There is a trail of unfinished projects behind me at home and at work that would circle the Nursery twice. A half-built table, plans scribbled on fragments of cardboard boxes, garden beds started with absolute confidence and abandoned somewhere between “visionary” and “What was I thinking?” For years I just thought that was part of my personality. Ambitious. Distracted. Constantly chasing the next exciting thing before the current thing had a chance to settle into place. Seemed normal to me. Honestly, I’m not sure what it would feel like to fully finish a project and just enjoy it without constantly pivoting to the next thing.
A second problem is that I don’t dream small. When we created raised beds at home, I could have done neat rectangles in straight lines. Instead, I envisioned a giant mandala some thirty feet across that had to span a change in elevation of about 4 feet. Full confession: two years later it isn’t 100% completed. I don’t dream small. I never have. Sometimes that creates magic. Sometimes it creates a pile of lumber and unfinished plans sitting in the Florida sun.
And somehow, right in the middle of all that chaos, The Flower Patch happened.
What started as another “this might be fun” idea slowly turned into something real. It is colorful, imperfect, joyful, and honestly a little bigger than it probably should be. It’s another one of those designs where I could have done a bunch of simple lines and instead decided to turn it into a game of Tetris. Which means it fits me perfectly, and now, I suppose, you have a little insight into the inner workings of my brain.
So, imperfections and all, this weekend we’re opening The Flower Patch for a trial run, and I’d love for you to come experience it with us. Wander through the blooms, take pictures, bring the kids, laugh at whatever details I forgot to finish, and help us figure out what this little dream wants to become.
Maybe that’s the beauty of living life outside. Not every project has to be perfectly completed before it’s worth sharing. Sometimes growth happens in the middle of the mess. So come out and pick a pail of beautiful flowers to take home and enjoy, and of course don’t miss all the beauties that you can plant in your own garden at home. I know there is a massive dream project you can’t wait to start. . . even if you probably won’t finish it completely.
P.S. When you see The Flower Patch, you’ll probably think to yourself, “Yup, that Joey is a little crazy.” I promise, you have no idea what’s coming next. Keep your eyes peeled, the end of summer and fall are going to be real gems at Kerby’s Nursery.
