Harnett County Center
REFLECTING ON THE "WHY'S" OF GARDENING, 7/17/98
Since I'm normally so focused on "how" to garden, I thought it would be nice to reflect a bit on the "why" of gardening. After all, I doubt many of us would spend a lot of time pulling weeds and fighting Japanese beetles if the only result was dead weeds and dead beetles.
No, most of us are looking for something more than just the satisfaction of getting rid of nasty little buggers (though there's something to be said for that).
I must admit that dollar signs do enter the equation. After all, a nicely landscaped home will likely be easier to sell, and possibly bring a higher price. At least, that's partly how I justify all the time and expense to MY wife.
And of course there's the enjoyment we receive from the sight and smell of flowers. Amazing, isn't it, that there are such beautiful creations on this earth as roses, daylilies, and peonies.
But these are the easy answers, the "number one survey responses." I say there are other reasons, perhaps more important ones.
It's true that we live in a complicated world, full of stresses; too much work, too little time, and lots of responsibilities. We are all in need of refuge, a place to relax and get back in touch with the important things in life: family, friends, the pleasure of giving. And what better place to do that than in the shade of a maple, or surrounded by blooms of your favorite flower.
And this should be the starting point of landscaping. How do you build a space that invites you, that brings a smile to your face each time you pull into the driveway, that provides shelter and privacy for relaxing with family and friends.
Another of the important reasons is "stewardship." We must all be good stewards of this earth if our children are to have the quality of life that we enjoy now. And what better place to start than in our own backyards. As more natural areas are lost to development, our home landscapes become critical in providing habitat for birds, beneficial insects, and native plants.
Not a day passes without some mention in the news of the environment. And with a world population of nearly 6 billion people, and projected to reach 10 billion in a few short decades, the environment is something we all need to think about.
And this is why I tend to harp on conserving water, and using fertilizers and pesticides correctly. Pointing the finger is easy. Taking responsibility for our own actions is how we can actually make a difference. And when you consider that fact that there are twenty-five million acres of home lawns in the United States, you can begin to grasp the potential effect that fertilizer and pesticide misuse can have.
This is also why I stress the importance of taking care of the soil. We are so fortunate to live in the United States, truly a land of abundance. But that makes it easy to forget that our soil and water resources are finite. Soil that is lost to erosion takes decades to be replenished.
So the next time you're thinking about throwing in the towel, or just letting the crabgrass takeover, remember the "why's" of gardening: beauty, refuge, and stewardship. Then give me a call and I'll help you figure out the "how."
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