You know Thanksgiving is here when you see the holiday
decorations at stores. No, actually that
’s how you know Halloween is here. Whatever the case,
Thanksgiving is the perfect time for home gardeners to give
thanks.
You know Thanksgiving is here when you see the holiday decorations at stores. No, actually that’s how you know Halloween is here. Whatever the case, Thanksgiving is the perfect time for home gardeners to give thanks.
First, I’m thankful that our new dog, Rocko, hasn’t completely torn up my garden. When last I left you, Rocko is our new dachshund-mix that we rescued from the mean streets of Turlock. As a stray, I’m sure Rocko must have had a great time tearing through strange gardens, digging up plants, eating leaves and generally making a major nuisance out of himself! That’s because he’s doing all those things and more in our garden.
Shoot, sometimes Rocko doesn’t even let me plant things before he grabs them up. His favorites are the little cell packs of bedding plants. I push the little plants out of their individual packs and – voila – before I can plant them, Rocko has them in his mouth and is running around the yard. And then, there’s me, chasing a little weenie dog around the garden with my trowel in hand, yelling for him to drop it!
Yet, through all this turmoil, I am thankful that we were able to rescue Rocko from an unknown future.
I’m also thankful for the miracle of photosynthesis that plants are based on. I’m thankful for the sheer pleasure of seeing the never-ending variety of new colors, shapes and sizes that plant breeders can come up with for us. Let’s all give thanks that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all plant.
I’m also thankful for the wonderful area we live. There simply are not too many other places in America where we can grow such a variety of plants year-round. When our relatives in the Midwest or back East are putting their gardens to bed in October, we’re gearing up for an entirely new garden season. Thanks to our wonderful climate, we have more interesting year-round gardens that are tendered by people who really love gardening.
Finally, I’m thankful for all you readers out there – some of whom have been reading this column for the past 19 years it has run. I began this column in 1984 in the Gilroy Dispatch and since have seen it picked up by the Morgan Hill Times and the Hollister Free Lance. I’m positive this is the longest-standing local column ever run, and it’s longevity is due to you, the readers.
I look forward each month to answering your garden questions in a column. Sometimes, I receive more questions than can be published. But never fear, I always answer your garden questions, even those that may not make it in print.
Finally, I’m thankful for the perfect strangers who come up to me on the street and tell me how much you love gardening. While it’s flattering to be recognized, it’s even better to know that you’re out there digging in the dirt, too. Keep it up!
Keith Muraoka lives and works in Gilroy. His award-winning column has been in this newspaper since 1984. E-mail him at: ga********@jp*.net, or write him in c/o Morgan Hill Times, P.O. Box 757, Morgan Hill, CA 95038.
