Hi again,“Eager to put the growing season in motion, should we look to a whimsical rodent or pin our hopes on an astronomical event?”
From my recent story about garden cycles in The Seattle Times. Hellebores, winter daphne, early crocus, even a scant few precocious, slug-gnawed blossoms of sweet violets—this is how I know the season is turning in my garden. Here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s time to soak and start sweet peas, sow garden peas and early greens, and begin cutting back and cleaning up the garden between squalls—so much rain this year in the Puget Sound region. I’m grateful to be out of the many flood zones, save for a gentle new stream in our basement. But a few weeks ago, on a brilliantly sunny and unseasonably warm day in Portland, Oregon, I had the privilege of introducing Jennifer Jewell, creator and host of the podcast ‘Cultivating Place’, to an audience of avid gardeners gathered to hear her speak about her new book, The Earth in Her Hands, 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants. (Timber Press) Jennifer’s book champions women who are planting spaces, exploring and preserving the botanical world, and those who spend their days creating and crafting with words, images and blossoms. The range and inclusivity of voices is the beating heart of this important book. I’m beyond honored to have been included in the work and will always and forever be grateful to Jennifer for sharing my story. As she often says, “We are our best selves in a garden.” Later this month, along with around 60,000 other eager garden lovers, I’ll be reveling in the spectacle that is the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival here in Seattle, February 26-March 1, 2020, at the Washington State Convention Center. This year’s show celebrates “Spring Fever” with more than 30 display garden and 100 free seminars and demonstrations. If you’re around, let’s connect! I’ll be speaking about Seeing Color in the Garden on Wednesday; Thursday I’m part of a panel of women talking about making a life/living in plants, again, led by Jennifer (see champion above); and Saturday it’s Garden Jeopardy Round 2: The Rematch! Don’t ask; just join the fun with Ciscoe Morris, Seattle’s favorite gardener, me and five other geeky garden nerds.
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