It seems the older people get, the more importance they place on their gardens.
Driving down my street in Ladysmith, you can very easily tell how old people are by the complexity of their garden.
My neighbours across the street have yet to spend one day without being elbow deep in top soil and mulch. In the last week, the retired couple put in new cedar hedges, a trellis outfitted with new vines, and made a significant dent in the giant dirt pile on their driveway.
Every time I look out the window, they've either just arrived with a new plant or are looking at the garden contemplating their next move.
Down the road however, a young couple has yet to make any headway on their garden aside from the obligatory lawn cutting.
Is it because the older couple has more time, or does something happen when you age that makes you obsess over the quality and look of your garden?
Thankfully the contractor has yet to put grass down on my side of the street, otherwise I'd be shamed into planting something, though I have no idea how or what to plant.
I've never developed a green thumb so to speak but who knows, maybe as I grow up my gardening bug will get the best of me.
My neighbours have expressed frustration in not having grass to mow, but I'm satisfied not having to worry about weeds or how my tulips are doing.
I do have one sad looking outdoor plant on my porch that has turned from a very healthy green to a sad looking brown, but that's the extent of my gardening so far.
For those whose thumb is already a deep shade of green you'll be happy to know there are lots of plant sales going on this weekend.
On Saturday the Nanaimo Area Land Trust and the Natural Abundance Native Plant Nursery are hosting a spring native plants sale, including trees, shrubs, and plants. The sales runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at 3145 Frost Rd. Call 714-1990.
An organic plant sale is running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Foodshare Centre, 271 Pine St. The event is a fundraiser for the Nanaimo Community Gardens Society. For information call 722-2292. If you've got a passion for orchids look no further than the Central Vancouver Island Orchid Society meeting at noon at the Community Services Bldg., 285 Prideaux St. The group will meet in the Maffeo Auditorium. Call 714-0468 for information.
On Sunday the Nanaimo 7-10 Club and Family Soup Kitchen are hosting their annual hanging flower basket sale from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Rutherford Mall. There's also a free master gardener clinic Sunday at the Nanaimo Community Gardens Society from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 271 Pine St. Call 722-2292 for information.
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