Carol Bray
Isanti County Master Gardener
One thing that makes gardens (and gardening) interesting besides the plants and produce may be the gardener’s collection of artwork. Some purist gardeners wouldn’t dream of having a piece of garden art, but I think garden art, aka collections, give the gardeners something to look at or think about during the long Minnesota winters, early springs and late fall.
Most serious gardeners have their book collections to read and relax and learn in the off-season. I have my share of gardening books — some given to me by friends — which I enjoy. One book, which would be a great gift for a person that loves history and gardening is, ‘Founding Gardeners’ (The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation’) by Andrea Wulf. An excerpt from the cover states, “For the ‘Founding Fathers,’ gardening, agriculture, and botany were elemental passions, as deeply ingrained in their characters as their belief for the nation they were creating.” Some gardeners enjoy old gardening books. I received ‘Garden Clubs & Spades’ by Lawrence McKinney from a friend. Its copyright date is 1941. It’s a fun read and the illustrations are a kick.
My friends, Nathan and Janine Madsen, have beautiful gardens which include many large pieces of whimsical and charming garden art that Nathan has built. Lucky Janine. The Madsens also collect old watering cans.
One gardener in Duluth has a charming collection of wheelbarrows that distract the garden tourist from the compost pile that is in the midst of a ring of old and not-so-old wheelbarrows.
Some gardeners collect angels for their memorial garden. Other gardeners collect ornamental frogs, gnomes, fairies, pigs, and rabbits or bunnies. Old tools, birdhouses, unique rocks, gargoyles, and you-name-it are popular with gardeners for decorating their gardens.
Each year I give a friend and myself a ‘Minnesota Gardening’ calendar. Both of us keep these calendars as reference because they give great information on pruning, vegetable planting guides, monthly tips and more. If you would like to purchase a ‘Minnesota Gardening’ calendar, contact the Master Gardener office. Have fun collecting for yourself or for the gardeners you love.
Reference: Founding Gardeners by Andrea Wulf
For more information, visit Isanti County Master Gardeners website at isanticountymastergardeners.com, University of Minnesota Extension website at www.extension.umn.edu or call the Isanti County Master Gardeners at 763- 689-8254.
You can also visit us on Facebook: Isanti County Master Gardeners.
