A dream come true...

16 years ago

The things that happen out of the blue are what I love the most, and yesterday I couldn't believe what my dad had to tell me. Those of you that know me know I love native plants, and love growing them, but unfortunately have very little room to grow them (only a 30X3 section of my yard). Well, my dad comes home yesterday and tells me to get ready for this. He was talking to a client of his about me and how I'm majoring in horticulture and love growing native plants and experimenting with natives, and out of the blue she says, "I have 10 acres that used to be a corn field a few years ago, if he wants to use 1-2 acres of it to grow his plants and experiment on, he can have at it!" My jaw dropped. 1-2 acres?!!? For me to grow my natives!!!! YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! Literally my dream come true. I will be sure to keep you all posted on what happens next!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

shoregrowin
That is awesome news Philmont! Congrats on your dream come true. Life is good, huh?
Good luck in school, sounds like you have an amazing plan for your future.
Go man, Go!

Shore
shoregrowin
That is awesome news Philmont! Congrats on your dream come true. Life is good, huh?
Good luck in school, sounds like you have an amazing plan for your future.
Go man, Go!

Shore
Related Professionals
Fargo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Topeka Landscape Contractors · Norfolk Landscape Contractors · New York City Landscape Contractors · Sioux Falls Landscape Contractors · Sarnia Landscape Contractors · Victoria Landscape Contractors · Waco Cabinets & Cabinetry · Greenfield Cabinets & Cabinetry · Bangor Cabinets & Cabinetry · Muskegon Cabinets & Cabinetry · Beatrice Cabinets & Cabinetry · Tucson Cabinets & Cabinetry · San Luis Obispo Cabinets & Cabinetry · Portland Cabinets & Cabinetry
shoregrowin
That is awesome news Philmont! Congrats on your dream come true. Life is good, huh?
Good luck in school, sounds like you have an amazing plan for your future.
Go man, Go!

Shore
Nancy Olsen-Harbich
16 years ago
WOW!!That is an amazing offer. Have fun planning it all out!!!! Is is close by to your home?
kqcrna
16 years ago
Wow, philmont, that's great. Just think of all the trees you could plant in all that space.

I've lost track. How long have you been wintersowing, and how old are you now? You must be about our youngest member, and have persisted for years. I admire your tenacity and commitment. I have always thought of you as our mascot!

Karen
not_a_contessa
16 years ago
What an amazing thing to have happen, how wonderful for you. Good luck with your new adventures.

Mary
remy_gw
16 years ago
That is fantastic! You are a lucky guy with a great dad.
Remy
pitimpinai
16 years ago
That is wonderful, philmont. That is a lot of garden space.
I am so very happy for you...and jealous too.
What a great Thanksgiving & Christmas presents rolled on one. :-D
Your dad is one super father. :-)
plays_in_dirt_dirt
16 years ago
Philmont,

How wonderful to hear from you again. I have wondered what you were up to and figured you were busy with school studies. Congratulations on your good fortune. I know you will use it well and am happy for you. Keep us posted.

Barbara in Virginia
diggerdee zone 6 CT
16 years ago
Holy Moly! That is incredible! Wow, I'm jealous too, lol. Congratulations to you. This is just so wonderful. Like Barbara said, I know you will put it to good use.

Have fun!!!
:)
Dee
terrene
16 years ago
Great news! Now you have some place to grow your trees! :) Is this property close to where you live or go to school?

I can SO understand your happiness, I too love to WS and grow native plants. I have 1.25 acres to play with, however, it was neglected and extremely overgrown with invasive plants when I moved here. Half my time and money goes to removing those, that I've been working on for 5 years now. Hopefully you will have a blank slate to work with.

Keep us updated. I wanna see pics!
carrie630
16 years ago
Great news, philmont - I've wondered where you've been... i can't wait to read all the answers to the above questions - I wish you lots of "fun and luck"...

Carrie
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
16 years ago
Philmont, if anyone deserves this opportunity, it's' you! I am so very happy for you. I suppose you have a ton of tree saplings by now looking for a home? [g] I hope that you will take lots of photos and post them here frequently. Thanks for sharing your great news with us! :-)

PM2
tiffy_z5_6_can
16 years ago
What a great opportunity!!! Can I be you? I'm envious and am also excited about your future with those two acres. Definitely keep us posted. :O)
Pamchesbay
16 years ago
philmont: We've never met but I'd like to find your twin in southeastern VA. We have 5 1/2 acres on the Chesapeake Bay. After Hurricane Isabel, all the trees were down or leaning, so we had to clear the land. When we finished, I had a blank slate and it drove me crazy. I love trees, propagating, the works.

I'm reforesting part of the land but have 1-2 acres available for a good cause. Your dad's client may feel the same way - delighted because you will put her land to good use. This sounds like a win-win for both of you - congratulations!
girlgroupgirl
16 years ago
Pam, could your local botanical gardens use 1-2 acres for something? Growing out propagated plants or using the property as demonstration gardens for something they don't have room for? I know they have many active volunteers there.
drippy
16 years ago
Philmont, that's a true blessing, and, I'm inclined to feel, a bit of a reward as well. You (and other young people like you) ARE the hope of this old world's future! Congratulations, and best wishes with your endeavors.
Pamchesbay
16 years ago
girlgroupgirl: I wish! We live in a rural area, the nearest botanical gardens are in Norfolk/Va Beach and Richmond - both 1 1/2 hrs away.

When I read Philmont's post, it hit me that another Philmont may live nearby and I wouldn't know. I'll ask around - the extension agent, the Master Gardeners, the maritime museum and nature park.

I'm growing on part of the land, but 5 1/2 acres is a bit overwhelming. My dream is to use native plants to create a series of informal gardens. I didn't know where to begin so I started planting little trees - over 1000 seedlings in 2008, 200 in 2009, another 200 this winter. I planted a grove of bald cypresses, 2 groves of longleaf pines, lots of oaks. The black locusts are over 20,' so the land doesn't look so barren now.

Sorry, I got carried away writing this!
philmont_709n2
Original Author
16 years ago
Yep, its pretty close to my home in Ohio, about a 20 minute drive.
This will be my 5th year wintersowing, and I am currently 19. Havent been able to post very often because I am majoring in horticulture at West Virginia University and that keeps me busy and I can't work in my garden all year round like I could in high school.
I have taught myself most things about plants and animals but have learned a lot from people on this forum and others on gardenweb. So I already know many things being taught in my classes which has led to me dominating every horticulture and plant science class.
I have been thinking about this alot lately and i think im going to plant a bunch of my natives, which shouldnt take up much space right away and experiment with growing pumpkins or melons or some other annual crop to make some nice profit and probably split that with the landowner until I have enough money to buy my own nice big tract of land. I already have almost $2000 saved up from this year to go towards land.
I'm in WV right now but I'll keep you posted! Thanks!