"You know, some people were born with a silver spoon in their mouths. I was born with dirt under my fingernails."

This is one of Daphne resident and delightful gardener Lynn Ryan's favorite sayings.

Lynn, who is a retired Baldwin County educator, was blessed to grow up on a farm enriched with both fertile soil and fertile memories of a sweet time she so cherishes today.

"I learned to love growing things by watching and doing with my grandparents on the farm," says Lynn. "We grew our own food and saw things from start to finish. We owned and took care of cows and chickens and pigs, and I, as a child, helped care for them.

“We grew peas and then picked them and shelled them under the big pecan tree out back while my grandmother told me Bible stories. We shucked homegrown corn under that pecan tree and churned our own butter. I was very, very lucky — I had a great childhood."

The simplicity of her life in those early years spent with a family that nurtured respect for nature has remained an invaluable touchstone throughout Lynn's gardening journey.

"I feel sorry sometimes for our younger generation today," Lynn laments. "They are so busy with their phones and computers that many miss the most important connection of all — being in nature and seeing how their food is actually grown and being a part of that."

Lynn, who retired from 25-year teaching career, says she is busier now than she's ever been. She loves being outside, and her inviting yard in Old Daphne bears testament to that.

Lynn maintains flower gardens of perennials, annuals and bulbs and has a veritable grove of citrus trees that produce bountiful kumquats, lemons, blood oranges, and satsumas. The landscape in her shady backyard includes tropical bananas, calla lilies, kale, Mexican petunias, and a lovely,expansive pink ginger that shares its awe-inspiring clusters of blossoms just in time for Mother's Day in May.

Lynn grows tomatoes, several varieties of peppers, and herbs, such as dill and basil, both in the ground and featured in whimsical containers with brightly colored ornamentals.

When pressed to name her favorite flower, Lynn names the pansy, with its "sweet, little face and pop of color. To me, each one has a different face and personality," she says.

Lynn's gardening philosophy is eclectic.

“It is like decorating your house — plant and use what you like,” she says. “I probably break many conventional gardening rules."

Lynn's backyard, with its shady, park-like setting, is a vision of peace and tranquility that combines her favorite flowers with shade-loving ferns and the whimsy of garden statues of a pig, a chicken, and a goat.

"This is probably the closest I'll ever get to farming again," she says.

Scattered in pots or beds throughout the yard are geraniums, petunias, and begonias, all of which add their pretty faces and own particular charm.

"I love living here, where people take pride in their gardens and enjoy taking care with them," Lynn says. "Your yard is a reflection of who you are — it is a matter of pride."

When asked what she particularly likes about gardening, Lynn shares an old homily: "You can dig in the dirt to bury your troubles. I garden and I feel close to God and nature,” she says. “It brings me a lot of peace and happiness."

Lynn shares her happiness and gardening expertise with both her loving family, including her son Cole and fortunate friends who request her assistance in planning their gardens.

She uses the library to check out gardening books to answer any questions she may be unable to answer.

"I never stop learning and try to save time to help my mother in Loxley with her gardening, as well as to assist friends," she says. "I enjoy life now more than I ever have."

With her memories of growing up on a farm and the work ethic and values learned there from loving parents and grandparents, it is no wonder Lynn Ryan savors life as she does — looking through eyes that reflect nature's beauty back to her and sharing graciously of the bounty she receives every day.