Report From An Opinionated Gardener – May 5
Yes, it’s hard to believe but I’ve been hosting GardenLine on WXTK for ten years. How did this come to be? Well, I got hooked on radio when I did a weekly segment called “In The Garden Center” on The Cultivated Gardener, an NPR program hosted by Michael Weishan and produced by George Homsy.
When that program went off the air I approached WXTK, the top rated talk station in my area. They were in the process of changing station managers and were receptive to new programs, including the show I proposed, GardenLine, a two hour call in show heard every Saturday morning.
We’re celebrating ten years on WXTK this Saturday afternoon at Olivers in Yarmouthport, from 2 PM to 4 PM. Stop by to say hello, enter to win a door prize or ask about how to prune your hydrangeas. 🙂
Here’s what I’ve found to be true in the ten year’s I’ve hosted GardenLine:
- Your question is everyone’s question. Many of my listeners start by saying something like, “This is a silly question, but…” Rest assured…it’s frequently said because it’s very true: The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask. If you’re asking, know that hundreds of others want to hear the answer too.
- There’s always something more to learn. This is true for my listeners and me. I love it when someone asks a question that I don’t know the answer to…this gives me a chance to learn something new. My heartfelt thanks goes to those who stump me.
- Sometimes we never know the answer. Mother Nature has her own ways and they are rich and complex. Frequently we can puzzle out what went wrong or right, but sometimes we’re unable to figure out why one plant died and another thrived. If only plants could talk! On second thought, it’s probably better that they’re silent…otherwise the din would be constant as our landscaping shouted comments such as, “Would you turn on the hose already? If you were a plant you’d know that it was just a mist falling yesterday, not real rain.”
- My audience is gracious even when I tell them what they don’t want to hear. (Q: “How do I keep my Nikko Blue Hydrangea small?” A: “You can’t. Give it up.”) You folks are kind and polite even when I explain that there is no easy answer to your problem. Thanks.
I’ve often written about the various gifts that come from the garden…in fact, I’ve declared May to be Gifts From The Garden Month. On this fifth day in May I am here to say in all honesty that one of the things I’ve gained from my garden and gardening is all of you who listen to GardenLine. You are the individual blossoms that make up a lovely bouquet every Saturday morning and I’m so blessed to be a part of our weekly cultivation.
After a sleepless night followed by a jam packed day (mother-in-law who lives with us still sick, husband away, Mother’s Day weekend prep at the garden center, landscape consultations, preparing for GardenLine on Saturday, and writing the sermon for church on Sunday) I see a rainbow over Poison Ivy Acres and count my blessings. Thanks for your continual support.
