Friday Already?

This week seemed to fly by. Very small crew today with Dr. Gredler (above left) working on obelisk staining and some lights processing. Vern has been cutting out plywood "flowers" (see below) for a neat art project/event that will involve these flower cutouts being decorated by local artists, school groups or other interested parties this winter. They would then be placed out in the gardens thru the summer. Details are still forming but we always like including local art here at the gardens. The carpenters have been lamenting about the time involved with cutting out 27 of these but they seem to be enjoying the challenge. Maury stopped by as did Julie G. Bill came in for a bit to bring in lights. I've been uninterrupted all morning and have processed three more seed orders. However, I'm still looking at a table with 40+ catalogs! I like to read them all cover to cover so I don't miss any of the latest varieties, deals, garden tools, etc. We'll be spending more time in the coming weeks looking at options for a new laser engraver, label making system and we received a very generous donation that will allow us to upgrade some aging equipment. This year has started well and we hope all the good karma spreads and perpetuates as we head towards a crazy spring as usual.
I was reading an article recently that listed some predicted 2010 garden trends as determined by the Garden Media Group. I've included some of those trends below for consideration. Sometimes I think trends are started by saying that something will be a trend. Sometimes colors are mentioned too. Hearing that "orange is the in color this year" has no effect on me. Who determines that? I think the trends below seem pretty valid though... At the bottom is 'Island Pearl' (Iris germanica) taken by Tina.

*Edible gardens are in, lawns are out. There has been a 19% increase in new hobby farms around the country. Chemical inputs for turf will decrease.

*"Yard-sharing" is gaining momentum. This is the concept that sharing space, skills, resources, tools and time will be more popular in our neighborhoods.

*Slow gardening is in. Instant gratification is out. People are returning to a simpler life of cooking and gardening. Locally grown food demand is increasing as is growing plants (i.e. veggies) from seed.

*Mindfulness of resource managment and enviromental issues and impacts will increase

*Eco-boosting is in. People will seek products that work with nature, not against it.

*Multi-task gardens are in. Single-purpose gardening is out. Gardens will include more intentional, sustainable design that helps create wildlife habitats, moderate heat islands, absorb runoff, filter pollutants, etc.

*Perennials and shrubs are in. Divas are out. Consumers are looking for more easy-care, wildlife friendly, sustainable plants not those that need pampering.