Hi all. It's me, Jerry Nielsen ;>)

Hi all,

My name is Jerry Nielsen. I began gardening with my grandfather when I was a child. He had a block deep garden with vegetables on one side and flowers on the other. The veggies were for the kitchen, of course, and the flowers were for my grandmother who felt called to visit the sick and alone and always took flowers when she called.

I think I inherited my love of the garden from my grandfather and from my father who also had a giant green thumb.

I first gardened using Mel's SFG system in the early 80's after I read his first book. Before that, I was a traditional row gardener. In fact, I taught organic gardening in the early 70's for the recreation department of the city of Sierra Madre, CA.

One of my proudest accomplishments is starting the Sierra Madre community gardens which are still thriving today. Of course, I taught row gardening then for the simple reason that it was the way my grandfather gardened. Sound familiar. ;>)

I put gardening on the back burner in 1987 when I went to work for Apple Computer as a technical and sales skill trainer, but I'm diving back into it now. I am studying for my SFG Foundation certification test so I can bring my teaching skills to the bear on promoting the new and improved SFG system.

OK. That's enough for now. I am going to pop into the general discussion forum and post a question. I'm really excited about participating with this obviously enthusiastic and knowledgeable group. I will contribute when I can, and I will be certain to make use of the combined knowledge available here.

Until then, I will leave you with the poem on a little iron trivet my grandmother left to me in her will. It hangs next to the door on the way out to my garden.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than any place else on earth.

Be well, and may your squares all flourish.

Jerry Nielsen

Welcome. I hope you will be a regular contributor here. I've been gardening the SFG way since the mid 80's as well, but this is my first year using Mel's mix and raised beds. A whole new learning experience!

Good to meet you. It sounds like you will be a real asset to the community. Although I have found that most of the members are assets. Welcome.

Welcome Jerry! Why do you have two addresses? Do you spend part of the year in each location? Where are you now?

I look forward to your contributions on the forum.

Hi Jerry, so glad to meet you. I grew up in a farming family as well, and am feeling a great sense of peace in finally returning to it once again in a small way. Be well!

Megan

Shoda wrote:Welcome Jerry! Why do you have two addresses? Do you spend part of the year in each location? Where are you now?

I look forward to your contributions on the forum.

Shoda,

I have asecond home in Chester.VT. 17 years ago my oldest daughter, Katy (trained as an opera singer), my wife and I started a tea room, B&B and gift shop in Chester, Rose Arbour. You can see it at http://www.rosearbour.com

My wife and I get back there four or five times a year so I don't get to garden in the Northeast. I'd like to try it sometime. Our youngest daughter, Suzy, who is an equine artist runs Rose Arbour for us now. She grows much of the produce we serve at Rose Arbour in raised beds out back. I'll get her switched over to SFG one of these days.

I just sent Mel's new book to my Katy who married a local pastor and lives in a beautiful 1860 New England farm house on 30 acres of meadow and forest. They hadn't gotten their garden in yet, so I thought I should strike while the iron was hot.

Sorry, a long answer to a short question, but Katy pulling up roots in California, moving to Vermont, and meeting the love of her life is really a great story.

Jerry Nielsen

Megan wrote:Hi Jerry, so glad to meet you. I grew up in a farming family as well, and am feeling a great sense of peace in finally returning to it once again in a small way. Be well!

Megan

Thanks for the welcome, Megan. Both my grandfather and father, who were both Danish immigrants, believed that people could not be truly healthy in body, mind, and spirit unless they got their hands in the soil periodically. I tend to agree.

Jerry Nielsen

Jerry,

That is a great story. Thanks for sharing it. Sounds like you are mostly in Pasadena now? I was wondering because I wasn't sure what zone you were in.

Happy gardening!

I am not too far from you in Winchester, CA. I always wanted to be bi-coastal, and may be yet. The other part of the family is in Rockport, MA. Love it but can't take the 9 months of winter!

Welcome, Jerry. Your family sounds lovely, and it appears you are already an experienced gardener. I can't wait to learn more from you.