Have you taken up gardening during the pandemic? You’re not alone. The hobby saw a huge boost in popularity worldwide as people sought a productive, relaxing way to pass the time at home. U.S.-based Burpee Seed Co. reported selling more seed last March than any time in their 144-year history, and Johnny’s Selected Seed noted a 270 percent increase in normal spring sales.
If you’re new to gardening and need some inspiration, meet two women whose green thumbs have earned awards and admiration.
GINNY MILSTEAD CONN
Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs
After remodeling her almost 100-year-old home— which was a two-year project — Ginny Milstead Conn turned her sights to landscaping.
“There were no trees, so that was the first priority,” says Conn, who won a $1,000 “outstanding renovation” prize from the Ocean Springs Historic Society in 2017. She used that money to buy new trees, she says, “as a way of giving back to the community forever,” and planted oaks, sweet bays and Japanese magnolias.
Any plant she picked had to be able to withstand full sun for up to 10 hours per day. She chose white agapanthus, Ligustrum, white mandevilla, Distylium, vintage jade, dianella and white verbena. The white theme was purposeful, she explains, as her yard is a long way from the street and she thinks the color shows up the best.
“I like raised beds, so I brought in huge trucks with 10 loads of soil and fertilizer mixture,” she says of the initial landscaping work. “The yard was planted by myself and one helper.”
Conn’s skills have been honored with Ocean Springs Garden Club awards, and she has enjoyed hosting garden enthusiasts on her property. She personally maintains her yard, including mowing nearly an acre of property.
“It is very rewarding when my community friends stroll or drive by and they comment on how much they enjoy my efforts,” she says.
CATHERINE LYON CHERNECKY
Sauvolle Court, Ocean Springs
Both her mother and maternal grandmother were gardeners, so Catherine Lyon Chernecky supposes it’s in her blood.
“I look forward to searching the garden centers for my plants two times a year,” she says. “Then, designing and planting day is a thrill!”
What you’ll see growing around Chernecky’s Ocean Springs home largely depends on the season. In the fall, she favors pansies, winter snapdragons, colorful Swiss chard, cyclamen and herbs. In April, she plants vinca, sweet potato vine, sun-tolerant begonias, coleus (particularly electric lime), sunpatiens, lantana and purple fountain grass.
After moving to the Coast from Atlanta, Chernecky says she was amazed by the area’s soaring temperatures.
“I had to experiment over the first few summers to find plants that can tolerate that intense heat,” she says. “Some of the plants you’ll find in the garden centers actually will not tolerate our summers, so be sure before you purchase or plant to do your research.”
Chernecky plans and designs the layout of all the flowers and plants, but professional landscapers from Lawns, Etc. do the installation. The result has earned Chernecky the Yard of the Month award for the neighborhood numerous times, and her yard also has been featured on the Southern Gardening Show with Dr. Gary Bachman.
“My husband and I so enjoy driving up to our house and being greeted by all that color!” Chernecky says. “It’s certainly not for others, although we hope our neighbors enjoy it, too; but it really gives us joy!”
