1) The best way to garden is to put on a wide-brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. With a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell somebody else what to do. 2) If anybody has read about the dangers of gardening, I have some simple advice on how to avoid these.......stop reading. 3) Tools do not need to be expensive. Use what is available. Your knees for example. Perfect rock or stone detectors. 4) A man should never plant a garden larger than his wife can take care of. 5) The best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant 6) The real meaning of plant catalogue terminology: "A favourite of birds" means avoid planting near cars, pavements, or clothes lines. "Grows more beautiful each year" means "Looks like road-kill for the foreseeable future." "May require support" - an engineering degree may pay off. "Moisture-loving" plants. Not even YOU will kill them by over-watering "Vigorous" is the code for "has a compulsion to take over the world."
How True!!! I especially like rule #1, wish I could garden that way. #3 applies even if you are kneeling on a cushion, particularly the ones with holes on one end as a hand hold. My knees find rocks and stones in that small space every time.
I had to laugh out loud of #5. I've been telling my husband that for years but he still doesn't dare to weed between the flowers. He weeds willingly in the hosta borders, because he knows that the hostas are too big for him to remove by a mistake. I've got a few plants that "may require support" and some "vigorous" ones I'm desperately trying to get rid of too.
My wife and rule 5 go together, I try not let her anywhere near the flowers. In the past I have had to go through weeds rescuing plants to the tune of NO!! NO!! STOP!! STOP!! Now I suppose "Is this a weed?" is better than "Was this a weed?" She is, however, great at pruning bushes. I on the other hand cringe at the thought of clipping live branches. Jerry
Those are great! I especially like #4. Hubby was just asking me to help in the veggie garden the other day. My standard response from now on is "I have flowers to tend to!" And #5 is too true!
Eileen, those are so true! There is one other rule: Never go to a nursery to pick up just one little thing. Admit your weakness and go for it!
I like the catalog terminology... Vigorous... is such a nicer way of describing the vines that try to take over my yard every year. I would love to try rule # 1, at least once!
But Daisy... how much fun would it be letting someone else get dirty fingernails, sore muscles, picklies,etc?
Standing and giving directions is not a fun part of gardening. We had our "gardener" digging holes and planting things the other day. It was just what I wanted to be doing but was giving my knees a rest. I wonder if they are rested yet. I might try digging in the front yard tomorrow if it isn't too windy. dooley
