What is a Garden?

What is a Garden?

by Danny Summers

What is a Garden?
To really understand and appreciate both the question and the many possible answers let's do some exploring together...

Merriam Webster says: "A garden is a plot of ground where herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables are cultivated."

(This is probably one of the most basic and simple definitions.)

Wikipedia says: "A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, or enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature, as an ideal setting for social or solitary human life. The single feature identifying even the wildest wild garden is control.The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials."

(OK, this is better... but maybe there is more.)

Mario Owen, garden writer, says: "A garden is one of a vast number of free outdoor restaurants operated by charity-minded amateurs in an effort to provide healthful, balanced meals for insects, birds and animals.

In Japan, a garden might be the size of a casserole dish, while to the ancient Chinese, a garden symbolized a way of life, as illustrated in this proverb: If you would be happy for a week, take a wife; if you would be happy for a month, kill your pig; but if you would be happy all your life, plant a garden."

(Now, we are really getting some place in the definition of the Garden!)

Encyclopedia Britannica says: "Gardening is the laying out and care of a plot of ground devoted partially or wholly to the growing of plants such as flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Gardening can be considered both as an art, concerned with arranging plants harmoniously in their surroundings, and as a science, encompassing the principles and techniques of plant cultivation."

But, with all the possible answers to this question, Alfred Austin, English Poet Laureate in 1894, may very well have said it best:

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul. Share the botanical bliss of gardeners through the ages, who have cultivated philosophies to apply to their own – and our own – lives. Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.”

A World of Positive Messaging!
With all these definitions of both the noun "Garden" and the verb of the activity of "Gardening" you have the very best message opportunities. Other industries would do almost anything to have this POWERFUL messaging opportunity. In fact, many others try to hijack our message by including plants and gardening as part of their marketing in whatever products or services they are selling. Just think about all the wonderfully positive words you can use to describe the benefits of plants and gardening!

Spread the good news in your messaging!

Sharing is at the heart of The Group and your ideas are very important. Are you and your staff all subscribed to our eLists such as GroupEs, Retail-Grower, Retail-Landscape, Owners-Only, and a number of others? Need help subscribing? Let me know as I can show you how you can sign up.

Thanks for sharing!

Danny Summers
[email protected]
Tel: 678-909-7770
Cell: 678-761-7145

REMEMBER: Your interaction (by phone and email) with Group Service Providers such as Steve Bailey, Tim Quebedeaux, Sid Raisch, Robert Hendrickson, John Kennedy, Jean Seawright, and of course Danny Summers are included in your retainer!

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