Where to start? Exactly.

When I’m planning a project epic in scale – and every project tends to be some degree of epic in my mind – the starting line is daunting. Thoughts and ideas are battling it out; the lineup changes every other day. For me and my mental mess, the best way to start is to trick myself into making decisions. 

Have you ever been faced with two options, only to flip a coin? Heads is the latte and tails the mocha. You flip. It lands on tails, and suddenly the rules change to two out of three. You want the latte. You wanted the latte all along, and you just tricked yourself into making that decision. Really, it works.

Step One: Gather the things that make you go “hmmm” 
Inspiration can come from anywhere: books, magazines, garden tours, catalogs, Pinterest. If a vignette makes you stop, take note. It doesn’t have to be garden specific; the colors, textures, and tone of your personal style will resonate throughout your life, from your shoes to your art and definitely your garden.

Going old school inspiration with a glue stick

I’ve set up a 1326 Project Pinterest board and am pinning away. I also am a big fan of collages. Pinning and tearing and pinning and tearing and gluing. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as I like it. Projects, blooms, colors, the serious and the not so serious.

Step Two: Connect the dots
With the swipe of a glue stick and click of a shutter or mouse, you may not realize it, but you’re making decisions. Look for reoccurring thoughts and themes. Are there any flowers or colors that keep reappearing? Bam! You just tricked yourself into knowing exactly what you want. Sneaky. 

It's early to make any definite conclusions, but thus far, I’ve noticed two things. One, I have a weakness for overly frilly roses and peonies. Two, I’m drawn to the organized, clean look of raised bed vegetable gardens. It’s like a fancy formal garden without having to shape evergreens or stop for high tea.

Yes, everything outside is snow/ice/slush covered, but there are seven weeks until spring, plenty of time to start starting.