Plants Add Happiness

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Karen Koziol

An interview with Karen Koziol

"The creative aspects of designing gardens, working with different plant colors and shapes are part of the excitement and why I garden," states Karen, Retail Customer Service Representative and Receptionist with Wenke Greenhouses.

"I feel a real connection to the land and that I'm doing my part to sustain it by gardening organically, improving the soil with compost and planting flowers that attract birds and butterflies, Karen continues. Being outdoors, figuring out where to create pockets of color and texture for my sunny and shady areas and then accenting the gardens with décor items is really magical to me and I just love it."

Karen's interest in gardening began with houseplants, African Violets when she and her husband lived in an apartment. As they purchased their first home and budgets were tight, Karen started growing flowers from seed. Over time she began purchasing other flowers to complement what she had grown from seed. At their current home, Karen now has 10 acres to design, enough soil to work to keep her busy for a number of years and sun/shade options to try a plethora of different flowers and shrubs.

"I plant, see how it grows in that location, determine if I like how it works for the area and then move it or leave it alone. One of the greatest pleasures of gardening is that there are so many possibilities and endless options, I look forward to gardening all year long and still get excited about it every spring," says Karen.

Karen completed her Master Gardening certification eight years ago not only for her own desire to be more knowledgeable but to assist beginning and experienced gardeners at the retail store. "Assisting customers and helping them make flower selections is like having another garden, I can put my 45 years of gardening to good work" Karen enthusiastically states. Karen and her husband Ken reside in Richland.