Cultivating My Inner Tree

For the past several years I have participated with the Northwest Flower and Garden Show as a volunteer, an attendee, and as an award-winning show garden designer. This year I’m looking forward to attending the show and volunteering once again.

The construction of the show begins at the Seattle Convention Center on Saturday, February 16th. By mid-day Tuesday, February 19th the show gardens will be completed and the judges will assess the results. On the evening of February 19th, the show floors open for the annual Arboretum Foundation fundraising gala event. This is a wonderful way to see the show gardens up close — with a glass of wine and fabulous catered meal in hand. Plus, it’s less crowded, fancier, and a great way to raise money for the Seattle Arboretum foundation. Yes, I’ll be there!

Bright and early on Wednesday the 20th I’ll be on the show floor “hosting” the WSNLA show garden for a few hours. Because I am a member of WSNLA, this is a garden that I try to help with each year.

Anyone who loves gardening or just loves looking at magnificent gardens will benefit from this show. Buy tickets early to save on entry costs.

And, if you’d like to learn more about the show, visit the show Flora blog where I’ve contributed some posts and have been interviewed by their regular writer for some of her other forthcoming articles.

WSNLA invited me to write an article for the Kplu.org and WSNLA.org information websites on the subject of gardening in the winter. Read more here if you’re interested in tips for gardening and caring for gardening tools now in order to make your garden lower maintenance for spring and summer.

btw: I have no idea who decided to call this “mowing in the wind” since this piece isn’t really about mowing at all.

On Saturday, January 12th I was presented with the “Young Member of the Year” award from WSNLA (The Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association). When the award was given, the presenter said that I received this award due to my outstanding volunteer contributions to the association and my exemplary representation as certified professional horticulturist in the year prior. I look forward to continuing to serve the industry, setting an example to all who seek to serve the public as a gardening professional.

I cannot thank my WSNLA peers enough for this honor. I cannot thank my clients enough for their support. I cannot thank my gardening mentors enough. Without all of them, I would not be nearly the garden mentor I am today. I promise to strive to live up to their examples and expectations.

The award was given at a saturday luncheon at the WSNLA annual conference, which was held in Port Ludlow, Washington. To get to Port Ludlow, I enjoyed a beautiful drive plus ferry ride. Port Ludlow is nestled into a cove in northwestern washington. As I crossed the last bridge, the clouds began to shatter and a rainbow appeared just in front of me. When that happened, I knew the day held great promise.

If you are interested in reading more about WSNLA and why this reward means so much to me, please visit the WSNLA Website.