06.27.05
Garden Help
As I am a gardening freak, I read/participate in a number of mailing lists and forums that deal with various kinds of gardening. One list that I am on received the following question:
“Is there a landscape or garden company that will come to my home and give me free advice on how to improve my yard if I buy the product from them?”
Why yes, there is! True Epicure’s Gardens ‘r’ Us - at your service. If you give me $100, I will happily tell you everything that you want to know, even if it has no bearing on reality. Duh! I mean, really, this is such a scary question. Of course they will come to give you advice if you buy something from them. And they will probably sell you lots of product, and you will have bottles of colored water to sprinkle in the “appropriate” amounts so that you will think that you are doing something to improve your: soil/air/water/insert noun here.
I don’t usually post to this particular group, but I think I might have to. And of course, I will be polite. Something to the effect of: “You are your own best landscaper, and with a bit of understanding about the climate and the location that you live in, you will be able to do a better job of helping yourself, than any landscaper can. Be wary of any company offering “free advice with purchase”, because chances are, they will not have your best interests at heart. Contact your local county extension office (check in the Government Pages or your local phone book) and ask for their assistance with useful literature geared toward your specific needs. Education is the best tool you can have!”
