One day I asked my husband how come he knew so much. "Because I've made more mistakes than other people," he replied.
Over the years that remark has stuck with me especially at times when I am pondering my contribution to some disaster and find myself muttering "I'll never do that again!"
With that in mind, I'd like to offer a few suggestions that might make gardening a little easier for some of us in the year ahead.
. Although propane flaming torches are a wonderfully organic way of weeding gravel, it's useful to remember that they will burn holes in any landscape fabric underneath.
. Since plant labels out in the garden tend to break, fade, snap or simply vanish, it's smart to keep the original plant label elsewhere-preferably in the same spot where all the others are.
. It's tempting fate to buy seed to plant in a garden bed which hasn't yet been constructed.
. When working with slopes, it's good to remember that seeds, pests and diseases almost always migrate downwind and downhill.
. Sometimes gardeners on slopes do also if they're not armed with a longhandled fork or spade for stability in emergencies.
. Metal wheelbarrows, drain spades, posthole diggers and chainsaws are not a good gift for gardening grannies no matter how tough they think they are.
. Peering close and closer to examine any staked plant, shrub or thorny rose is quite unwise unless you're wearing glasses. Otherwise you may get to participate in the human interest dramas of your local emergency department.
. Anyone who has ever raided their clothes closet (or a partner's) to wrap a precious containerized plant against brutal winter cold, may already have decided never to do that again. Storing a little stash of ripped sheets and ancient towels for emergencies causes less trouble.
. Some well-organized rural gardeners with bush trails learn to bring loppers with them on walks through the woods. Most of the others no longer have bush trails.
Seed catalogues lead lots of us into a fantasy world where we have all the time in the world, perfect gardening conditions and the energy we had as teens. It's a great way to spend January!
So as we move closer to Jan. 1, may I wish you many blessings in the New Year ahead-and happy gardening!
Anne Marrison enjoys answering garden questions. Send them to her via [email protected].
