Turn off and tune into the garden
Gardening in the near future may well be seen as an escape from the insanity that seems to have gripped much of our world these days. What of the person who finds herself overwhelmed by too much information overload? Sitting at the local coffee shop in Placerville we watched as one person after the other walked along the sidewalk with their “smart phones” glued to their ears. Tourists who had traveled far to see the “old west” in real life, we’re today more attuned to the sights and sounds of data bits coming to them through the ether.
We are entering a time when many will find themselves searching for a way out of the madness of always being “on”. Where will people go to find refuge? Let’s hope they discover the therapeutic qualities of gardening. Why can’t we find a few hours in the day to “turn off, and tune in” to the messages being sent to us by the plant world? Our wireless devices are preventing us from hearing those messages.
This can be our mission in the field of horticulture, especially those of us who deal with the gardening public directly. I know some in the trade don’t feel it’s their job to educate, or inspire. They just want to sell some plants and fertilizers, and hope for a profit at the end of the year. There is more going on this time around though. Today I believe we have a real and important opportunity to change the world for the better. If we can help show people that by entering the garden a whole new world emerges, many of their anxieties will fall away.
I agree with you, Trey. For us baby boomers, the message of our generation was ‘back to the garden’. Gardening was a much a spiritual exercise as a hobby. You can educate gardening as a means of relieving stress, healthy exercise, and a positive eco activity. Ideas tend to re-cycle. We need to convince young people the positive vibes of gardening even if it means taking care of a plant on an window sill in an apartment.
Al,
I think the younger generations are in great need of mentors for the outside world. We can be the ones, and with that we gain a lifetime student and customer.
Good post! People are going to need a place to tune out since the recession made them cut back on massages, yoga classes and extra vacations. Why not get the same benefit from your own backyard?
Thanks Kat,
I think there are many, many people who feel overwhelmed by events, and social media often exasperates that feeling. The garden, especially the edible garden requires care so you are sort of “forced” into maintaining it. You can skip the yoga class and not much happens. That’s always the hard part for most, getting to the event or place. Skip the garden on day and it can go south quick. The garden is that friend that pushes you to attend something that is good for you both.
We are lucky each day to be working in the environment we do, especially at the end when all computers are turned off and phones have stopped ringing.
We are “lucky”, and I think that’s a message we can share with people.
I think people are feeling beaten down but I just saw Disney’s trailer for their new movie The Odd Life of Timothy Green (coming out in August). It looks like just the feel good movie that will help promote plants and gardens. If this movie is a hit (and Disney has a good track record) this movie could really promote plants and gardens and the feel good message.
It is very true Trey Pitsenberger that we are entering a time when many will find themselves searching for a way out of the madness of always being “on”.
we are very lucky to work in this atmosphere.