Happiness comes from gardening with others

At the beginning of our explorations of Happiness from Gardening, we noted that thinkers about the broader subject say that achieving one's personal form of happiness involves (a) a sense of control and autonomy over one's life, (b) being guided by meaning and purpose, and c) connecting with others.

Given that perspective, we have focused so far on handson gardening, thinking about gardening, and learning about gardening. The “learning” topic included two sections: resources and objectives.

Our next exploration addresses connecting with others.

Again, today's column includes photos within a category of garden plants that you are invited to identify. Decide on your idea of the category before looking at the answer at the end of the column.

Let's dive into today's topic: Linking with other gardeners.

As you interact with other gardeners, you could be a student, a teacher or a colleague. These are all honorable roles and you might switch between them as you connect with different people.

Even skilled gardeners can become students. As I mentioned in a recent column, when avid gardeners with years of hands-on experience become master gardener trainees, their gardening knowledge becomes broader and deeper. This training engenders their appreciation for the many aspects of gardening art and science.

All gardeners can become students from time to time as they hear from experts, either participating in training, watching a webinar, or engaging in casual conversations. Learning can be joyful and not at all embarrassing, as long as the teacher is being helpful and respectful. That has always been my experience. Gardeners

generally understand their own limited grasp of gardening's vast territory and pass it along to others with humility.

When your role transitions to the teacher, having been the student should guide you to being

helpful and respectful toward your student of the moment, including when sharing your knowledge with a fellow gardener.

You might also have opportunities to introduce children

to the pleasures of helping plants to grow. Gardening with children is a vital subdivision of the gardening world because it both enriches the child and preserves an important

TOM KARWIN — CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Firecracker Plant (Cuphea argenteus) is a petite repeat blooming plant that is native to Central America. It grows best in sunny areas and produces abundant small tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds.

Iceplant (Oscularia deltoides) a low-growing gray shrublet from South Africa. It has blue-green angular fleshy leaves with small, often reddish teeth. During spring into summer, when in full bloom, it provides a stunning show and the interesting foliage makes it an attractive year-round addition to the garden.