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| Author's No.1 garden resouce |
What a happy coincidence! Ten years ago
this month, I spied The Gardener’s Bed-Book
upon the “Recommended Reading” table sponsored by the Michigan Horticultural
Therapy Association.
Perhaps you’ve never
heard of the group, or their annual conference. I hadn’t either until the
Conference Chair of 2012 invited me to speak about the therapeutic benefits of growing
lavender.
To better
illustrate the plant’s versatility, the committee included my lavender products
for sale. “And you’re welcome to sit in the workshops,” the Chair said.
I couldn’t have
imagined this perfect match! An entire day with people who understand the
healing relationship between plants and people.
First, to better
represent the MHTAC, here’s their description from their website: “Horticultural
Therapy is the participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a
registered horticultural therapist to achieve specific goals within an
established treatment, rehabilitation, or vocational plan. Horticultural
Therapy is an active process which occurs in the context of an established treatment
plan where the process itself is considered the therapeutic activity rather
than the end product.”
Indeed! That March
day within the lobby of Michigan State University’s greenhouse, I discovered
one of Richardson Wright’s many books—an author unknown to me (1887-1961).
The subtitle,
“short and long pieces to be read in bed by those who love green and growing
things” sold me. It seemed the perfect obliging book to nod off at night with
my head on the pillow and the light on.
Surprisingly, when
April rolled around, I decided to try Richardson’s witty and wise voice in the morning.
The Connecticuter’s final one-liners of garden advice developed into my
gardening directive for the day.
Although
congenial, Mr. Wright holds a gardener’s shovel to the manure and hands to
their secateurs. No matter the weather.
His January 20 bit
of advice, for instance. “All tree pruning should be finished before the end of
this month.”
I roll my eyes and
shiver. “Who’s he kidding? It’s ten degrees out there!”
February 21 he points
the procrastinator outdoors. “See that loose bark on fruit trees, where bugs
might hide, is now scraped off.”
“Now?! Today?!” I
ask. “I love my little fruit trees, but I’m not scraping off loose bark in that
icy wind!”
Endearingly, on
March 4 Richardson Wright offers me one last nudge. “All pruning of trees,
shrubs and vines should be finished before the sap starts to rise.”
I hear the plea my friend’s voice. On the
tenth anniversary of our morning meetings, I know he wrote this book because he
desires my garden success.
And it’s up to me,
even though I don’t know if the sap’s started to rise. How can I let down my
No.1 gardening resource? And my five fruit trees?
Dear Reader, a
fair day of sun and no wind, I gather my pruners and pink ladder and walk into
my orchard of two apple, two pear, and one peach tree.
Exhilarated, I
prune by the Wright book. Don’t worry about the sap rising. And get the job
done.
