A new way of gardening for the new year

THE GARDEN FANATIC

“Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

-- ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON

“And in the end ...”

-- THE BEATLES

The onset of the New Year has found me traveling down Mexico way

-- to loiter and unwind and kayak and reflect. Old problems are

solved there, irrational thoughts exposed, and new column ideas

invented. My occasional bouts with frustration dissolve to make room

for calmer introspection.

“What is troubling you?” an interested party might ask. And in

reply, I readily admit that I am facing the peculiar dilemma of

dealing with New Year’s gardening resolutions.

I will strive to be more creative, yet show restraint in my new

gardening year. It isn’t necessary to try to plant every new rose or

every new hybrid within the confines of my garden. I will also listen

to the suggestions of other gardeners, particularly the holy trio of

Catharine, Jana and Carole, to ensure my garden’s greatest potential.

Gardening produces magic for many of us, because it allows for

mood adjustment and freshness of thought. Rather than waiting to

garden because I need therapy, this coming year, I resolve to enjoy

my garden more often -- and play chase and sniff the catnip with my

cats.

I will be more inclined to follow the advice of my late father,

Pete, who always espoused the virtues of planting from the fall until

the spring. I will try not to plant as much during the heat of the

summer. I will mulch my perennials monthly and keep a shaper eye out

for weeds.

Many gardeners practice only one kind of horticulture and cannot

be persuaded to try any other. Beginning in January, I will grow more

herbs and vegetables for Catharine’s consumption. Although the color

from flowers is indeed rewarding, why grow only flowers and eat

frozen vegetables or market produce three days removed from real

freshness?

I will remember to plant my pumpkins in early May, as I promised

my wife that we would find a suitable candidate for her famous

pumpkin cornbread for next year’s holidays. And of course, we’ll need

a jack o’ lantern to light our doorway for Halloween.

And in the end, sweet Catharine and I will spend the last night of

the year in each other’s warmth. We’ll toast one another and make

unspoken resolutions.

I can guess hers. It is not to make more money, be in better shape

or even dream of travel in Kenya. Quite simply, she will be saying

silently, “This year I shall grow better tomatoes than Steve!”

I know, because at that very moment, I am thinking exactly the

same about her. See you next time.

PLANT MAN WATCH

Selecting flowers is fun. Their color and fragrance brighten a

planting bed and will lift flagging spirits (from too much holiday

fun). The Garden Fanatic looks at potential candidates for your

garden.

Winter flowers and the Plant Man’s insight:

* Snapdragon (Anthirrhinum majus): So named for their

“dragon-like jaw” flower, varied uses depending on height (6 to 36

inches). Susceptibility to wilt and rust a minor negative.

* Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum): Grown for attractive shooting

star flowers of many colors. Wonderful under camellias, ferns and

other shady locales. Not to be missed!

* English Primrose (Primula polyantha): Spectacular when massed,

thrive in well-drained, rich soils. Definite star quality!

* Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima): Get real. Put aside, cut

back in the spring, and bring out next holiday season.

* Impatiens (I. wallerana): Useful and overused flower of Laguna.

Certainly the greatest display of blossoms for the least effort.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

a design-build firm, located at 1540 S. Coast Highway, Suite 206. A

“local” guy, he makes his home with wife, Catharine Cooper, an artist

and writer, and their three cats. He may be reached at 497-2438 or

[email protected].