Over the years, I have met all sorts of people as a result of my personal and professional interest in gardening. Some of these experiences have been thrilling and joyful; others were colorful, frightening, a bit odd, or downright nuts. Some of the strangest conversations took place as I tended my former “Guerilla garden” on a busy Toronto street. I could write a book about the encounters I had there! Others happened spontaneously while biking around the city. You may also recall the Gardening Versus Porn guy and Charles’ the back alley tobacco grower. The one pleasure I derive from giving talks is the time afterwards when I sign books and have the chance to speak one-on-one with fellow gardeners. I enjoy hearing about what they are growing and connecting through our mutual enthusiasm. A few of my experiences as a gardener have even turned out to be the catalyst that lead to unexpected and lasting friendships.
The truth is that I never know where my passion for gardening will take me. It’s a solitary act that has brought me closer to people in ways I could not have anticipated.
For this prompt I want you to think about the person-to-person connections that you have made as a result of your experiences as a gardener.
Grow Write Guild Prompt #25: Write about someone you met through gardening or a specific garden.
Further Notes and Questions:
- How did you meet this person?
- Did the relationship grow or was the experience limited to a fleeting moment?
- Were you invited to view this person’s garden?
- Did they visit yours? What do you think was their experience of your garden?
- Rather than focussing on a single person, consider reflecting on the theme of connections/connecting as a whole. What sort of effect has your interest in gardening had on your social life or your view of human relationships?
The Grow Write Guild is a creative writing club for people who love to garden. Everyone is welcome to participate! Click over to the Grow Write Guild FAQ to learn more about it.
Funny, I was writing my piece from the last prompt about local community and victory gardens. Now I’ll just switch it up a little and write about the Portland rose gardens I visited to cover the last prompt. Both were great ideas, thanks for sharing!
When I tried to write about connecting through the garden, my mind kept running images of the “Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde. So, I’m yielding to Oscar.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/SelGia.shtml
Sam Webb
I could not believe it when I saw the size of your garden its nearly the same as mind only I have a carport in the bottom right hand side of my garden which has three recycling bins in it.
I would love to know what you planted in your garden and where it looks so good.
In the same size garden as yours mine has two apple trees, a lemon tree, olive tree, banana tree which are surrounded by 200 bulbs I planted last spring succulents, foxgloves, hollyhocks, sages, annuals and perennials and natives. A grapevine, cherry tomatoes from a bird, scented geraniums.
Then on the nature strip I have planted a fig tree, a climber and a quite a few more natives and succulents with grass which I would like to replace with more plants.
A few weeks ago when it was so dry I placed lots of hay around the plants and since then it has rained just about everyday and the garden looks fantastic ever since. I am not one to have tall at the back and short at the front as last year my Queen’s Anne Lace grew right next to the path and even my 6ft 5inch son said “Mum can you do something with this white plant I cant even walk down the path”.
I love looking at my garden and now I’m filling it with plants that the drought took my Daphne, a few natives that didn’t like the heat.
In amongst my garden I have managed to have a wet garden and have the downpipes runoff straight to it where my two cane chairs and umbrella are situated usually with my two cats sitting in either chair!
Rosemary
I didn’t know what you were you were going with this, at first, then it hit me. You were connecting throught the garden. Very clever. Sam Webb