9 years of Digging

February 11, 2015
Anole on agave, one of my favorite garden photos
This Valentine’s Day will mark Digging’s 9th blogiversary, the day I first clicked Publish with an enthusiasm that hasn’t dimmed in nearly a decade of regular postings. That day in February 2006 I joined a small but fast-growing community of independent voices writing with an intense focus on local, real-life gardening. It was an exciting time. Suddenly, anyone who had something to say about gardening could say it freely, instantly, with no need for an editor’s approval. For those of us in regions perennially overlooked by gardening magazines and books — well, let’s just say there was a void in need of filling.

And boy, did we fill it.

Like most bloggers, I didn’t think of myself as a garden writer back then, and I was no gardening expert. I just wanted to share what I was observing and learning about gardening in central Texas. Along the way I found My People: those just as obsessed about gardening as I am. If you’re reading this, I count you among my garden-loving friends, even if we’ve never met and you’ve never commented (although I’d love it if you did).

You see, blogging for me has never been about creating “content” (ugh) or increasing my SEO, whatever that means. It’s about sharing and making personal connections. It’s a place of creativity and personal improvement. It’s about commemorating the ordinary yet extraordinary daily life of a garden — which represents all gardens, really — and what it means to be the one digging in it.

Thanks for digging alongside me.

All material © 2006-2015 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

48 responses to “9 years of Digging”

  1. Sharon says:

    Congratulations! It’s a wonderful blog!

  2. Alison says:

    Happy Blogiversary, Pam! You blog for all the same reasons I do.

  3. Happy happy day to you, thank you for all you contribute and thank you for making a place for Our People and including me. I am proud to be one! Happy Blogiversary, Pam!

  4. Evan says:

    Happy Blogiversary, Pam! I like your approach to blogging. It should be about having fun and making connections sharing what you love.

  5. Ginny says:

    Well, Yay! I always enjoy your blog, gal, even tho’ I dig in a zone 6 garden in Maryland. We have “digging” in common, and that’s enough. Keep on keepin’ on and I’ll keep reading. Thank you for writing DIGGING.

  6. Mark and Gaz says:

    Happy Blog Anniversary Pam and well said about your intentions, something we can relate too 🙂

  7. Caroline says:

    Yes! That’s why I love you, Pam! Proud to be one of Your People. Happy Bloggerversary!

  8. Judy says:

    Love reading your blog, Pam. Sometimes it even inspires me to get off my duff and go outside!
    Seriously, there are gardeners and garden-appreciators.
    I’m one of the latter.

  9. Congratulations Pam. I always enjoy your posts when I visit, even though our plants and environment are so different. (The plants make me drool and dream).

  10. rickii says:

    Well said, and OH, that photo!

  11. Rebecca says:

    Love the blog, Pam! I’m not even sure how I found your blog, but I’ve been reading regularly for about a year!

    I’m so proud of your anniversary, book success and feature in Southern Living! Keep up the great work, and Cheers to YOU!

  12. Wow. Time flies. You have created an amazing blog and brought information, vision and enjoyment to so many people, including me. I know there’s always something I want to read and see when you post, and I rarely miss it. Being one of your peeps and your garden travel buddy has been an e-ticket ride all the way. Congrats!

  13. Peter/Outlaw says:

    Happy Blogiversary! I feel the same way about blogging! It’s been a pleasure digging beside you. (I was going to say that it was fun getting dirty with you but people might misunderstand:)

  14. Melody McMahon says:

    Pam, I’ve so enjoyed your blog and learning from you about plants and places to see beautiful gardens. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and love of gardening with us other like minded gardeners. May you blog for many years to come!!!

  15. Dee Nash says:

    You know I’ve always loved your blog, and I have five agaves in the greenhouse because of your sweet photos. Thanks, too, for hosting the first bloggers’ fling. It’s grand that we all became such good friends.

    I agree that it’s nothing to do with SEO, content creation, etc. Instead, it’s really about just living life, in the garden and out, and observing what we see. Hugs dear friend.~~Dee

  16. Shirley says:

    Congratulations Pam, I’m glad to have found your blog to guide me through those first years of gardening in our region. I continue to learn so much from your posts. Thanks for showing the rest of us how it’s done.

    Nine this year means your next book launch will also be a celebration of a decade of blogging. Wow!

  17. Diana Studer says:

    Happy NINth blogaversary!
    I enjoy looking at gardens thru fresh eyes, different climate, different plants … and then I see a border of garlic chives and start planning!

  18. Lisa C.D. says:

    Congratulations Pam!!! I absolutely love that picture, it is simply great. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion.

  19. Congratulations, Pam! You’ve been a big inspiration for me.

  20. Candice says:

    Conratulations on your 9 years!

  21. Amen from the choir! Saw your post on FB Home & Garden Bloggers (I use my personal, not my blog ID, there). The personal connections are what got me started blogging 2 yrs ago. Gardening is one of my topics, along with buying/selling antiques and using them in home & garden. Congratulations on your 9 years of blogging. I’m a WV gardener, just on the edge of zone 7a (previously 6b until 2012 – I live alongside the Kanawha River). Your picture is great, reminds me of one I took on vacation in the Caribbean that I have on my Pinterest board. 🙂

  22. Laurie says:

    Congratulations! I found your blog and signed up to see more of your photos. Keep ’em coming…

  23. nancy c says:

    I’m also not sure how I found your blog a few years ago, but it is my favorite! And your observations about plants and design are always spot on. Your pictures are so inspirational. Thank you for taking the time to inform us, amuse us and entertain us!

  24. Gina Harlow says:

    Congratulations Pam! What an accomplishment. I love what you wrote about your pure love of gardening, your motivations for starting your blog. It’s something other gardeners can understand so well, and why you have connected with so many.

  25. Pam Duffy says:

    Pam,
    Congratulations on nine years of blogging. Though I didn’t find you (or check any blogs) until this past fall. You were referenced on Shirley’s blog and I’ve been following you both every day. I’m currently looking back at your archive photos. Thanks for taking me to gardens that I would not otherwise get to visit. Looking forward to your new book and hopefully an appearance on CTG when it comes out.

  26. Ally says:

    Happy Blogiversary! I’ve learned so much from you and other garden bloggers. Thanks for sharing!

  27. Congratulations, Pam! Here’s to nine more years (or more)! (Love the Anole photo at the beginning.)

  28. David says:

    Congratulations. thanks for your inspiring and fresh style. A moment to celebrate!

  29. Margaret Jones says:

    Nice job!!! and Happy Blogiversary from San Diego! Love your blog & look forward to it daily!!! You just keep right on girl! You are the best. Awesome photos & test!

  30. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    I feel like we are old friends Pam. Having had the pleasure of meeting you a couple of times at Spring Flings has reinforced that feeling. I love you and your blog. I hope you never tire of writing for us. I know I never tire of what you write and your beautiful photos. The one you have posted here I painted right after you posted it. I don’t remember when that was but I still think it is a great picture. Happy Blogiversary.

  31. Jean says:

    I love what you said about content and SEO. Hear, hear! I’m glad to count you among my gardening peeps. 🙂

  32. Jenn says:

    Been here for much of that time. Thank you so much.

  33. ks says:

    Congratulations Pam! Digging is really a gold standard of garden bloginess. So concise and clear in your descriptions, very journalistic (the old who what when why) and great photos.

  34. Congratulations on nine years! I probably said this before, but I first discovered Digging while searching the internet for information about various native plants. I did not even know what a blog was at that time. Now a day does not go by that I don’t check for a new post on Digging and I am six years into my own blog.

  35. Kris P says:

    9 years! (I’m not sure I’ve stayed with anything for 9 years – oh, except my marriage.) Congratulations Pam! Your blog is wonderful, as are your photos, and your book, and your support of blog-dom. Best wishes with all you endeavors.

  36. You nailed it, why we who have the passion do what we do. As opposed to those who “create content” (I’m ughing along with you)…congrats, keep it coming!

  37. Luisa says:

    Congratulations from a recent and devoted follower. As others have said, you’re an inspiration — long may you blog!!

  38. Jacqueline says:

    Congratulations! Great job!

    I’ve been followed your blog for about 1 year, thanks for sharing all these wonderful pictures and garden tours!

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

  39. Congratulations, Pam! We’ll follow on your heels with our 9th anniversary in October. Hasn’t it been an amazing journey?

  40. Nancy says:

    Congratulations! I wish I could remember how I found you but think it was a reference in something I read. Love your blogs and those of other bloggers I’ve found through you. Such inspiration! Love the anole photo, too.

  41. Congrats Pam on this wonderful very special anniversary. Like you I began blogging to share my observations and love of gardening and how it has affected my life. Here’s to many more years of sharing your garden with us through your books and blog posts.

  42. wendy says:

    Hello Pam nine years? wow! I’ve been visiting your blog for about 8 weeks. I purchased my first computer in mid december 2014 in order to start my own gardening blog. After my daughter,home visiting for the holidays,showed me where the power button was located I began looking at as many sites as possible. Over the last few weeks that list has been reduced to a handful,of which yours is one. Your blog is beautiful to look at and fun to read. thank you

  43. Jeanne says:

    Congratulations!

  44. Les says:

    Happy 9th Pam! I’ve enjoyed your words and images from the day I started to follow blogs. I also really appreciate what you are saying about filling voids in an overlooked area. Keep up the good work – please!

  45. Helen says:

    I remember yours was one of the first non UK blogs I found and I loved that it wasn’t about veg growing as most UK ones seemed to be back then. I remember when we met in SF I felt quite intimidated as I had admired your blog for so long.
    I agree with you about the reason for blogging, I love the contact and sharing of ideas

  46. Pam/Digging says:

    Thank you all so much for your very kind comments. My People! I’m glad you’re here, and I’m grateful to be part of the garden-loving online community. —Pam

  47. You’ve done what few have, continued to post religiously about your gardening fever! I’ve been blogging for some years myself, but my frequency has diminished. Still, I continue blogging for my own sake, journaling what has gone on here over the years. I mourn the loss of my first blog, hacked away from me, but I just started fresh. Congrats Pam!

  48. Gregory says:

    Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for filling that publishing void for us in other places. Your wisdom is appreciated, and your garden thoughts are inspiring.