You’re never truly alone in a garden. Birds, insects, and a brazen rabbit or two will generally be there to keep you company, along with the billions of industrious soil-dwellers beneath your feet. When the creatures ignore you and go about their business, it feels like a compliment and a reminder that we are all part of the same ecosystem.
Many of us are joined by loved ones who are no longer with us on earth when we are in a garden or out in nature. I know from experience that gardening is a constructive and comforting way to work through life’s biggest losses, and when something magical happens, I find myself saying, “Are you seeing this?” to the angels I hope are hovering nearby.
If you are a longtime reader, some of our current and past contributors may also be with you in the garden through ideas or techniques that you’ve incorporated into your own work. This issue is full of takeaway inspiration, like Paul Cappiello’s pointers for renovating an overgrown shrub, and Jennifer Benner’s weed-control strategies in our Healthy Garden department. We also have some fantastic gardens with design concepts you can try at home, whether your space is expansive (“Transforming a Large Property into a Functional Landscape”) or small (“Two Approaches to an Entryway Makeover”).
Working on this issue brought memories of an unexpected encounter that happened in one of those entryway gardens. I had finished recording a video with Robin Parsons (click here to watch the garden tour) and was focused on shooting photos when I suddenly locked eyes with the huge taxidermy brown bear standing just inside the front door. I laughed and said, “Are you seeing this?” to my angels, then went back to taking pictures. I think of it as further proof that although you never know what (or who) you’ll see when you’re in the great outdoors, you’ll never be alone.
| – Carol Collins, Editor in Chief
|
 |
Subscribe to Fine Gardening Today!
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point – no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.
