Why is it that some people just detest gardening? I don’t mean the ones who have never really given it a go and are ignorant of the joy of gardening but for those who have – and still hate it.
Is gardening an acquired taste – like beer and rollmops? Can a person actually GROW into this hobby?
After reading 55-year-old Laurie King’s post I’ve had to reassess the paradigm that has comforted me all these years – everyone should garden. Maybe there are some that shouldn’t? Maybe some people would lead much happier lives if they didn’t have to garden? Oh, the shame!
Continue reading through King’s comments and you realise that she’s not a lone voice in the wilderness. Scores of her readers are coming out of the closet and discussing their distaste in our hobby. They all, at one stage or another, have tried their hand at gardening and for whatever reason have found that it has become a nightmare in their lives.
I’m sure we all have at least one friend person in our life who scoffs when we discuss our garden. For some it seems worse than stating that you’ve become a Mormon or enjoy listening to Milli Vanilli. To those people we measure our conversations and never try to let slip a comment about the joy we find in this glorious pastime.
But, do we secretly hope that one day they will get IT? I mean, REALLY get IT? Do we hope that they will pursue us with questions on how to care for their celosia – (Yep! Rip them out. They look stupid) or they’ll badger us to exchange cuttings and go on gardening tours with us. They just can’t wait for the weekend so that they can visit the local nursery and turn the compost. Is this really what we want them to get?
I do.
I know it’s selfish and completely devoid of individual taste and personal preference but how good would it be if everybody found joy in gardening? Concrete would be as hated as oil slicks. Global warming wouldn’t be a discussion point but a call to arms and Trey would be wealthier than Bill Gates – if he’s not already!
Fortunately, King’s commenters don’t remain stroking the unjoy of gardening for too much longer. Riobonito, the lone voice in a sea of dissension, turns up and nails her colours to the wall. She is like the Joan of Arc of gardening.
To those who find gardening unJOYful – I feel sad for you.
Why is it some people dislike gardening? Why do they dislike anything?
My hobbies include gardening, knitting, and dogs. I certainly don’t expect you to take them all up too just because I like them. Maybe knitting gives you a headache, tries your concentration, and makes you think of old ladies back in the dark ages. Maybe dogs trigger your allergies and just don’t sit still enough.
That’s fine. I still enjoy them. To each his own.
Laurie admits that she’s tried gardening, understands it, and appreciates the end result, both aesthetically, and for the work that goes into it. That’s plenty for me. If she doesn’t enjoy actually doing it, she shouldn’t be forced to.
Our wrath should be saved for those who suggest we get rid of all those ‘weeds’ and put in something practical like a concrete slab.
-C