Coast Gardener
Are You a Gardener or Yardner?
Coast Gardener Newspaper and Web Column - February 23, 2009
I was recently at a conference and listened to Allan Armitage talk about gardening as a four-letter word. For those who do not recognize this name, Allan is a well-known gardening author and entertaining horticulturist. Allan divided gardeners into four categories:
Category 1: Master Gardeners
Master gardeners are highly motivated about their gardening exploits
and those of others. These folks have taken the time to attend organized
classes, earn their Master Gardener status, and provide volunteer efforts
to improve their communities. Master Gardeners are also highly influential
and assist the Mississippi State University Extension Service by providing
help in the counties and making presentations to interested groups.
Category 2: Enthusiastic Gardeners
As the name suggests, these gardeners are excited their garden. They
are confident being in the garden. Enthusiastic gardeners find the
garden to be relaxing because they are successful in gardening pursuits
and do not worry about the failures.
Category 3: Enjoyable Gardeners
These gardeners enjoy their garden, but are unsure. They find the garden
to be a stressful environment and worry about every planting decision.
The garden enjoyment is tempered with the anxiety that planting/growing
directions are not exactly followed.
Category 4: Just Because You Have To Gardeners
This group looks at the garden as being work. These people are not gardeners,
but yardners. The lawn has to be cut, the garden beds have to weeded,
and flowers have to be planted. There is no joy in these gardens, just
work.
So under which category do you fall? Which category do you want to be in?
In a perfect world:
- We want the gardening public to enjoy their gardens, understanding that there is work involved. Consider this work as sweat equity.
- Do not worry following directions perfectly. There are many different paths to follow when planting the garden that end up at the same place.
- Do not get discouraged if a planting fails. It happens. Look at this situation as an opportunity to plant something new.
- Gardening is not rocket science. Try new plants and designs. Moreover, most importantly, relax and have fun with your garden.
Written by Dr. Gary R. Bachman, Assistant Extension Professor of Horticulture, Coastal Research & Extension Center.