Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Respect


I went to a gardening lecture last spring, featuring a local garden 'expert'. This guy was conventional to the core, but what bothered me was that he opened the lecture by bashing the techniques of some nationally published books in a way that was disrespectful of the authors.

Now, I expect differences in ideas, techniques, and background, but I choose to celebrate the differences and find that more often than not, I can still learn from folks who disagree with me even on the deepest levels.

When I looked at going to the second class, I just couldn't face the idea of suffering through a guy that had no respect for his peers. So, I didn't go.

And what is the point? A lot of people that read this blog are on the edge of forward moving gardening. We are all likely to be teachers in the field at some point

When we get there, we need to be able to step back and say, 'No, I don't agree with many of the things you are doing, but I'm glad you are gardening. Oh, and by the way, here is something that has worked for me. I hope it will work for you as well.'

Peace be with you and let me know how your gardens are doing!

5 comments:

  1. I agree. I also believe i know the individual you speak of. I was irked at first but i then thought "you know what, even if his methods are a bit off base and full of holes, he's still getting people to get out there are start a garden, and that what counts."
    I had a customer come in to Vineyard Garden Center yesterday, she swore her friend had a plant that grew both potatoes AND tomatoes at the same time. Her friend wouldn't lie to her, she said.

    She was excited as can be to be starting her garden, i just went on to the next subject. The point of a garden is not a debate....it's just pure happiness.

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  2. One of my professors ordered a combination plant. He got a seed potato with a couple of tomato seeds nested in it.

    The plants are close enough you should be able to graft them, but I can't see that there would be enough energy to produce good quality on the spud or the tomato.

    I guess I'll just stick with the old fashioned methods.

    Rook

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  3. Hi potatoes are closely related to tomatoes (Solanum family) hence potato plants often bear small green fruits that closely resemble unripe tomatoes, which is perhaps the mistake Susie's customer's friend made - however these fruits are poisonous and should not be eaten!

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  4. I'm sure she has seen the same 'combination' I talked about above.

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  5. I must admit that I've never heard of a potato/tomato combination plant before but a search on Google brought this up http://www.microgear.net/gwinford/tompot.htm

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