Gardening is an attempt to borrow bits of nature and put them together likely in ways nature did not intend. Alan Titchmarsh covers this well in is wonderful BBC series "How to be a Gardener" which I highly recommend. 

Most of us want a beautiful often dramatic blooms and verdant spaces to grow incredible plants. Most of the plants grown in most gardens would never meet up in nature. 

Try to remember the beauty of a garden is a creative work of art even if you are approaching in as a permaculturist, or using only native plants. 

We lived in an era blessed with information and instant access to good resources so gardening is much easier to learn and source.

The sky literally is the limit.

Nature is filled with plants, animals, insects, fungi and elements that can harm and even kill you. When you are gardening or simply walking in nature don't forget to learn whether or not the seemingly harmless plant, animal, mushroom, or bug is actually dangerous. 

Most people know toad stools like Amanita Muscaria aka Fly agaric are poisonous but most don't know about the far more dangerous Death Cap that can appear in your garden after lying dormant for years.

Similarly common beautiful bloomers like Datura, Larkspur, Hydrangea, Daffodil, Tansy Rhododendron, and Foxglove are poisonous as well but prized by gardeners for their dramatic beauty. 

Wolf's Bane for example is supposedly deadly to werewolves but actually it's an extremely dangerous bloom to handle for those not cursed by the moon.  Also called Monk's Hood it plays a staring role in quite a few murder mysteries- my favorites are "Monk's Hood"  from Ellis Peters. (a Cadfael episode too) and "Raisins and Almonds"  by Kerry Greenwood (also an episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.) 

A rather consistent trope within classic murder mysteries is the use of mushrooms, flowers, plants and seemingly harmless natural things as the method of killing a victim. Learn a much as you can about any plants you intend to grow because your pets and children can come in contact with some dreadful consequences. 

Why I don't have chickens anymore: a short explainer. 

Having some hens is all the rage in the gardening world these days. Everyone raves about the advantages of fresh eggs, good garden manure, etc. But in truth, buying fresh eggs from a farmer is cheaper and a lot less hassle- unless your garden is an actual farm. 

If you live anywhere with raccoons or other predators the chicken shed you need to build is an expensive fortress which  if your chickens have any freedom, might not be enough to save them from death by sneaky clever raccoons. 

Keeping hens, ducks, or goats is much like having pets it means you can't travel without arranging care,  there is always work and care taking involved, and many people will find it difficult to slaughter their own chickens when it's time. 

However, if you are committed it can be very rewarding but it requires both a financial investment and lots of your time in the beginning- time I find better spent with my plants. I also enjoy supporting local market folks who sell great eggs. 

When trees begin the show I am always in awe of how the blooms give way to budding fruit. This tree in my back yard in Portland Oregon would cover the street in "blossom snow" each year when March winds gave way to spring rains.

Fence line planting

View from garden bench in my "yarden"

one of 5 small rows of corn plants

This is what this what the house looked like when we bought it.

Original side lot

on part of side lot in March

side lot in April as warmth returns