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CONTiNuED FrOM PAGE 14
tiens.”
“After a winter of researching, I
can’t wait to find the new plant offerings
I’ve read about,” Joanne continues.
In fact, in her quest for just the
right variety, she’s willing to drive off
Cape to obtain the perfect plants for
herself and her customers.
There are two aspects of the season
that Joanne does not look forward
to, however. “Cold temperatures and
rainy days,” she laments. “I have absolutely
no control over them.” Unseasonably
cool or wet weather can set
both amateur and professional gardeners
back and make spring gardening
unpleasant or difficult. Bad weather
aside, Joanne recommends that home
gardeners pay attention to the soil and
garden from the ground up. “In all the
gardening that I do,” she says, “it all
begins with amending the soil to increase
fertility. A soil pH test is always
advised to get the baseline knowledge
of what your soil might need in terms
of acidity or alkalinity.”
“I ask a lot of my gardens,” Joanne
continues, “so I spoil them with some
composted manure and mulch.”
Because she has seen the importance
of soil amendment in her own garden
as well on her customers’ properties,
Joanne believes in using organic
amendments and mulch. “I liken it
to a healthy immune
system,” she says.
“Healthy immune
systems fight off
disease. Amend your
soil and your garden
will reward you with
lovely scents, sights
and tastes.”
Joanne also believes
in learning more about
plants and gardening
at every opportunity.
“The advice I’d give
to folks beginning their journey into
gardening would be to take advantage
of the many workshops and classes
offered at Meetinghouse Farm and
local garden centers,” she says. “Many
of these are free or at a low cost. Visit
your libraries and check out the reference
materials available. Visit public
gardens here on Cape Cod or elsewhere
for inspiration. Treat yourself to
a local garden tour.”
Like many passionate gardeners,
Joanne seems to be recommending
that we use the energy of the season
to learn something new about gar-
Unseasonably cool
or wet weather can
set both amateur
and professional
gardeners back
and make spring
gardening unpleasant
or difficult.
Quickhits
WebLinks
Learn more about Meetinghouse
Farm in West Barnstable: the educational
programs that Joanne
Wallace recommends, volunteer
opportunities, lovely landscapes
and community connections.
www.westbarnstable.org/
Meetinghouse_Farm.html
New plants for 2011. This post from
Birds and Blooms Magazine lists
some of the new varieties that will
be available to gardeners and home
landscapers this year.
http://bit.ly/fg8FKD
Sustainable gardening and ways to
sustain the gardener from blogger
Susan Harris. Learn about maintaining
a garden in an ecologically
responsible way, and find links to
other helpful websites.
www.sustainable-gardening.com/
how-to/sustainable/practices
dening and plants. At the same time,
she recommends having patience
and knowing that there is wisdom in
working with nature’s rhythms.
“As a gardener, I believe that to
everything there is a
season,” she says, citing
the Biblical verse from
Ecclesiastes. “This
speaks to me gently
and clearly and says it
all. Every season brings
its joys and challenges
and I take each day of
every season as a gift.”
In addition to the
energy of spring,
Joanne finds satisfaction
in every month
of the year. “I welcome the fall chores
and the slower pace,” she continues. “I
love the crisp air and the warm colors.
Fall is our second spring. Winter
quietly thrills me with the stunning
starkness and trees’ barks and gnarled
limbs.”
Yet despite her love of the dormant
season, Joanne particularly anticipates
the growing season. “I look to this new
spring and summer with great expectations,”
she says. “And I am thankful
for having the energy and patience for
all the surprises that keep me doing
what I love.”
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