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Re: [GWL]: The decline of garden writing



Linda Nitchman wrote:

> So it sounds like what you and Jeff are saying is that nobody reads garden stuff because it's
> "old news." I disagree. Just because veteran garden writers have written about it a thousand
> times before doesn't mean it's "old news" to new gardeners. Many people never go beyond the
> casual gardener level and wouldn't be at all interested in plant pathology and such, not there
> isn't a large number of serious gardeners who would find such topics fascinating. I still think
> the answer to the declining market for gardening literature is to mount a campaign to educate
> editors and publishers about the numbers and buying power of gardeners.

Both sides have good points. There are always new gardeners and they always need education.
Currently I'm doing a series for the International Bulb Society specifically for that purpose -
to help educate the newer and less experienced bulb enthusiasts. I didn't pitch that story - they
asked for it because they felt it was important.

I am fortunate in that my regular weekly column is internet based and basically I am the boss
when it comes to choosing topic matter. I find that I get all kinds of questions that show a lack
of basic knowledge. So many - and such basic lack of information - that I am constantly being
surprised. As Andrew said (or was it Jeff?) how many times do we have to tell people a tulip
should be planted 8 inches deep? (Although I know of some gardeners who would consider that
answer to be controversial. ;-)

But I wouldn't enjoy it if all I ever did was rehash the old basics and so I often choose to
write something that will make people think. Things like your right to plant what you like in
your own front yard. Or talking about the anthrax scare and how it affects gardeners.

When I do choose those I discover that I have a huge spike in my readership. I have no way of
knowing who these extra readers are - but the leap is enough to make me wish that I had 52
controversial pieces (and the background to cover them credibly) every year.
Carol
--
Virtually Gardening
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/virtually_gardening
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http://suite101.com/article.cfm/75/86734
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