| One thing I've noticed in recent years (and | | | | appoint yourself as the official visiting |
| others have also mentioned in passing) is | | | | weed-puller or bug-stomper. Remember that one |
| that there seems to be more garden visitors | | | | person's "trash" may be another's "treasure." |
| who are "out of sorts" and, at times, | | | | Who knows...maybe they wanted that weed |
| downright disrespectful and thoughtless. I | | | | ("wildflower"?) there, and perhaps that |
| recently overheard a couple of avid gardeners | | | | squashed insect was a valuable, beneficial |
| remark that if they see another tumultuous | | | | type, nurtured and protected by its host. . |
| season like this one, they'll soon be | | | | .the now-offended resident gardener.Maintain |
| ex-gardeners! One even wished she'd designed | | | | an up-beat, positive, giving, sharing, and |
| a "secret" garden into her landscape, set | | | | pleasant attitude while visiting another's |
| aside only for her and close, trusted | | | | garden. Even if you see all sorts of terrible |
| friends.True, times like these do seem to | | | | things (mistakes, misadventures, unfinished |
| fray fragile nerves and stir up some deep | | | | tasks, weeds, bugs, diseases, stones, snaggly |
| frustrations. Polite society, however, | | | | trees and shrubs, pet residues, scattered |
| clearly requires garden visitors -- out of | | | | tools and hoses, odors, etc.), try hard to |
| sorts or not -- to observe a sort of "code" | | | | put a positive spin on even the worst of |
| to at least attempt to avoid trampling on | | | | circumstances. Avoid insensitive remarks like |
| another's sensitivities or property rights. | | | | "Oh, I see you have [some plant or other]; I |
| Here are a few suggestions to make your visit | | | | have one, too, but mine grows taller and has |
| to someone else's garden -- private or public | | | | better looking leaves and prettier flowers." |
| -- more pleasant, informative, and relaxing | | | | Another real "killer" goes something like, |
| while, at the same time, avoiding the ire of | | | | "Yeah...a hosta...I've got 25 different |
| its gardener or manager.For parents with | | | | varieties in my garden!"Finally, for you |
| youngsters in tow, one of the kindest things | | | | tobacco users, please don't grind out |
| you can do is to control your little ones | | | | cigarette butts or spit tobacco juice in |
| (and some which aren't so little, as well). | | | | others' gardens...and never light up a cigar |
| Filled with energy and exuberance, youngsters | | | | there, either! Most avid gardeners treasure |
| can do a great deal of damage as they race | | | | the sanctity, peacefulness and, hopefully, |
| around. Advise them to stay on paths; forbid | | | | the freshness and purity of air in their |
| rock-throwing, flower-picking, and | | | | garden retreats. Nothing invades that |
| branch-tugging; and assist them in keeping | | | | refreshing, rejuvenating, and clean |
| their sometimes cheeky remarks to | | | | micro-environment like the pervasive smell of |
| themselves.Domestic pets of visitors have no | | | | tobacco smoke -- especially the disagreeable |
| place wandering around in someone else's | | | | odor of a smoldering cigar. Few things are |
| garden. Yes, there may be a resident pooch or | | | | less pleasant to police up than someone |
| cat, but that's never a reason to turn your | | | | else's stomped-in cigar or cigarette butt.And |
| pet -- even cute little "lap-dogs" -- loose | | | | while on the subject, "field-stripping" a |
| to rip and tear, dig and chew, or otherwise | | | | cigarette (an old military trick intended to |
| "soil" the garden environment with their | | | | avoid detection by the enemy -- or the drill |
| wastes. Leaving Fido (or even worse, | | | | instructor in boot-camp) is just as bad, if |
| big-footed Boomer) home is always the safest | | | | not worse. Not too many people realize that |
| bet. Your friends will most certainly | | | | virtually every shred of processed tobacco is |
| appreciate the kindness. . .not to mention | | | | a potential source of a deadly agricultural |
| your deeply appreciated respect for their | | | | organism known as TSWV (tomato spotted wilt |
| "turf."Stepping off obvious paths to go | | | | virus). The malady can wreak havoc among many |
| plodding around in the cultivated soil of a | | | | different varieties in a once-healthy garden, |
| friend's garden is definitely out! You may do | | | | causing stunting of plants and a discolored |
| that in your own garden, but it's not going | | | | mosaic pattern on the leaves, accompanied by |
| to be appreciated by most of your | | | | unsightly leaf distortion (puckering). |
| friends...and, if you persist, may get you an | | | | Infected plants must be destroyed -- there is |
| invitation to leave. (Much of this annoying | | | | no cure, only prevention. So, if you're a |
| and now near-universal habit of modern | | | | smoker, the next time you visit a friend's |
| gardeners originated with the advent of | | | | (or public) garden, whip out a stick of |
| television. Turn on any gardening program and | | | | chewing gum...leave the smokes in your |
| see "experts" in total disregard for the | | | | pocket.It all boils down to this: treat |
| structure of soil as they tromp straight into | | | | others, their gardens -- and their gardening |
| a cultivated bed to achieve a better camera | | | | efforts -- with the same kind of respect, |
| angle.)Don't pick flowers, take seeds, or | | | | gentle honesty, and caring with which you'd |
| snip or pinch cuttings unless you've been | | | | like to be treated. Where have I heard that |
| invited to. Yes, I've seen it in my garden | | | | before?Fred Davis is a Master Gardener, |
| and the gardens of others. Often, offenders | | | | Master Composter, correspondent, lecturer, |
| will glance around first to see if they're | | | | co-owner/operator of a popular 18-year-old |
| being observed; then snip! or snatch!, and | | | | perennial nursery in south-central Maine, and |
| into a pocket or purse it goes. | | | | author of "Keys To The Garden Gate...Saying |
| Seed-snatchers, blossom-pickers, and | | | | Some Things That Need To Be Said. |
| cutting-crooks are rarely invited back.Don't | | | | |