The trouble with gardening is that it does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession.
— Phyllis McGinley (1905-1978), American poet
Hortus Miscellaneous
A Garden’s Hodgepodge of Information & Instruction
By Lorene Edwards Forkner & Linda Plato
Sasquatch Books, 2007
From the Preface:
Most gardening books and journals are made up of facts and material that to the mere mortal appear to embody the concept of arcane with a capital A. Lunar cycles, weather patterns, design principles that include not only three dimensions but also are further complicated by notions of time and space, color theory, taste test, discipline, disease, pestilence, and physical labor—lots of physical labor, greed, envy, as well as most of the other deadly sins, and so much more—all held together by the thread of what many consider a dead language. Who cares?! We do.
Throughout history gardeners have recorded their discoveries, their tips, their successes, and their disappointments. This most ancient craft began as a physical necessity for survival, evolved to address domestic décor, and some would say has even been elevated to high art in the hands of the right creator. Hard science, mud-stained potting shed notes, old wives’ tales, folklore and superstition, happenstance, and habit have all contributed to this body of knowledge that we gardeners find so compelling. We are assured by the discover that nothing the garden itself has really changed—the sun, a seed, some moisture, and you have begun. It is our culture and our selves that change in response to making a garden, and that is a process of endless fascination. Plant the world and grow yourself.
The backstory:
My first book came about in heartbreak after the untimely death of my dear friend Linda Plato in 2005. Hortus Miscellaneous is a posthumous collaboration, a wild romp through our beloved horticulture and garden lore. All things being equal—I’d rather have Linda.