Michelle Stoltzfus on Gardening
Michelle Stoltzfus left a hectic job at Hershey Medical Center for the quiet simplicity of Shiloh Nursery in Emgisville. Here, the 37-year-old stepmom of two shares her philosophy on gardening and life.
Michelle Stoltzfus holds a pot of pansies she planted for spring.
1. Where do you work?
Shiloh Nurseries in Emigsville. I’ve worked there six years.
2. Why did you start working there?
I had worked in an operating room at Hershey Medical Center 10 years prior to this. I just decided I wanted to have another job where I could spend a little more time at home. (Working at the nursery) is seasonal work, so there are times when it is slow. Obviously during the winter is our time to regroup. Spring and summer is busy.
3. Family?
My husband, Rod, and I and two step-daughters. Jessica is 17 and Katie is 15. They’re just really great kids and I love spending time with them.
4. What are your hobbies?
Definitely spending time with my family. My six cats. And the animals, that’s definitely a hobby. I personally am involved with my church. I spend a little bit of time volunteering there and doing some child care. We have a beautiful old farm house which provides endless projects.
5. How did you get into gardening?
As a little girl I’ve always loved flowers and just have been really involved outdoors — hiking and playing outside. It was in our family because my parents have run the nursery, so I grew up with it. Although I’ve definitely learned to appreciate it more with age. I’ve just learned to love and appreciate the beauty of our Earth. I’ve just learned to appreciate being a good steward of our Earth. I want to pass it on to our children in good shape. I’m definitely an advocate of loving the Earth and treating it with respect. I’ve learned to love the peacefulness of being in my yard and planting in my yard or in my pots and the joy of seeing what arises.
6. How do you make time for to garden?
I come home from the nursery and some days I’m pretty tired so I just burn off a little stress by planting a little bit. There’s other days when I have a lot more energy and I have an urgency to get home and get out there. I try to make time because I love to have flowers in the yard and my husband and I love to take care of our yard.
7. Do you incorporate your family into your gardening hobby, if so how?
Rod said, “Tell her my husband does it.” He’s very involved. He’s always out doing something in the yard. He loves to mow .¤.¤. I’m always bringing home trees and container and he’s always digging the holes. My daughters are involved. Now that they’re teenagers they definitely have more of a social life but we’ve always tried to do stuff as a family and that involves being outside and hiking and I think that’s good for them and a time to chill. For years the girls and I have planted sunflowers. We just stick them in the yard someplace sunny and literally you have this huge plant come out of the ground that’s so beautiful. Birds come later and eat the seeds.
8. What has gardening taught you about life?
I think it’s taught me to just appreciate what God has given us. It’s definitely given me feelings of peace and happiness. It’s taught me patience. You know, because I’ve tried to simplify my life and just slow down in this busy world.
9. Do you have any tips for people interested in getting into your gardening?
I would just say it’s absolutely trial and error. If you try something and it fails don’t get discouraged. It’s happened to me so many times and you learn from that and try again. And just have fun with it. If you can, try to be patient. I think that there’s a thrill to it, it’s just gratifying.
When planting annuals or flowers, check for sun or shade exposure and plant accordingly. For example, I use lots imptiens in my shade gardens and just vary the colors each year. When planting annuals or flowers, check for sun or shade exposure and plant accordingly. For example, I use lots of impatiens in my shade gardens and just vary the colors each year.
Finally, but most important, stop by a nursery or garden center to see what is growing and to ask questions.
10. If you had a motto for your life, what would it be?
What works for me, and what’s in my heart is everything you do just do it with kindness and love toward others.
11. What is your favorite part about gardening?
That is kind of hard. It shouldn’t be. I just feel one of my favorite things about it ... it gets me excited. I like that excitement. I look forward to all of it. I look forward to planting flowers. .. spring.. just all of it. Right now I have a 6-pack pansies sitting on my porch and I’m looking forward to putting them in a pot
12. What inspires you in life?
My faith and what I believe in. My family and my friends. And basically helping other is inspiring to me. Always make me feel good. ... I love talking to people and the public, young and old. I’ve learned a lot about gardening and really cool stories from elderly people.
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