GARDENING AS WE GET OLDER

[Oops, I went long again, but I think you will find it interesting. There is more "essence of The Mad Botanist" in this edition, i.e., I left in some of what I usually remove in late editing.]

I have several blog topics in some sort of draft stage but was having trouble getting excited about finishing any of them. So, as I was having one of my occasional fun and informative breakfasts with my special gardening friends Lisa and Dan Burnham, I asked them if there was a topic they thought I should consider (see my previous tribute posting, Feb 2023). Their answer did not surprise me as it is a subject we cover every time we get to share time, namely gardening as we get older (i.e., if you are that lucky). I addressed the topic briefly in my Rantings book and will expand upon that here. The references in my book are scattered throughout but primarily parts of Chapters 16 & 17. And here is a thought -- most books once read are then shelved/stored or given away. Good reference books are different, they are more valuable. Give a look at the spine of your cookbooks, one can instantly tell which ones get repeated use and will likely still be in your possession when you perish -- that soiling (let's call it love marking) is a sign of importance.

Before I proceed, let me say that I highly recommend gardening as an avocation or, as with Lisa, Dan and me, a lifestyle. It also can be a great coping and retreat activity -- getting lost among the vegetation and work. Gardening when older gives one a reason to get up in the morning (albeit sometimes with difficulty), as well as something to look forward to (a sort of renewal), and it gets you outside (fresh air, sunshine, nature and productive exercise, especially the associated activities that require stretching, bending and turning). Our immune system does not have a dedicated pump, rather it is reliant on the cardiovascular system and functions better with movement (i.e., physical activity). I'm convinced that a gardening focused life also helps one live longer and, I would argue, be more content. Gardening also can be a way to socialize (via gardening friends), although I have found it is better to keep that discussion away from politics and religion, with the emphasis on gardening activities, not meetings. Bureaucracy is part of the reason for the madness.

PROLOGUE - A key question you should repeatedly consider is WHY & HOW DO YOU GARDEN? Many of my posts, but especially this one, relate to GARDENING PHILOSOPHY -- something all of us should spend more ATP and time thinking about. I would also recommend you take a rational behavior (reality) pill or three and, when necessary, repeat. Some may find it necessary to be on continuous IV drip to address the mentally crippling condition :)

{ADDRESSED IN NO SPECIFIC ORDER}

RESOURCES ($) - you may have more financial freedom as you age, but this is weighed against less remaining life. But first let me address the fantasy of just buying a garden or that said garden will be maintenance free. THERE IS NO KIND OF GARDEN THAT IS MAINTENANCE FREE, and some types are more demanding in that regard. Moreover, the maintenance will, over the course of merely a few years, equal or exceed the total cost and time associated with the creation. We tend to be foolish in that regard, imagining falsely that just because we want something to be, or not to be, it will. My idea, so it must be a good idea. I have occasionally referred to the delusion as the Disney effect, but more commonly just plain "garden variety" stupid. NEWS FLASH, irrational behavior is common, perhaps even the norm. And making a garden WILL take time -- an ongoing, ever-changing activity. A process rather than an event, with lots of potential enjoyment. Moreover, the TV pseudo reality notion of a garden in an episode or day is absurd. What's that I hear, it must be true, otherwise why would they present it? If so, immediately go to a mirror to see what a sheeple (a fool) looks like, and quickly take the medication I prescribed above.

Regarding money and gardens, I find that there is a definite (but expected) correlation. Gardens of those with more money are (1) bigger, (2) have better/more interesting plants and (3) more mulch, especially the dyed type which should NOT be used or recommended.

HIRING IT DONE - DO NOT presume that you can rely on having a garden built. That notion is usually no more plausible than having someone build "your" functioning kitchen, or your wardrobe, or anything else that is personal, although like all of those, you may occasionally seek and get assistance. We all do it, at least we should since it is a smart move. Even good, experienced gardeners want to learn better what we are potentially dealing with, especially how and what to avoid as much or more than just what to get. I suspect that "get" comment will challenge many of you. Moreover, the pool of landscapers is small and the few good ones are necessarily pricey. It is hard work that requires special knowhow. Be happy if you can find someone or get off your ass and do it yourself. Sadly, I suggest that <1 in 10 "landscapers", at least in Indibama and surrounds, are talented enough to be worthy of consideration and, as for real talent, the artists, the true masters, well it/they are rare or absent in entire regions, never mind just your community. We are NOT a gardening society. The few people who are excellent at it (1) are not for hire citizens (private gardeners) or (2) in high demand and expect to spend >$10K even for a small property. And understand that the talent lies in the individual(s), not the business. Furthermore, that plan should NOT include what will eventually be very big trees (like oaks) just because a for profit "ecologist" has said that oaks are good for wildlife. The area occupied by an old white oak species can exceed 10,000 sq ft. At ~1/4 acre, that is larger than the average residential property (house included) for Illinois and Indiana! Awesome, but .... The example above, a beyond spectacular Chinquapin oak located NE of downtown Indianapolis, covers >12K sq ft and much of the canopy is not in/over the property, which is a fortunate circumstance for the tree. Remember, indeterminate growth -- all woody plants will, as long as living, keep getting bigger. BIOLOGICAL FACT I adore "white oaks", but they are not appropriate for small urban lots regardless of what you think the half-truth spewing "profit" suggests.

MORE FREE TIME - Great! What are you going to do with it? Gardening can be a very rewarding activity, but it will require dedication, toil, tolerance, patience, perseverance, pragmatism as well as humility and most of it will be done alone, a privileged private experience. I relish that productive solitude. And "when not at it" the satisfaction from enjoying is real. All gardeners should take time "to smell the roses" so to speak, to enjoy the "fruits" of their labor and talent.  Look what I did/am doing, but I caution against boasting, its bad form, as can be trying to judge another's creation. Having said that, there is such a thing as bad/wrong (especially technique) and hideous. In fact, hideous/stupid examples easily outnumber the "that's nice." Comments like "that's nice" can also be intended as sarcasm. There is often an inflection as well as careful timing necessary to make the faux compliment work when spoken. I'm okay at it but my buddy Jay is an expert :) It's fun to witness -- many of the recpients are clueless.

I occasionally refer to the great Rodgers and Hammerstein title, You've Got to Be Carefully Taught as a metaphor. The big question is, where and by whom and, of course, what? If lucky, (1) there may be local gurus and organizations or (2) you could (like in the final scene of Dr. Zhivago) be gifted that way, and we would love to see what you have produced, understanding that it will change. Additionally, if you are talented and experienced, I think we owe it to our community to share the accumulated knowledge and perhaps occasionally some of our plants, if appropriate. More gardens and gardeners would improve our society and the places we live. But know this, you can't garden from a couch or with long decorated (AHL) fingernails. Hint: the L stands for lacerating

LESS PHYSICALLY ABLE - I am approaching 73, and yet another gardening season, as I write this. The wise gardener will find a way, even though activities like heavy lifting and carrying or the ability to easily bend over or to chop and dig may now be limited. Refer also to CHANGE below.

TOO LATE - Most people are impatient. For that crowd, gardening can be difficult and slow growers like European beech (a spectacular species) may not be suitable, especially if not acquiring until late in life. One of my favorite sayings addresses choice and this dilemna. It is an old Greek proverb, "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in." Key here is, of course, patience and placement, the room for the specimen to eventually get old and perhaps big. Most trees are put in the ground without the understanding (the fact) that ALL woody plants have indeterminate growth. WHY the limited knowledge? (1) there are few old specimens for us to admire, to learn from, (2) the labels usually imply a "full grown (and stop) size", (3) we stupidly imagine that we can always simply prune to control, or (4) as I have heard numerous times, "I won't be living here/there then so it will be someone else's problem." I can't bring myself to share the words that fully express just how irresponsible that attitude is -- suffice to say, my comment would include derogatory and profane language. If in person, I seriously doubt that constraint would be possible -- I'd let it out! VENT What fun that would be! Finally, by the time we get around to dealing with many issues it is too late, often the result of being lazy and stupid.

TEMPTED TO START BIG TO MAKE UP FOR THE TIME LOST - This is a common gardening mistake. I say "gardening", but it is much more likely to be the action of the impatient, plants as furniture type rather than a mistake made by a truly experienced gardener, not that they are immune. Yes, older (plant and/or gardener) can be better, but for starting plant material (especially woody taxa), larger is usually not the best choice -- European beech being an exception because they grow slowly.

CHANGE - Many people, dare I say most, believe that their garden is permanent and unchanging. That thinking is false and stupid. Even a rock garden will change and require maintenance. Plan for the change and enjoy it. Furthermore, in gardening, unlike most physical activities, you can get better as you age (i.e., wiser) often able to accomplish more overall in less time and with less effort. Working smarter, not harder. The hidebound or stubborn, not so much. ANOTHER NEWS FLASH, any garden left under or untended will revert due to ENTROPY. Our manmade creations are NOT stable, and the change (the succession) will happen rather quickly.

Another type of change is CHANGE IN TASTE, often it becomes more sophisticated/refined as we age and become experienced (i.e., our "plant vocabulary" expands). Almost without exception gardeners when referring back to their early output (e.g., a hosta-only garden, often under a shallow rooted maple) will response I wish I knew then what I know now, thereby having deprived themselves of time and the opportunity to develop something different, something better, something bigger. We know more as we get older but that does NOT necessarily mean wiser. Stupid can manifest in all age groups, but it is especially unpleasant to witness in older people who should know better. Run get the pills :)

DOWNSIZING - Older gardeners sometimes downsize. Of course this is dependent on your holdings. A wise gardener will have considered this prospect early one. Not only things but also activities (i.e., reduction of required high maintenance, especially (1) the number, size and kind of forb (perennial) beds and (2) the kind of plants requiring periodic lifting, dividing and replanting (e.g., many ornamental grasses) and (3) those specimens that can be outside only in the growing season -- this will vary depending on where you live and garden. And, as I have posted, if you want a Florida (tropical) garden, I recommend you move there. Mind you, I have no interest in and do not recommend developing a setup that requires taking an unreasonable number of containers and plants inside in late autumn and then out again in spring, forever. Sisyphean. Related to downsizing, there is a little game I play to keep acquisitions in check (i.e., in addition to the thin wallet) -- for every new thing I contemplate adding I force myself to seriously consider getting rid of something. The underperformers at my place do not like the game :)

OPEN SPACE - Notice the tightness of the plants in the captivating top photo above (I know not where or who). Nature abhors a vacuum, and she WILL eventually put something in every open spot, if you don't, and may even try to replace your entry (i.e., weedy taxa, about half of which will be native species). Not something the purists (the natives only crowd) want to hear. The truth can be hard to swallow! Moreover, some species do not like to be chained -- they will move to a preferred site or, if none is available and with inadequate gardener oversight/editing, simply establish and persist. If our entry fails (e.g., lack of care or due to not meeting habitat parameters) the stupid among us will ignore the "experience" (the failure and the lesson) and try again because by God that's what we want -- the old I'm in control here. Really? This is rampant among the plants as furniture / exterior decorator crowd, but even good gardeners are susceptible to this mistake/misperception.

MORE KNOWLEDGABLE (wiser with age, although {as noted above} not always, and one can be natively bright but stupid, which includes little or no common sense) - As regards knowing, I cannot begin to imagine how hard it must have been for gardeners in days past to do what many of them did WITHOUT the advantage of internet resources. Impressive is an understatement! It shows how talented and dedicated they were. Moreover, as example of more knowledgeable, understand that I have built my garden with the idea of trying to have something (preferably many things) interesting every week and month of the year. A garden can and, in my considered opinion, it/they should be more than flowers, and not just spring-loaded. As I write this, some of my surprise of witch-hazels are breaking bud. If you have not, let me suggest you give the COLLECTIVE NOUNS section of my website a look. It is both entertaining and informative. Surprise and unexpectancy are my suggestions for describing a collection of witch-hazels, a group of spectacular plants that astonishes most people including many who consider themselves expert gardeners. Witch-hazels are perfect for older gardeners -- low maintenance, great for even small properties, are long and multiple season performers that deliver at an early age, very floriferous, and some are captivatingly fragrant, in winter no less! My Feb 2022 rant focused on witch-hazels.

While that are still more aging gardener issues I could discuss, let me finish with this. I presume most of you reading my posts already have some kind of garden going, but it may be that circumstances have only recently permitted you to start, or you may have decided to start anew -- if so, likely a wise decision. Or maybe you just moved to a new region and need to retool -- all gardening is local. For those looking to move and who want to have a garden, I suggest you first checkout my Jan 2022 rant. Regardless, I wish you gardening success. And know this, gardening WILL help make you a better person AND I can 100% guarantee you will never run out of new and exciting, just as you will not run out of things to do -- hello research, hunting and maintenance. Now take your pills, do some dreaming and get to it. Your garden awaits the visit.