Cultivating My Inner Tree

It’s almost 5pm. Yoga starts at 5:45pm. I’d love to go, but I know my body has had enough for today. Typing even feels a little much on my tired hands.

Shiloh and I had a great time driving to Woodinville and Kirkland today to pick up plants. The first stop had pulled our order, so it was a quick load up, pay and away. The second stop required we walk around to shop and pull our own plants. Fortunately, this nursery is super dog-friendly, so Shiloh got to cruise the nursery with me, off-leash no less. This was her first time shopping at the nursery, and I was thrilled with how well-behaved she was. She hung out very close to me and came to my side everytime I called her. She knew she was getting a special treat today. I just wish she hand an opposable thumb and could carry some plants for me.

Anyway, we shopped for a few hours, loaded up and rushed home. I wolfed down some lunch, jumped in the other car and raced to a pruning and transplanting appointment. For the next couple of hours, I instructed, dug, lifted, pruned, and so forth with my client. We had a great time, but my arms, shoulders and hands are really tired. My left forearm is even twitching, so as much as I would love to hit yoga, I think a salt bath is really what I need. Fortunately, Shiloh got plenty of walking time with me at the nursery, so she’s content. And, I don’t even need to cook dinner. We’re visiting a favorite restaurant on the 30/30 list.

So no yoga, but got loads of exercise and fresh air today!

Sunday I met with friends to work with them on planning their garden renovation for this season. For a few years we’ve been discussing this project and all knew that a small Stewartia in the middle of their yard would need to move to allow their garden to work the way they want it to. Yesterday four of us tackled the project and moved the tree into a better location. It took 4 people about 3 hours (12 man hours) to complete the job. I’ll try to write more later, with pix, of the experience.

Workout:

• Type: Other
• Date: 02/10/2008
• Time: 17:00:00
• Total Time: 3:00:00.00

Okay, I’m going to do it. I’ve hemmed & hawed about shamelessly self-promoting myself/tooting my own horn here, but with Kim’s encouragement and recalling a few questions here & there from some of you about “what is garden coaching?”, I’ve decided to write this post…

I’ve already written a similar post on my gardenhelp.org blog, but its time I share the good news with all of my Sweat365 friends as well….

The Pacific Northwest edition of Sunset magazine has a special “Inside Seattle” section in their September 2007 issue. (Unfortunately, this section isn’t in all printings outside the Seattle area.) Within this section, writer Jenny Cunningham details her first person experience working with her garden mentor — me! Photographer John Granen illustrated our adventures — even including Shiloh in one shot– through his beautiful photography. (If you know the Herb Farm cookbooks, you’re familiar with his work already.)

Obviously, this is terrific press coverage for me. Additionally, I’m thrilled that the press is getting the word out there that people should consider hiring a garden coach, explaining the services I offer & how fun and rewarding it is to work with a garden mentor. What I’ve learned from all the calls & emails responding to this article is that people are thrilled to find I offer this service. As I suspected when I began doing this work, it really bridges a gap in the industry. Since the article’s publication, I’ve even gotten calls & emails from people interested in giving a garden mentoring session as wedding and birthday gifts.

If you’re outside the Seattle area and are interested in reading this article, please contact Sunset Magazine by emailing readerletters@sunset.com or by calling 650-324-5778. If I find it linked online at some point, I’ll let you know.

Littleliz asked for some herb gardening info. Here’s some starting detail: http://www.gardenhelp.org/uncategorized/herbs-in-the-garden-some-thoughts/

I’ve started writing my gardening blogging on gardenhelp.org. If there’s interest among the Sweat365ers, I’ll continue to add information here.

 Today’s subject: Watering, Peach Brown Rot, Garden Phlox, and Squash Viruses - my daily journal.