Do you have the ability to plant seeds or saplings, nurture them and watch them grow and thrive? Then you probably have a green thumb. So, is green thumb really hereditary? While a 'green thumb' is not truly hereditary in a biological sense, children who have watched their parents or grandparents gardening and have always enjoyed flowers and vegetables while growing up could also end up with a love for gardening. Now, this could be considered hereditary for if there are many kids in the house, one may take to gardening and one may not.

Also, even if two siblings from the same house enjoy gardening, one may inherit their ancestors 'green thumb' and have a lovely thriving garden while the other may only have a mediocre garden however hard he or she tries. There are many people who have testified on online blogs that they have inherited their love for gardening from their parent or grandparent. If you have enjoyed a lovely flower and vegetable garden when growing up and have fond memories of it, this will keep coming back even when you are far away from home.

For example, the smell of roses could remind you of your grandmother's rose garden and watching her in her gardening clothes bending over and tending to her rose bushes. You could remember times when as a kid you visited your grandparents during summer holidays and helped your grandma cut fresh roses for the living room and helped grandpa with the weeding. If you see fresh peas or peaches in the store, this could trigger other childhood memories of growing up at home, plucking and shelling peas for the pot roast and picking the ripest peaches for mom to make your favorite peach jam.

Now, as you grow and leave home and get a place of your own, these memories could translate to your wish to have your own flower or vegetable garden. This does not mean you will have a flourishing one like your mom and grandma did. If you had watched them and learnt from them while at the same time enjoying the garden, you could probably have a 'green thumb'. On the other hand, if you just enjoyed eating the peach jam and smelling the roses without bothering how to grow them, then you may not be able to have a successful garden.

One woman says that while her daughter has not inherited her 'green thumb', her son, the lady's grandson, enjoys gardening and will follow around and help his grandmother whenever he can. So, the 'green thumb' can skip a generation too! It is the desire to garden and a love for nature that counts and this should come from the heart. Do not fear, for if you wish to start your own garden, there are a few expert tips on developing your very own 'green thumb'.

Here are the tips to be a green thumb:

• Read up all you can about plant care
• Get complete set of gardening tools
• Be happy to get dirty
• Care for plants regularly
• Groom plants when required
• Propagate plants
• Enjoy your garden

Research different types of plants you wish to grow, the soil, what weather conditions are ideal etc., before you start your garden. If you feel the work seems too hard, stop right there and do not proceed. An uncared for, overgrown garden is a sorry sight.

If you decide to go ahead, get a proper set of ergonomically designed garden tools that will help you tend to your garden in the right way and efficiently. Getting dirty and muddy is part of the fun. Get gloves and be happy to dig in dirt and mulch and fertilizers. Caring for plants is very important - water them regularly and check them often for diseases, pests, too much or too little sun. Plants cannot grow on their own and need love and nurturing like pets. In fact, gardening experts say that talking to plants makes them flourish.

A 'green thumb' must learn to propagate, replant, repot, trim and prune plants. A properly nurtured garden will produce an abundance of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Indoor plants will need to be repotted and exposed to sunlight periodically. Finally, spend time enjoying your garden and introduce your family to the pleasures of gardening. Who knows, there could be another 'green thumb' ready to inherit your abilities in your own family.