once a month at a minimum and twice a month during gardening season

Today I learned a very important lesson about gardening that warrants passing along.  It is this...  the secret to being a successful gardener lies not in picking the right plants for the right spot,

or continually trying new flowers to spice things up,

nor is it feeding the birds. 

It is not about planting fragrant things near the comfortable chair you will be sitting in regularly in order to survey your garden, or the table close by to put your beverage on. 

It's not about taking garden statues from older ladies who need to be sure their treasures land in a new garden when they are ending their gardening days.

And finally, it's not about being a ruthless and unflinching pruner who fears neither bees nor snakes. 

All of these things are important mind you, but the single most important thing every successful gardener needs in order to endure and have flourishing gardens is.... someone they can go to regularly that knows how to give a fabulous hand massage.  Once a month at a minimum and twice a month during gardening season.  Trust me on this.