Getting ready for the Masters

Last fall, when the local chapter of Master Gardeners asked if I would do a zoom presentation from my garden in April to celebrate the publication of my new book, I was happy to comply. It sounded like a great thing to do. Since I’d be the one behind the camera, I could point it to the most beautiful of the flowers, easily skipping over the weeds, the unkempt and the unwanted. But then the world began to open up again and they asked it they could come in person. In two weeks. YIKES!

It’s like getting ready for my sixth grade piano recital, practicing for the school play and inviting my favorite teacher over for lunch, all rolled into one. These people are MASTER gardeners, there’s no cutting corners or bluffing my way through this one.

And so, I’ve been in a joyful frenzy. The first thing I did was to order 40 bales of pine straw. It’s not exactly like sweeping things under the rug but I have found that pine straw can cover a multitude of small sins in the garden. It shows intent, it delineates beds and paths and – most importantly of all – covers up weeds.

In a perfect world where I would be a perfect gardener, I’d fully weed an area before putting pine straw down but I’m on a tight schedule here, so it’s not exactly perfect gardening.

My next step was to go to the local nursery. Again, this is not how I usually garden but I needed color in a few dark corners so I bought whatever they had that was in bloom that would look as if it would settle in in a couple of weeks, and would look as if it belonged there. After all, I don’t want my garden to look staged, like I only stuck things in at the last minute. (hmmmmm)

The truth of the matter is, I’m way overreacting. My garden is a wild and exuberant display of spring perennials right now. Azaleas are heavily laden with pink and white blooms. Blue phlox is at its peak and looks stunning with the forget me nots and the pink violas that I planted last fall. The path to my studio is lined with simple English yellow primrose, Solomon’s seal are in full bloom and stand arching gracefully over a profusion of green and gold. Will it all last another two weeks? I really don’t know. A lot depends on the weather but then again everything in the garden depends on the weather. That’s what makes it so exciting. A garden is never “perfect” never at rest and never finished. Certainly Master Gardeners know this and I’m sure, don’t expect perfection.

But I want them to love my garden. They won’t love it as much as they love their own (or as much as I love my own), but I am sure that they will recognize my passion for these plants and my enthusiasm for digging in the dirt. There will be, I am sure, a lively exchange of information and ideas and the satisfaction of spending time with people who share love and passion for something. Especially a garden.

And, what could be better than having a whole flock of Master Gardeners doing a house call? Just think how much I’ll learn!

All to say, I’m still spreading all that pine straw! My Mama used to say that the best way to get a clean house was to invite company. That goes double for when you invite the Masters. Sadie and I are excited.

My latest book, A Naturalist’s Book of Wildflowers is available here Amazon.       Bookshop.com.    Apple Books.   IndieBound   Barnes and Noble.