Hello, everyone. My name is Rita, and I’m a plant addict. 

It started when a friend gave me some plants for free. She even planted them in the ground for me. I had never tried a flower garden before, but she convinced me to try it and assured me it would make me feel wonderful.

For a couple years, I was satisfied with being a social planter. I enjoyed a flower here or a plant there, but I didn’t have a problem. That all changed last year. I found myself at Home Depot, Walmart, Hazelwood Greenhouse & Nursery and Collector’s Showcase every day, looking for a fix. And sometimes I went to those places more than once a day.

I also bought all the paraphernalia I needed for the plants…what I couldn’t find at the places I’ve named, I found at the new Tractor Supply store, which opened in October of last year. I think that “Grand Opening” was when I began to think I might have a problem. Why else would I need three different shovels, a cultivator, and a garden pick?

This growing season was when my addiction really got out of control. Before you could say, “Holy Fertilizer,” I had the back of my CRV, the back seat and the front passenger seat full of plants. And it didn’t take long for me to graduate from annuals to perennials.

Even that changed when the small perennials weren’t enough anymore. I needed more. So, I added Knockout Roses. Before the day was over, I was shopping for Drift Roses, Mexican Petunias and Angel’s Trumpet.  I began to think I was in trouble. My fingernails are chipped and broken, my ankles are grubby from the dirt and most of my clothes are permanently stained.

When I sent my husband to the store for garden soil, peat moss, and fertilizer, I told him to get a little from all the stores. I didn’t want anyone to see how much I was using. By then, he was worried and wanted me to seek help, so I did. The help desk at Home Depot, Mr. Hazelwood and Diane Seals from Collector’s Showcase were only too happy to help me.

I think I’ve got this under control now, and I can quit plants any time I want. But why would I want to do that? Have you seen the gorgeous mums at most of the dealers I’ve named? The purple mums and the yellow ones are nice, but those white mums…my, oh my! I’m thinking two of them would be lovely.

It’s not too late for you to put a few plants in the ground. There’s no need to leave Pell City when all our local stores have everything you need. And I believe strongly in shopping local if at all possible. It’s even likely some of your friends are dealers and would be glad to pass a plant or two along to get you started. Who knows? You might be the next one to turn casual gardening into an obsession. 

Disclaimer: Although this article uses humor to talk about gardening, addiction in any form is not a joking matter. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, please seek help from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon or a professional. New Pathways in Pell City can give you information on all these options. Their phone number is 205-814-1423.