My name is Shelley and I live in Colorado (Hardiness Zone 5). I live with my companion bird, Athena, and our two cats Luna and Boots, who all may or may not make appearances in the photos from time to time. After some major life changes, I am working on creating a life that is fulfilling, healthy, and peaceful. I am embracing my passions, and rediscovering joy in my life - hence the Diabolic Gardens!

My greatest inspiration for growing is my Mom. She has the most beautiful houseplants and outdoor gardens, and always has. The meticulous work she puts into them creates a breath-taking environment that matures in the most spectacular way. She is always adding that special plant or flower, and taking away the ones that aren't so great. She keeps it manageable. I guess that's the part that I didn't learn too well.

Now that he's retired, my Dad has re-ignited his green thumb, too. He is mostly into growing vegetables - a call back to his youth, being raised on a farm. He, too, is passionate about his yield, and I'm proud to say he grows in the indoor garden I got for him, too.

Yeah, I know, I know. Apparently I didn't have enough projects to work on... those who really know me can laugh at that - I do.

But really, I finally reached the point where my composition books just weren't cutting it. I kept losing them, too. While the last thing I want to do is spend more time online, and the sweet irony of a digital solution to an organic problem isn't wasted on me, I decided I'd better go a little less old school and start this website.

Of course, what I really wanted was a database, so after messing around for a while on Google Sites, I finally cut bait and started my own site, this site. If I was on social media I'd probably post on TikTok or whatever the kids are into these days. But with limited time I went for something as simple as, well as simple as growing plants. Duh.

I got my first AeroGarden over 20 years ago, about when they broke onto the scene. I think someone gave it to me as a gift. I grew the default "garden herbs" which fit nicely into both my love of plants and cooking.

I have always been fond of plants, though. I have an ancient and struggling corn plant that is about 28 years old, but he's the sole survivor from my younger days. I've lost a lot of plants (including my original hydroponic garden) to divorce. So it goes.

And to answer the other question... yes, I'm in therapy. And no, we don't spend a lot of time talking about the overwhelming responsibility of raising a million plants. Well, a little time, but apparently I have bigger problems.

Ok, long story. But the short of it is, I collected AeroGardens ever since that first one so long ago. I'd buy one every couple of years. And then I went to work for them, and they would pass out returned and refurbished gardens to the employees whenever they ran out of storage space. I would always wait until the last day and then take everything that no one else had claimed. I gave away a lot to charity auctions, friends, and of course kept some for myself.

But then AeroGarden got bought by Scotts, and the new gardens they came out with were just too much to resist. They don't give them out for free, but my employee discount coupled with knowing when sales are going on continues to feed my obsession. I'm not sure, but I might have one of each. (edit: I don't have a Farm 12 XL - resist, resist, resist!)

As far as non-garden plants, I get some from local nurseries and quite a few online (I'm a junkie for weird houseplants) - many of which I don't know how to care for properly and they die and have to be replaced until I figure it out (resist!). I also take on unwanted plants from friends, propagate for no good reason, and am irrationally compelled to start plants from seed.

Also people who know me know my obsession and give me plants for gifts, which I strongly encourage - especially weird ones, in case anyone I know is reading this...

Honestly... I'm an addict, through and through. Always have been. Some "passions" come and go, but there has always been one constant - the need to fill and surround my home with greenery.

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