How do you balance gardening with parenting, and do you have any tips for creating a family-friendly gardening experience?

Oh yes. Each summer, our family grows a vegetable garden. The kids are always involved. They don't always like the hard work, but once they see the plants grow and start to produce fruit, a light bulb of amazement comes on.

Light is crucial for indoor plants. What advice would you give to new gardeners who might not have optimal natural light in their homes?

Check the plant's light requirements before buying. As stated, lighting is key, so it is only detrimental to put a plant in a space that does not have the required lighting. Always read the labels.

Transitioning from indoor to outdoor spaces, what are some creative ways to blend your gardening passion with outdoor living, especially for families?

Most families (especially in the South) spend lots of time on the back porch, whether it be by the swimming pool or cooking on the grill. We always like to add plants to the porch. It not only makes the porch look better, but brings natural life to the space as well. Keeping the kids involved in caring for the plants helps them appreciate them as well.

Gardening often comes with challenges. Can you share a memorable gardening 'failure' you experienced and what valuable lesson you learned from it?

The old wives' tale in Tennessee is to never plant your vegetable garden before the oak leaves get as big as a rabbit's ear. This is to prevent frost, of course. One spring in April, our family was so excited to get the plants in the ground; we thought it was warm enough to plant, and our little plants were fine for about two weeks. Then a hard frost hit, and all of our plants died. All our time and money were wasted. So that taught us a hard lesson: Old-timers and old wives' tales were set in place for a reason. Mother Nature can be tough when she wants to be.

Finally, what is the most rewarding aspect of gardening for you, and what advice would you give to someone hesitant to start their own gardening journey?

The most rewarding aspect for me is knowing that I gave life to something. Watching something grow and change is so exciting. To a new gardener, I would say, "Go for it. Be patient, though. Gardening is a learning experience and sometimes can be tough, but the reward is always worth it."

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

No, thank you for your time and consideration.