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Re: [GWL]: The decline of garden writing

Jeff:

If garden writers and garden writing has become boring than indeed we do need controversy.  One thing that was pointed out to me many years ago when you and I were just new members of GWAA was that garden writers don't know their horticulture.  The science of horticulture.  I wonder if this is still true and if it's finally caught up with us.  The other thing that I remember and it too still seems to be true...is that some of the best gardens writers in this country have simply abandoned GWAA.  They have no use for us, we bore them.  Controversy stimulates minds.  Stimulated minds stimulate other minds.  My editor has a backbone...and they have for the past 20 years that I've been writing my column.  If I write something controversial they have this special place in the paper where a reader can react...it's called "Letters to the Editor."  It's generally accepted that the view of a columnist is just that.  Believe it or not garden writers can deal with and write about critical issues.  Will they or will we simply write ourselves into obscurity until 20 or 30 years from now America discovers this wonderful new outdoor and indoor activity...gardening?
   We also seem to forget that gardening is both an art and science.  The science is horticulture.  If we don't bring the science of horticulture to our readers then we and they remain ignorant.  When was the last time you saw an article on the modes of action of herbicides?  How about the modes of action of insecticides?  And what's a hardy annual?  A tender perennial?  What are biostimulants?  What are the latest developments in pest and weed control and where are we headed?  Why can't we win the battle against Japanese Beetles?  Are all hybrid roses diseased?  What ever happened to your County Agent?  Are golf courses the environmentally compatible green oasis that we're now being told they are? (Three forms of groundwater contamination found under Long Island golf course that's just a year old.  University experts said that with this highly regulated course it could never happen...just one year later...it has!).

Andrew Messinger
The Hampton Gardener
The Hampton Gardener is a Registered Trade Mark   

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