Q&A WITH A HORTICULTURIST Annie

Abodes

GARDENING

Answering Your Blooming Questions

Q&A WITH HORTICULTURIST ANNIE STEENDAM  BY FAITH LEWIS

Q. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR PLANTS? A. The biggest mistake I see is folks growing succulents indoors. Most succulents are not happy growing indoors because there is not enough direct sunlight available.

Q. DO YOU REALLY THINK EVERYONE CAN FIND A PLANT THAT WORKS FOR THEM? A. Yes, yes, yes! I truly believe in setting people up for success with the right plant in the right spot in the right pot. When hunting for the perfect plant, it’s important to understand the lighting in your spot first. Is it going indoors? If so, what is the light level? Make sure you have enough light for the plant you have heart eyes for. Also, stop buying plants in planters that don’t have drainage holes.

Agriculture is the heart of San Joaquin County, but that doesn’t mean that everyone here has a green thumb. Horticulturalist Annie Steendam is a recent Stockton transplant eager to share her passion for teaching people how to help their plants thrive.

Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HORTICULTURIST AND A GARDENER? A. I mean, technically a horticulturist is supposed to be an “expert,” right? But you know what? That doesn’t exist. I mean, I studied horticulture in college, but I meet so many home gardeners that know so much more than I do. There are so many ways to grow plants and everyone has their own secret formula for success. It’s all about being willing to try and learning from the process.

Q. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR CULTIVATING A GREEN THUMB? A. Be willing to get your hands dirty and learn from the process. If the plant died in a certain spot, take a step back and analyze why. Learn from the process and then try again! Sometimes plants die and that doesn’t mean you have a black thumb – it means you have something to learn.

GET YOUR GROW ON

Annie started Tiny Terrains by Annie as a passion project to give herself room to be creative with succulent arrangements and other plant-centric art projects. Tiny Terrains has now grown to include regular classes and workshops in collaboration with The Catalyst Studio in Stockton and local wineries. Students learn how to care for their plants and are able make their own project such as a hanging Kokedama moss ball planter or a succulent arrangement. For info on upcoming classes, follow Annie on Instagram.

TINY TERRAINS BY ANNIE