YOU CAN READ IT RIGHT UP TOP, BELOW MY LOGO: Horticultural how-to and woo-woo practiced here. After the question of “Where’d you get that plant?” (alluding to whatever oddball thing I post a picture of), the second-most common question I’m asked is, “What’s up with the woo-woo, Margaret?” The video above–my first, since I am happier behind a camera than in front–attempts to explain. Woo-hoo! Er, no, sorry: woo-woo.
(If you need to download the QuickTime player to watch, here’s the link.) And thanks to my friends at Catman & Mary Productions for forcing me to do this. Now if they’d only rename the company Catman and Margaret….
Please Spread the Woo(rd):
Help me get the word out that there’s more to gardening than chores by giving this one a thumb’s up in whatever way you like. Click on one of the choices (Facebook, Twitter), and thank you. As my niece says to me on my very favorite occasions, “You’re the best.”
I need your apron.
Margaret, I love the video, and you explain perfectly what I feel about gardening and how it is a meditation. Thank you. I try to explain to my friends about this, and even if they don’t understand completely, they do understand that gardening is part of ME and who I am. I will send them all to your video now as a way to understand where I’m coming from.
Welcome, Amy. We can start a support group for misunderstood horticultural woo-woo’ers — I think many people just look at the garden and see it as a “hobby” of mine or “a lot of work” and it’s definitely something more. Nice to meet you, kindred spirit. :)
@Brenda: My apron (which I have in many colors…LOVE them) is from Utility Canvas, a couple I met years ago who live across the river in the Catskills of NY State. I also have had their tote bags for years and years — they never wear out, and everyone always covets them when I’m carrying my junk in one. :)
Margaret, I must admit, though I have been following your blog for awhile, I didn’t fully understand the “woo-woo” part! I also didn’t know until watching this video what a kindred spirit you are. You summed up so articulately, and beautifully, how I and so many others feel about nature and the act of gardening. I especially loved your description of the cherry blossom festival; many people in the horticultural therapy and “healing garden” field talk about this – that connecting with the garden and nature is a way of experiencing life in all of its cycles, including dying and death. I may just have to share this on the Therapeutic Landscapes Network’s Blog!
Gosh I love your blog, your podcast, your gardens, your gentle spirit, and now this video gives me another glimpse into you the person. Thank you Margaret!!!
Terrific, hope there are more videos to come, and I’m so happy that Jack got a cameo!
All i know is….it’s finally pouring rain down here in LaGrangeville & i’m running around through my garden getting soaked yelling….”Woo-Woo! Woo-Woooo!”
ps, I loved Jack’s “cameo appearance”.
You summed it up perfectly…I especially loved the background music
WOAH! What a gorgeous video… the garden looks gorgeous… and so do you!!!! You need your own TV show, Margaret!
Thank you all — and as far as that TV show, Pam: The amount I’d need to spend in therapy sessions to stand in front of a camera would exceed any salary paid, I am certain of it. :)
Hi Margaret,
I really enjoyed that and how wonderful to see the scope of your gorgeous meditation surroundings. There’s much to offer in a good video- I love the movement of the camera with the perfect music. What you say rings so true– and what a handsome Buddha looks over all.
Welcome, Carolyn. Yes, Buddha is quite the “looker” — even though he keeps his eyes wide shut. :) Glad to meet you here and hope we will see you soon again.
Yes – the moving meditation – yes yes yes! This is exactly what gardening does for me – and feeling part of something bigger and getting perspective on my place in it – that is exactly it. Thank you for the courage to make the video – a great gift to me.
I loved this video and all your spiritual metaphors for gardening. The comment about being on our knees all the time–so insightful and lovely. I too loved seeing Jack appear. Your own tv show–what a great idea. Like a “Victory Garden” for the 2010s. The visual component is so important, which is what’s missing in the podcasts (though I love the podcasts).
Wow Maggie – congrats. The “boys” did a great job with this video, love the music, the camera work and your narration is wonderful. Jack and the garden win Best Supporting Actors.
You GO Girl!
Welcome, Erica Sternin; glad it “connects” for you, too — and thank you for your kind words.
Thanks to all of you — the “other” Erica, Miss Kelly… — for your encouragement, too. Onward, right? :)
What a great video! And here I was thinking “woo-woo” just meant “oo-la-lah” or something…
Maybe you’ll consider doing tutorial videos in the future? You’ve got a nice presence on camera and a lovely voice.
Welcome, Monica. I do want to do the “how-to” parts as well; I have had to really try to get over the camera-shyness. I love that you thought it meant ooh-la-lah; how continental and exotic sounding! :) See you soon again.
Margaret – I have been loving your blog for quite some time but this is the first time I’ve commented. Not only do you have an amazing gift for gardening but you also have the gift of communicating what it is about the practice that connects with the soul. I have always felt what you put into words in this video. Thank you for overcoming your camera-aversion and creating this gift for your readers!
I agree that a TV show would be nice but perhaps you could just make some how-to videos for now. Like how to divide or propagate plants (I need to divide some irises and I’ve never done it before). Maybe weeding tricks or gardening shortcuts…
Thank you for all the work you do to create “A Way to Garden”!
What a beautiful gift you are giving us! Your wisdom finds a truthful place in my soul, as does the sweet energy of your blessed garden. Your love and pleasure with Nature are flowing through me…
Wonderful first video! I’m glad to see you have begun this. :)
You are wonderful.
Thank you for this video peek into your garden,ahhhhh, another sense satisfied.
Welcome, Michael. Big Brother is watching, huh? :)
Oh, Margaret, this was just lovely. The views, the music, the voiced thoughts, Jack – I could go on and on. It’s a perfect synthesis – thank you!
I have been following your blog since the beginning, and I just love it! As a yoga teacher, I completely understand the “zen” of gardening. I have also discovered that most of my yoga students are also gardeners. I think the 2 go hand in hand! Thank you for sharing your talents!
ps—-I LOVE your earrings!
That just made me smile – thanks for summing up what gardening can be and should be…..
Margaret….I loved it. Hopefully, you will do more in the future. You garden and home look longingly peaceful! Thank you for sharing…..Carol
Welcome, Karin, and I am glad to hear you “voice”. :) The earrings are surgical steel long wires with very thin aluminum open squares — they weigh almost nothing and cost under $20. The store locally where I bought them doesn’t seem to sell them online, but they’re like this (disclaimer: from an unknown web commerce link I managed to locate searching for the description just now). Love them; also have circles in same style…also ultra-cheapo but great.
Margaret,
You are as beautiful as your garden! The mantra “let the beauty you love be who you are” certainly rings true! with you. Thank you, you are such an inspiration!
Cynthia
Lovely to see you and your garden – you looked so professional. My daughter and I were filmed for a gardening programme in England – it took over 30 hours for 15 minutes of programme – so many takes!!! Looking forward to more of your videos.
Cudos to you….really great, a beautiful piece…..this is a keeper and can be enjoyed again and again thank-you
Suzanne
Margaret, Can I call you Margaret :) Love all the stuff on your blog, you are a teacher… I enjoyed your first video. I think the first of everything is memorable and I’m sure there will be more. And I love the ways of the Japanese people, and they garden with such passion!!!
I like your voice on the video. I myself can relate to getting down in the dirt and communicating with the plants in my garden areas. I talk to the plants inside and out. Sometimes it works :) Plus believe it or not they actually listen, just like our pets. Not like some people when you talk to them it goes right thru :) I could spend my time in the garden 24/7 if weather permitting. Thanks
Thanks for sharing this with us, Margaret. I never questioned the “woo woo” — just loved the phrasing and how it captured everything glorious about gardening. It’s so nice to hear your interpretation of it.
Miss MM – Great job on the first video! More beautiful garden videos, please, so those of us trapped inside all day can live vicariously in the Berkshires.
I hear that the Frogboys are jealous of Jack and are now demanding some camera time. XXXOOO, Dorita
Great video, you have a beautiful garden.
Way to go Margaret, woo-woo
Were you really using hand shears to edge the lawn?
I don’t think I have the patience to edge like that :-)
Here it is, Margaret. Hope you like it!
Thank you for sharing your garden and your thoughts. Both are lovely and inspiring!
My neighbors cannot understand why I enjoy weeding, and one of them has told me that she has seen me smelling dirt! What can I say?!! You get it!!! Could you do at least one video each season so that we may see you and your gardens? Enjoy your summer evening!
Oh, I love this (and not because I’m biased), but because it’s so visually engaging AND you are so saying so many thought-provoking things: the humble action of gardening on your knees, gardening as moving meditation, the ephemeral nature of all things. Your voice is so soothing and your garden is, of course, absolutely gorgeous. I absolutely love this video, I could watch it again and again. Brava!
Margaret….I loved it. Thank you for sharing….. Alan.
This video is really great. Love the parting shot. You are a kindred spirit. A big hug from Maine!
Welcome, Alan. Nice of you to say so!
Same to you, Amity — welcome and thank you. Big hugs sound good — send extras! :)
See you both soon again, I hope.
@Simon: I cut the edges twice a year with an edging tool, but then every month (because I don’t use a power weed-whip) we cut the edges by hand to keep things looking semi-decent. Big scissors, grass shears, you name it — all of these are good tools for that. Crazy, huh? :)
I liked your post very much.
Welcome, Lotusleaf, all the way from across the world. Nice to see you here, and hope we will again soon.
Loved your video Margaret. Woo woo, that explains why gardening is such a stress reliever for me. I’ve just spent most of the day in the garden with heat and humidity bearing down but seemed not to notice! I also managed to order a second hand copy of your book “A Way to Garden” which is at this moment on its way from the USA to my home in Southern Ontario. Woo hoo!!
Margaret, what a simple truth you shared! the ephemeral nature of gardening is our constant reminder to live each day and be grateful for the experience of living “in the moment” I loved your view that the garden and the gardner are one and the same,a true symbiosis! Thanks Margaret!
Welcome, Brian. I am so glad you enjoyed the video, and hope that we will see you again here soon. Tonight the garden and I are sharing a downpour, and are both happier for it. :)
Hi Margaret,
I enjoyed your video; seems to me that you are a ‘natural’ in front as well as behing the camera.
Need your help if you have any advice on how to get rid of a large area of Bishop’s weed that is established on a hillside on a piece of property I have in Spencertown. The are is 25 yards by 10 yards in and around 8 to 10 feet high Norway spruce trees.
Thanks in advance for any strategies you can send my way.
Bob
Hi, Bob. A friend inherited a garden loaded with it years ago, and he covered it with clear plastic sheeting for a hot, sunny season or so (known as solarizing, or sort of cooking the weeds to death). It aids in the process if first you remove any/all of the weeds that you can (dig them out or a least mow/cut them down), and thinner plastic works better than very thick (no more than 5 mm, and closer to 3 is preferred). You want to do this when there are 6 or so hot, sunny weeks. You can look it up on sites like this one from Oregon State, e.g.
hi margaret,
thank you for sharing your home and gardens with all.
you are extremely inspiring! i can’t wait for morning to tend to my own garden.
love and blessings!
jodi