Comments on: Gardeners; More Alike than Different

By: Seasonal Wisdom

Seasonal Wisdom — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:13:34 +0000

Just happened to come across your delightful post. I agree with you. We really do have more things in common than we know. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and lovely photos on the topic. And have a great holiday season. It was terrific meeting you this year. Teresa

By: Scott Hokunson

Scott Hokunson — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:45:05 +0000

Laura, the messages that resonate within a community, are often the hardest to read and always the hardest to write. Bravo for baring your soul here, in a post that will give us all something to think about. You are spot on describing Hort people, kind to a fault, opinionated and stubborn. All qualities brought out through their passion. I don’t have the answers, at one point I thought I did, but like you, I struggle with doing what I perceive to be right and accepting that which others do. In the end we all must walk our own path and follow it wherever it may lead, no matter how many obstacles are presented. You are on the right path, good luck with your journey.

By: 2 Green Acres

2 Green Acres — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:25:43 +0000

Great post. Like you, I focus on natives and vegetable gardening. I am 100% organic in the vegetable garden and try to be in the rest of the yard. As for the native plants, I use the 80/20 rule – 80% natives and no invasives. Also, the further from the house, the more natives.

I don’t think I come off as judgemental (I hope not), but I have had a couple of occasions where other gardeners start on a diatribe against native plants when I mention my interest in them. Although I would love everyone to plant more natives, I don’t preach to anyone about it (Unless they come to a class I give, and hey, then they are asking for it!).

I think this reaction might be because others have criticized their use of non-natives. Once they hear that I focus on native plants, they feel they need to go on the defensive. It is unfortunate, because it serves to shut down conversation between two people with a shared interest.

Even if we are planting different plants, I love talking to other gardeners because there is so much I can learn from them.

You know, as I am typing this, I wonder if this is just an example of the larger issue we have in this country where we can no longer have polite, calm, reasoned discussions about anything – politics, health care, etc. We seem to have this attitude that anyone who does not share our view on something is evil, crazy, or both.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:23:29 +0000

Great post and lovely pictures. Your post and the comments have made me think about some of my own gardening prejudices. While I feel passionate about the abuse of chemicals and the overuse of water, I also think there are lots of gray areas where right and wrong overlap.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:50:10 +0000

Wonderful post. I’ve been thinking along similar lines lately, but have not sat down and taken the time to express it as eloquently as you. Kudos! Now, I can just point to your blog and say “Yeah, that!”

By: Susan aka Miss R

Susan aka Miss R — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:23:00 +0000

I tagged you in my blog…blame it on Helen! http://www.susancohangardens.com/blog/?p=1956

By: Kenny

Kenny — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:57:54 +0000

Hello neighbor, great post and I’m glad to have discovered your site… found it through Twitter!

By: Dee/reddirtramblings

Dee/reddirtramblings — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:42:43 +0000

I enjoyed this very much, and I often feel the same way. Why can’t we all just get along? Human nature I suppose. I like your blog, and I found it through Facebook.~~Dee

By: Fern @ LOTB

Fern @ LOTB — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:32:45 +0000

I agree Laura. While I am happy with my decision to not spray chemicals on my plants, and to mix ornamentals and edibles, I’m cool with other people doing things differently. But I have to draw the line at responsible chemical use. If you’re going to spray your yard, at least do it according to responsible guidelines developed by your state’s extension office. So many people over spray and it has negative impacts on the environment that all of us have to deal with.

By: Ilona

Ilona — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:03 +0000

Garden bloggers must be entering an age of peace and love, because I had a parallel thought recently. One of the things I always liked about gardening was its encouragement of both the gentler nurturing part of me, and the part with attitude (” Die, Weed!”) .

Gardening isn’t about being PC, to me, but about an apprenticeship to nature.