Lesson from the garden

Recent days have resembled early spring rather than the middle of winter—temperature-wise that is. The random warm sunny days encourage many to get outside while the getting is good. Families utilize the sidewalks and trails for strolling and dog walking. Little ones practice balance and pedaling their shiny, new bikes. Future pitchers and sluggers begin spring training early at local baseball fields. Even gardeners get in on the action by raking another pile of leaves and collecting debris blown around by winter winds.

Mr. Gardener was motivated to piddle around outside as well. Materials needed for seed starting like trays, containers, soil and seeds, had collected in the garage, so he began transferring it all to the greenhouse. In a few weeks it will be time to start seeds, and he awaits the arrival of a new lighting system. (The woes of international distribution interrupted continue.) In the meantime, he cleaned and organized, making ready a new setup. With momentum like a locomotive, and an energized sense of accomplishment, Mr. Gardener moved on to the garden. Containers scattered around the landscape of pansies and ornamental cabbage that didn’t survive the December arctic blast were cleared. While at my desk working I heard raking, and decided to look outside to see what he was up to. By the time I got to the window, he was pruning the viburnum, the spring-blooming viburnum. I about lost my mind.

Let me pause here to say that I rarely (if ever) lose my temper. Well maybe when the kids were young and their table manners were atrocious then maybe, just maybe I would spontaneously combust into the-mean-mom. You know the one…. with her raised voice and flailing arms asking if anyone is listening??

So when I say I almost lost my mind, that really means I’m frustrated, and in my head saying, “You know you’re cutting off the blooms.” Before I speak words I can’t pull back, I remind myself that Mr. Gardener is a wise gardener. He knows better than most when plants bloom and when to prune. In fact, he has pruned this same shrub this time last year.

This viburnum is situated as a featured shrub and its job is to fill the space at the edge of the deck. It does that well, except for the disorderly upright branching that makes it appear out of balance. That pruning is best completed after blooming, like June or July. It blooms on old wood, so pruning in winter removes future blooms. I care about those future blooms. Mr. Gardener does not. Well, not on this particular single shrub. He doesn’t mind sacrificing a few spring blooms for a more tidy appearing shrub.

The lesson for me in this tale is:

Don’t lose your mind about gardening. It is a hobby, not brain surgery. A few lost flowers does not constitute a declaration of grave error. Nor should any unfavorable result cause too much distress. There are lots of variables when it comes to gardening—plant health, climate, soil condition, and humans, to name a few. So much is out of our control. Better to focus on the things we can control.

As I recall, when discussing this pruning situation a year ago, his response was, “Yeah I know I’m cutting off blooms, but I don’t like the way it looks now.” {heavy sigh} I’ve considered hiding the pruners. I’ll see you in the garden!

2023 | kcgmag.com

This month I’m deviating from my normal column to answer frequent questions about the International Master Gardener Conference. This major gardening event is being hosted in Kansas City by the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners of Johnson County.

Local gardeners are invited to participate and join the fun. This conference is held every two years at locations around the U.S. and Canada. In 2023, this year, it will showcase our home, Kansas City. The Conference is an opportunity for professional development and learning for Extension Master Gardener volunteers and the gardening public. It features tours, workshops, presentations, a trade show, and an opportunity to learn from gardeners around the country. It is international in scope as similar programs are in Canada, England, and South Korea.

Conference Dates

Question: When is the conference being held?

Answer: It’s all happening June 18-22, 2023, at the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC), 2023 winner of EXHIBITOR magazine’s Best Small Convention Center in North America. Registration is open to all garden enthusiasts. Over 600 people from nearly 40 states have already accepted the invitation to celebrate, educate and grow. Add your name to the list of attendees soon.

Who And What To Look Forward To

Question: What can I expect if I attend the conference?

Answer: For starters, five world-renowned keynote speakers and your choice of more than 40 sessions led by botanical, horticultural and gardening professionals. Conference presenters from over 20 states, Canada, and England in