Is your gradual garden stuck in the comfort zone?

Getting too comfortable in the garden? (public domain)

It's easy to get stuck in the gardening comfort zone when gradually working on your dream garden. Don't be afraid to move forward! For instance, your garden is zoned depending on your region. Based on that zone, you choose the herbs, vegetables, flowers, etc. that will do best. If you've been gardening for some time, you might slip into another zone altogether. It's called the comfort zone. This zone occurs when you plant the same things every year because they go well with your particular shade of green thumb. Are you stuck in a garden comfort zone? Here's some ways to make gardening an adventure again.

Find a new seed supplier.

Do you order from the same seed companies, year after year? If so, you're only seeing a small percentage of what's available. Go ahead and keep ordering your favorites if you wish. Just spice it up by finding a new supplier to supplement old favorites. Better yet, make an effort to stop seed monopoly by patronizing non-GMO seed sellers.

What's my new favorite?

Seeds Now carries non-GMO seeds. Not only that, delivery is super fast. Their prices are comparable to local stores.

Let someone else make some plant choices.

Unless you're a hermit, chances are, that vegetable garden you plant feeds more than just you. How about asking friends and family members what they'd like to see growing in it? I bet you didn't know Uncle Tom has a thing for zucchini bread or that Aunt Jane adores butternut squash. Why not make it your job to grow everyone their favorites this year? Better yet, invite them to join you in the garden. That way, you can all learn something new.

Don't forget:
Planting new florals keeps your curb appeal out of the comfort zone too.

Explore heirlooms.

Why grow those same old boring red tomatoes? Have you any idea how many varieties of heirloom tomatoes there are? I'm betting there are more than you could grow in your lifetime. Since these seeds are passed down through the generations, there's little need to worry about them being genetically modified. Wouldn't you love to be known as the crazy tomato lady?

Grow something ridiculous.

Heirlooms aren't the only crazy things you can grow. How about planting some walking onions? These babies walk across the garden and re-plant themselves. Maybe cucuzzi squash is more appealing to you. These squash resemble coiling snakes when full grown. They can be eaten or dried for use in craft projects.

Be a zone jumping rebel.

Just because the seed packet says it doesn't grow in zone 4, doesn't mean it won't. Why limit yourself? With a little tweaking and some TLC, you can grow whatever you want. Sure, you might have to build a greenhouse around that lemon tree. Think of yourself as a scientist. Experiment until you get it right. What if it doesn't work out? Who cares? Gardening is all about experimentation. Break out of your comfort zone and enjoy it.

This post was previously published by this author on a closed Yahoo! property