I’ve been watching from the sidelines all the changes taking place at the IndyStar and was not surprised when an editor called me a few weeks ago to let me know they had decided to discontinue my weekly gardening column.
Though I expected it at some point, it still makes me sad.
Tremendous opportunities
There’s solace, however, in focusing on gratitude. First up would be David Powell, a former Indianapolis Star editor who hired me to freelance gardening columns in 1989. I remember writing that first column, about how a tomato plant can turn your thumb green. Writing about gardening changed my life. After a few years, I called the weekly column The Hoosier Gardener, a moniker I embrace.
I love writing about gardening in Indiana, bringing the readers along with me as I learn, sharing my experiences, successes and failures. The columns – about 1,560 of them – were my connection to the readers. I’m so grateful to and for them. They’ve shared their gardening experiences, successes and failures through emails and letters, and in person. As a garden writer in the paper, it’s not uncommon for people at parties and other events to ask you about their plants. I joke that I’m not a horticulturist. I only play one in the newspaper.
I’m grateful to the newspaper for essentially launching my career as a garden communicator. In the 1990s, at the urging of fellow garden writer Dick Crum, I joined Garden Writers Association, now Garden Comm: Garden Communicators International. Later this week, I will become president of this organization, which earlier this summer also recognized one of my columns with a Silver Award of Achievement.
Will miss you readers
As a garden communicator, I’ve trialed hundreds of plants, the results of which were shared with readers, along with breeders and marketers. Trialing plants also guides recommendations to customer at the garden center where I work part time. The garden center customers provided many ideas for columns, too, from questions about plants to problems they were having in their gardens. It warmed my heart to see many of them come in with my column in their hands, looking for a plant I’d written about.
Writing about gardening took me to Great Britain, the Netherlands, Grenada, France, Mexico and Canada. I’ve been privileged to visit hundreds of gardens, private and public in 35 states.
The column opened many other doors, too. Freelance assignments from national and regional magazines, blogging or writing newsletters for corporations, television and radio gigs, and teaching garden- or nature-related programs and workshops. It led to being the founding editor of four magazines, editor of five and writing two books.
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These experiences inform the talks and programs I present to garden groups, landscapers and other green industry trade professionals.
All in all, it’s been a good row to hoe, as gardeners say. I’ve learned so much and anticipate continuing to learn and communicate about gardening. I’ve started a free, monthly newsletter that you can subscribe to here.
I’m sad to be leaving IndyStar, but I’m grateful for the opportunity. Mostly, I’m sorry to leave you readers.
I miss having good newspapers. There aren’t many left. Looking forward to your newsletter!
Thank you, Joe. Hope your cannabis consult goes well. I know you go to Colorado where they might be able to use some expertise like you have…also Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.
I have been a faithful reader of your column and will miss my Sunday ritual. May new, wonderful opportunities open up for you.
I look forward to seeing your newsletter in my inbox!
Thank you, Mary.
I am so sorry to see your column go. I am looking forward to your newsletter, though
Thank you, Helen. I’m sorry, too. Looking forward to continuing to develop the newsletter. Thank you for signing up.
Losing a garden column one has written for decades is almost like losing a loved one. I know your sadness.
I learned so much about Indiana gardening from you. I will very much miss your column
Thank you. I hope you signed up for the newsletter.
Mourning time, that’s for sure.
We are sorry to hear of your column’s passing. It was surely a highlight and one of the last bastions of our “local” newspaper. Happy to have the opportunity to continue to follow you and your Indiana gardening wisdom through the newsletter. Best wishes to you during this transition time!!
Your column is what I always look forward to reading in the Sunday paper! Sad to see it go. I will look forward to the newsletter!
JoEllen I’ve pretty much saved all you newspaper articles! Thats what I do, Dick Crims also! I look forward to seeing your articles! Good job honey!!
I’m so sorry to read that you will not be doing your column all more! It is my favorite part of the Sunday paper. Your informative articles helped me learn to garden in Hoosier country after we moved here.. i must say that I have always wanted to support the local paper because I feel that it is a vital part of an informed society but with the changes recently, I’m not seeing that local touch very much and I question the need to subscribe to a paper that mostly reprints articles from other sources.. to you I say, keep writing about plants! They are critical to our societies health in so many ways. Thank you for your efforts!
Thank you, Judy.
I have enjoyed your columns. Thank you for continuing with a newsletter.
All the best!
Thank you, Kathy.
Thank you, Judy. I hope you’ll sign up for the newsletter and that you’ll find it helpful. http://eepurl.com/gkfb91
Thank you, Annie.
Thank you, Peggy.
Thank you and thanks for signed up for the newsletter.
Just joining the others to say I’m sorry to see the column end. The Star seems to be following “death by a thousand cuts.” As a 50-year subscriber this is really sad, because I have relied on your gardening advice often. Good luck and I’ll be sure to look for your newsletter.
Thank you, Dan. And thanks for signing up the newsletter.
Thank you for all of the great information you provided to your readers. I have saved many of your articles and always looked forward to reading your column. i will sign up for your newsletter. Best wishes for your new pursuits!