THIS WEEK’S EMAIL NEWSLETTER (WHAT? NOT ON MY LIST?) WAS MORE letter than news (though I suppose there is some news; more on that in a moment). With crusty, 20-something-degree serious frosts upon us and the garden almost put to bed, it seemed like a good time to say thank you all for your visits, comments, and endless pieces of great gardening and life advice along the way so far in 2009. It also seemed like the right time to ask how we should spend the winter–together, I hope.
The philosophy of A Way to Garden–and my philosophy in 25-plus years of digging holes–is that the garden is a 365-day companion, and that the season never really ends. With that in mind I will continue posting (though, like last winter, on a slightly lighter schedule than in April through October) and also sending newsletters in the hopes that you, too, like to keep talking and thinking plants no matter what the weather has in store. (Register to receive them by clicking here.)
I have been stockpiling photos of hot perennials and woody things we haven’t covered yet; taking notes on such topics as which varieties of chard and kale were best of the several I grew; prepping more FAQ pages on key how-to topics; researching how those of us in the East can fend off a repeat of tomato troubles next year, if that’s possible. And more–more of the usual stuff and unusual stuff I plan to keep producing even if it snows from tomorrow until Easter. (Bite my tongue.)
I hope you will tuck in, too, for the duration, like the woolly bear caterpillar in that discarded bird’s nest up top.
And now my news: I handed in the first draft of my next book, due out in about a year, on Thursday afternoon. It was the longest piece of writing I’d ever attempted (more than 70,000 words so far, likely to grow as we edit it), and also the most personal. It’s a book about dropping out, at midlife and in peak career; about trying not to be afraid about lost prestige or about money–or about snakes and electric storms and whatever else rattles my cage.
It is a story about starting to realize a dream I’d had for more than 20 years but always been to afraid to try–to live in my rural garden fulltime, and return to the personal creativity that got lost in my executive years in publishing. It’s a book about letting nature be the guide, finally, and listening to its signals; about looking for (and finding) some peace.
This garden blog–A Way to Garden dot com–was the first thing I “created” in the aftermath of my old life. It is the most precious “possession” of my “new” life–largely, because of how welcome and connected all of you make me feel each day, even as I sit alone in Nowheresville at my old table (above) littered with all my writing stuff, pondering.
I cannot thank you enough for holding my hand, albeit digitally/virtually, these many months. So put on your mittens and let’s keep the connection going; what do you say? If there are topics you want to read more about, shout them out in comments or email–I’m listening. I will be here. As will Jack the Demon Cat, (looking surprisingly domesticated on his favorite new windowsill below).
Related posts:
Not long after you lectured in Atlanta, yes-I was in your loving audience those zillion years ago, you were promoted.
And I felt sad for my profession, garden design & the gardening world. Your voice, a true gardener, would be gobbled-up into corporate culture. You did fabulous there, congrats, but it was-what-it-was.
Now, you’re back in the gardening world with YOUR voice and aren’t we lucky!!!
Less money, prestige, bag-lady fears around the corner about security in your current choices? Ha, I’ve been living with all of that for decades, having chosen garden design to make my living. Guess what? America is in terrible economic times and I’m having a fabulous year.
SHUTTING DOWN a bit for winter? No, no, no. Impossible. Please take on garden design and its winter views.
Can’t wait for your new book. And your work this winter.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
This news of your new book is spectacular! Congratulations!
Over the past year, as I have gardened, and taken time to breathe in the fresh (or manure-y) air of our gardens, I have learned so much from you and your readers who take time to comment. Living and growing things at our home in New Mexico – there’s no stopping for winter! Just a light “coat” to cover the beds.
So thank you – THANK YOU, Margaret, for somehow finding the energy to have written a book (!!!!) and to stay with us week by week – as we all follow this amazing passion to grow things!! I can hardly wait for your book to hit the shelves. PLEASE try to include us, here in New Mexico, on your book tour – if you can take the time away from your garden next year.
Dear Margaret:
I am new to the world of gardening. I love beautiful, productive gardens, but cannot honestly say I have the patience or passion to create one. What I do have is a passion for wonderful writing, creative ideas and personal courage and you have those qualities in spades. I will look forward to your book as I look forward to your newsletters. Congratulations and good luck!
Welcome, Gaye Marie. New Mexico is one of the most spectacular places on Earth – actually, the American desert in all its variations always undoes me. The light; the unfamiliar vegetation. Amazing. Thank you for your support and kind words, and NM here I come. :)
Welcome, Angela. You are very kind, and yes, it is a lot of work. I am blessed with an old friend, Susan, who helps part-time for many years, and who has been amazing while I was finishing the book and losing my mind to just keep us focused on the cleanup, too, and not lose track. See you soon again!
Cheers to you for having the courage and the grace to quit at the top of your game and for listening to your inner voice and following your passion. I am so looking forward to reading your book and would like to thank you for giving us your voice here – a place where we can come to and always, always get good advice, beautiful photos, and lots of inspiration. Thank you, Margaret.
Margaret, even though I do not garden (city high-rise dweller) I live vicariously thorough you. Keep blogging, please! After a visit to your site, I almost feel as though I’ve been digging in the dirt…
Margaret,
Your blog has been an inspiration to me for the past two years. You have provided fabulous gardening tips, introduced me to Andre and given me the courage to do the “Woo Woo” in my own personal voice. Gardening is soul work as well as physical work and offers wonderful metaphors for a host of other endeavors. In my case, it combines with the practice and study of diplomacy. Somehow, the blending works for me. My Cape Card garden has been selected for the art in garden tour next summer and an academic article on new diplomacy will soon be published in the Johns Hopkins University SAIS Review. Thank you for modeling courage and authenticity in the second half of life. I look forward to your book.
Margaret: Congrats! Look forward to your new book. Please keep us posted on date of publication. I look forward to reading your blog during the winter. It seems like planning/replanning time. Best wishes from a local neighbor (Copake) here in “Nowheresville~”
Congratulations on getting the first draft of your book to the publishers, and I am sure that all the revisions and reworkings will go smoothly; I will be looking forward to its appearance next year, and hope that you will include my area (northern Virginia) on the book tour. Lots of enthusiastic Zone 7 gardeners around here!
Your courage in deciding to make this midlife career change is inspirational — and how much your readers have gained! I visit the blog every day–so much good practical advice there, so well organized, and with so many beautiful pictures. My first thought now about a garden problem is “Oh, I’ll see what Margaret says!” Now, if you and Mrs. Andre can give me advice on how to rein in an over-enthusiastic helpful husband (he got loose with the leafblower yesterday and blew all my carefully hoarded star magnolia leaves out into the street), I would be even more appreciative.
p.s. He wasn’t really littering with the leaves, just putting them there for the county leaf vacuum machine. Now I have to go out and blow them back.
p.s. He wasn’t really littering with the leaves, just leaving them in the gutter for the county leaf vacuum machine. It sucks them up, takes them away and composts them, and in spring I can, for the amazing sum of $17, order a 5 cubic yard truckload. But I want to do it myself.
I have had the opportunity to reinvent myself from the corporate swirl and have written about it a few times in my blog. It is a frightening and exhilarating experience that most people applaud since they for many reasons, don’t, can’t or won’t attempt.
It takes so much preparatory time to make the change and it is even more difficult when your first ideas don’t work and you have to zig-zag all over again.
Not for the faint-hearted. But the rewards are beyond comprehension.
Congrats to your bravery Margaret!
http://www.maryahernartist.com/art-blog/category/career-changing/
Congrats Margaret! Like Rosella in Virginia, I hope you’ll include the Chapel Hill/Raleigh/Durham NC area in your book tour. I want to shake your hand (well, probably a hug cuz that’s just who I am). Isn’t Life a wonderful, creative adventure? Always changing, just like the seasons in the garden.
I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here waiting for your posts all winter. If I’m feeling cruel, I’ll tell you about my winter flowers.
Congrats on the first draft.
Welcome, Taylor, fellow citizen of Nowheresville. (I call it that with the most affectionate intention, of course, knowing it’s actually the Center of the Universe.) And yes, planning time lies just ahead. I am making lists already and things are barely cleaned up yet from the last round. :)
Congratulations on your new book; and speaking of books, I always try to have a few on hand for winter reading.
If you (all) haven’t read “Our Life in Gardens” by Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd, you’re in for a real treat.
Congratulations, Margaret. I can’t wait to read your book. You’re simply a class act through and through. I’ve been following you most of the year and your integrity, generosity, and drive always inspire me. You’re a pretty good gardener, too.
Looking forward to spending the winter with you, even if the ground is frozen.
I started a Horticultural Book Club at the Miami Beach Botanical gardens..We read fiction ( ie: Beverly Nichols,Peter Matthiessen) but mostly non-fiction..Barbara Kingsolver, Aldo Leopard, John McPhee,Jamaica Kincaid, Stanley Kunitz…on and on…) I highly recommend starting one..Winter seems to be good time up in your zone.
I too loved Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd’s book. But I am especially looking forward to YOUR new book. We will definately read it! benjia ( a snow bird:CT. and Miami)
What wonderful news! And what a lot you have accomplished this year, even though it just flew on by as I waved from the window. I can’t wait to buy your book and hope you will include NE Alabama (Gadsden area) on your book tour. Or maybe Birmingham? I retired at 59, on the cusp of 60, to move from the city to 3 country acres so I can help care for an aging parent. Once I found your blog, I felt truly nurtured as I made the adjustment from a 50×100′ city lot. Thank you for all you do for us.
Margaret-
Thank YOU, for all the inspiration and courage you’ve given me this past gardening season. With a change in work status (from a paycheck every 2 weeks to intermittant consulting) last February, I poured my energy into the garden. And what an amazing result – I’m still trying to cook and freeze all the squash following weeks of Tomato Junk and pesto. I love your practical advice, your humor, and most of all the perspective about life/garden/balance. Bravo!
Welcome, Sorrygardener. You are very sweet, and believe me, if I could do something about the little issue of frozen ground, I would. :) We will have a good winter, and the relative downtime gives me the hours I need to create lots of things I have on my “ideas” list that I simply haven’t gotten to yet. (I should turn off my motor sometimes, but so far, no luck with that.) See you soon again, and thanks much.
Welcome, Joan. The garden is a good place, maybe one of the best places, to pour that kind of energy; I know how that works. I came to gardening when my mother got ill (when I was in my 20s) and it has been my solace since through many kinds of times. Thanks for your good words, and don’t be a stranger.
Welcome, Benjia. A book club sounds like just the thing for winter here, you are right. Thanks for the suggestion. I am between bouts of reading right now, trying to get back in the swing, so thanks for the timely reminder. See you soon.
Margaret,
I can’t wait to read your book. I’m on my own 50-something reinvention process so I’m eager to hear all about your journey. I love your blog and it’s inspiring to see and hear about all you do.
reading your blog and perusing the comments I feel a connection with all and find I to have parked my fears between the lines of your words. This has been a year! Although our Southern California Winters don’t keep use from farming/gardening, they do get cold, so I’ll dawn my gloves and continue to visit. Look forward to your book, the Holiday Season and a Happy New Year. Thank you again for the wonderful words through 2009
Welcome, Annie, and thank you for the enthusiasm. Yes, glove weather ahead…here we go, but at least all together. See you soon.
@All of you: What amazing comments and emails I have been getting today. It will take me a little time to digest it all, but know that I really thank you. More later…
Margaret,
I am looking forward to your new book. And thank you for sharing the year in your garden with all of us. As we move toward the quiet days of winter, I do believe most of us garden crazed folks spend them plotting and scheming and dreaming of next season. We may not be outside tossing dirt and plants, but we are busy preparing for “next year.” We will be along for the ride with you.
BTW, what’s the book on the corner of your desk? “Certainty?” or something? I have the Sibley’s bird book. Love it!
Hi Margaret – Thanks must go to you for the superlative work you’re doing here. It’s brave to quit what seems like a sure thing, but something that doesn’t speak to your soul. Congratulations on the book – when we close a door, God does open a window. I’ll be along for the ride wherever it takes you via the miracle of RSS. :)
So looking forward to your book. In Colorado gardening is a bit of a challenge and at times I longingly envy the wonderful plants you can grow where you have humidity and soil…but I do have the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, so I guess it isn’t all bad here :)
Gracious, I can’t imagine a day without you! I’ll be here for sure.
I think the winter months provide me the only time to “catch up” to the quiet moments of gardening that I enjoy so much. Reviewing my gardening errors and planning the corrections by graphing and editing my design for the next year are vital to me. The true beauty of the garden, for me, is that the learning process never fails!
Best wishes for continued success. I look forward to your new book.
VAgardengirl
Welcome, Mary Ann. The book is Pema Chodron’s “Comfortable With Uncertainty,” a favorite series of little readings from an America Buddhist nun. On the other score, yes, may the plotting and scheming begin. And thanks for the support.
Welcome, Joan. Your view is pretty unbeatable, agreed, but no, I do not envy the xeric conditions…though I know some great gardeners there in spite of the challenges. Thanks for the positive thoughts.
Welcome, VAgardengirl. You are so right: lessons continue as long as the gardening experiments do. Thanks for your kind wishes.
Hope to see you all again soon.
I’m looking forward to the book, and thanks for sticking with us for the winter; the dream of getting my hands dirty again in spring is the source of my sanity when winter takes hold.
Welcome, Erin. We can work on conjuring thoughts of sanity together, definitely. In a way I can’t believe the months of deep-freeze lie just ahead. At least the catalogs will start arriving later next month and we can dream with color pictures to accompany us. Hope to see you again soon, and thank you.
Margaret,
You will surely keep the devoted following you’ve collected, as we Northeastern gardeners hunker down for the raw cold days ahead. I know you will keep our spirits high , even as we sit by the fire thumbing through the old tired garden books we love. I am looking forward to the new book! WIll you have a book tour?
I had a horrible year–I spent months this spring eking out time from mom-land to weed and prep and build raised beds, and a day before planting (memorial day weekend), fell and broke my pelvis and elbow! I look out at what happens to a 30x 100 ft perennial garden when it reverts to pasture with shrubs hidden in there somewhere…and my 60 x60 intensive raised bed garden, that often this summer I just wished my husband could have just tilled under with the tractor so i wouldn’t have to look at it—and i try to calm myself down and think happy thoughts about all those weeds being tamped down by heavy snows, and a fresh start!!! It’s unseasonably warm here and i will hurt myself if i go try to clean up what took a whole summer to go wild….Please keep posting! I know that in March I get to start sowing my veggies in the basement and clearing the snow off the paths…Without your beautiful, informative blog to distract me until then I may just give up and move my kids back to the city (just kidding, but a year like the one i just had makes loft living sound downright tempting). I look forward to a cozy cuppa joe and the time to explore and plan anew, with your bright ideas to lead the way.
Congratulations on your new book. I’m really looking forward to reading about such an important time in your life. In 2007 my husband and I sold everything (except the plants I dug up and brought with me), and moved to NC. We left behind what most people would consider a very stable living with a good income etc., but we weren’t as happy as we knew we could be. Some friends and family thought, and still think we’re nuts for doing it, but we really have found everything we’ve always hoped for. Sometimes, flying by the seat of your pants can be be the greatest journey of your life! Good luck to you, and thank-you for all of your gardening inspiration!
Just the other day while going over my garden books I came across the Anne Raver NYT article which introduced me to your blog and I have been hooked ever since. I’ve “grown” so much as a gardener, you will really expanded my gardening world. I’m reluctantly putting my garden to bed so keep those winter blogs coming. Include Bergen County on your book tour. Mittens On!
In 1946, Vita Sackville-West began writing her garden columns for the ‘Observer’, and I was thoroughly entranced reading her lovely words. When I happened to find your blog one day, those same feelings surfaced again. Your writing is intelligent, charming, humorous, and a complete delight. I’m looking forward to your wonderful book, and more columns this winter. Thank you Margaret!
Welcome, Bavaria. Well, that’s a pretty nice compliment. Wow. I think I can retire now. :) (Promise not to; I will be here as I said.) But thanks. See you soon.
I’ve found you much as Bavaria has. I do not post much because even after so many years in my much loved dirt, I still see myself as more student than teacher. But you are part of my everyday rhythm. I thank you for your deep contribution, and I applaud your bravery in going back to your heart’s true ambition. I look forward to the new book with a happy heart. What a joy it will be to purchase when I feel I *know* you a bit, at least the grubby hands part, one of the most honest and true parts of so many of us, I’d think. Today I’m sifting rich dark soil, and it dawned on me that the compost pile from which I work is over 20 years old! That thought, the continuity of it just makes me smile today.
I wish you rich dark soil, and contented continuity. And again, many thanks.
Love the little nest, the beauty and wonder is ever apparent is it not?
Your writing is so lovely. I am a new visitor with a black thumb (food is my thing) but I will be back for more beautiful prose!
I hardly know what new words of appreciation to bring to you here … so just let me herald your winter garden blogging .. I shout ‘YES’ to it. Have signed up to your newsletter too, and love your photos and the news of your book and generally EVERYTHING you have to share to brighten my day and enrich my gardening world (when I am away from the office or my car travelling around offices being my CEO role when I really long to dig the allotment). Good on you. Helen
To Coryy, I could have written your post, just a different set of circumstances…I was laid low for over two years, saw our gardens go to 6 ft tall weeds, my husband could not care for them and me as well…so he took care of me, then we took care of the weeds, slowly, together. We’re still digging out, and finally moving forward. Coryy, the other end brings a deeper love, deeper appreciation for the renewal and new beginnings that gardening allows us to witness and participate in each year. And a fresh appreciation for health in general. All will be well with you, and better. Trust.
Margaret, if this is not appropriate, please delete with assuredness of no ill feelings here. The message just so mirrored my own situation of just a short while ago. I had to respond.
A wonderful accomplishment to hand in the book! Your kindness in sharing your garden and yourself with all of us, in such a thoughtful, literate manner, is so welcome and helpful. I am looking forward to the winter, not for its weather, exactly, but for the opportunity to think and plan about next year’s garden without the pressure of its changes coming at me fast and furious. Contemplation of the garden-to-be and the joy of birds! What could be better?
This morning I planted the last of the bulbs and the perennials still hanging around in pots and tomorrow I will be back at my dear old desk (magazine publishing, no less). I don’t complain about my job out loud much because so many have had such a terrible year without work of any kind but I must confess I envy your leap. It’s hard, these days, out here in corporate America but I’m sure you have days when it’s hard up there at Margaret, inc., as well. Congratulations on the book (I’ll buy it, full price, too!) and PLEASE keep inspiring us just by doing what you do.
I have enjoyed your blog and thoughts and your extremely lovely & thoughtful photos……. I am sure the winter will be enjoyable as well.
I very much enjoyed the once a week cooking/recipe group thing! (I can’t remember what you called it!) It was fun to get to know the other sites and I loved many of the recipes.
I live near the Chicago Botanic Garden and in their classes they include things “related” to gardening, like sun prints and natural dyeing. I am a quilter and find pleasure in dyeing fabric and then hand appliqueing flowers in the cold of winter! It’s a wonderful time of year for other handcrafts (that require clean hands ;-D).
Thanks so much! Debbie
Welcome, Anne. We gardeners can always use some good cooking advice, so you are more than welcome. :) Thanks for the visit and the good words, and see you soon again.
Can’t wait to read it.
I have been reading your blog for about a year now (can it possibly have been that long?). Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your beautiful garden with us. Not to mention, your knowledge, wit, humor and all the beautiful photos. Congratulations on your book!!! Can’t wait to read it!!
I know how you feel about the blog; protective, nurturing and proud. I just started mine several months ago as I curled up like that wooly bear in my newly emptied nest. I had waited until the time was right and I knew I could post with quality and consistence, but still I wish I’d started sooner. This blogging business is fun! Best of luck with the book. Maybe I will brave that someday myself.
we bought a 6 acres spread in northern columbia county a couple of years ago, and we have been working very hard to make it our special family home. i have been spending an inordinate (thinks my wife) amount of time clearing brush in a one acre woodland corner of our property. i love the feeling of just hanging out in the woods, and i wanted to know these woods intimately, know each tree well, and be free and easy moving around there without offering a pint of blood to the bramble gods. i didn’t really think though why i wanted this so much, and was working so hard to achieve it. then it suddenly occurred to me, that my favorite place growing up on lung island was the part of our property dominated by a huge copper beech and a sycamore. i loved walking around under the trees, looking at the interplay of the limbs, light and sky, and seeing my dogs lap up the rainwater sitting in the crooks of the copper beech base. i finally realized that i have been working this property to recreate my special woods place, long gone now. in a way, that is what this blog has been for me to; not so much a resource for plant-specific information, although handy as this can be, but more so a shared invitation to each of us to find our own special woods/garden place, whether once again or for the very first time.
Enjoy stopping by and am looking forward to your book with great anticipation. Those of us who haven’t quite mustered the bravery to make the jump get to live vicariously through others.
On a note about the blog, please do not shut down too much over the winter. Many of us continue to garden through the winter. In my little spot of California, now is the time to get things into the ground and we do 90% of our plantings over the next few months. With the summers usually in triple digits, there isn’t much to do but water….both plant and man.