Growing up with parents who are avid gardeners and with a big lot where we could all plant all we want, gardening has been part of my life. I remember my childhood days when after school we’d be doing our assigned chores around the garden.

My mom loves ornamentals and flowering plants while my father is all hooked into his tree nursery. A lot of people ask why we find gardening so gratifying, and we really can’t exactly say what makes it so pleasurable. Sometimes its like taking care of a child, and when it bears fruit or it flowers just looking at it is just heavenly. It also a plus that our yard looks great.

I am thankful for gardening for helping keep my parents fit and healthy. My dad has survived diabetes and cancer and he’s now a year from turning 80 yet he’s fit and healthy. A big factor is the time he spends exercising tending to his garden. It also keeps them from being so stressed and with a beautiful garden to look at,well worrisome thoughts would definitely be far from your mind.

This time though, our place in Phnom Penh is right at the city and doesn’t have much space for gardening, so I miss it terribly. Watering plants, fertilizing, weeding, even talking to plants I really miss. We plan on getting another place where we could have a garden in the next five years but for now I have to content myself with some small potted ornamentals and orchids..

Here’s some more photos of our garden back home in the Philippines..