We ’re always scrap mass media garden reporting and , for the most part , justly so . Yet , obsessive and optimists that we are , we still turn thirstily to the garden pages ( or half a page ) each Thursday , Friday , or whenever it is , hoping for something interesting , inspiring , and FUN .
Well , sometimes it ’s interesting , once every two year or so it ’s inspiring , but it ’s NEVER fun . Why do paper garden writers take gardening so seriously ? I mean , black spot , dry summertime , weeds , and Nipponese beetle will always be with us . There ’s a beautiful irony in our continual struggles to garden in spite of nature , but I never get that recognition from the columns . The most deadly articles are the ones in which we are directed to have fun in our garden . “ Add whimsy ! ” they cry . “ utilize those old hiking boots as planters ! ” I incur myself shuddering at these grim directives .
Then web log came along . Many newspapers have lend blog to their on-line repertoire , with great result in some cases ( I do enjoyFrank Bruni’s[in theNYTimes ] and ourarts blogsin the Buffalo News ) . Unfortunately , garden blogs have not become regular features of most newsprint internet site and — in terms of those that do survive — I can count on two fingers the 1 I presently get at visiting . Too often , corporate media wall plug engender a deathly blandness in their writers , and it carries on to the blogs . blog ca n’t be bland — well , at least they should hear intemperately not to be .
TheBuffalo News garden blogis , to say the least , bland . TheNYTimeshas a Dream House blog , but I could not observe one devoted to gardening . Of course , when I lived in New York , I do n’t remember gardening being a hot theme .
TheSan Francisco Chronicle . Though boasting blogs with such glorious name calling as The Bastard Machine ( I do n’t even need to read it ; I love just knowing it survive ) , I do n’t see one for garden . Too tough ; one sense it would be deserving scan ( maybe Amy would write it ) . They also have at least three mutation blogs ( I got bored after the first three ; there may be more ) . Of course , that is where the action at law is in the blogosphere — that and fame chatter . Oh , and porn , I suppose .
Here are the medium - related blogs I do enjoy translate . I am trusted many of you know the fabulousGreengirlsof theMinneapolis Star - Tribune . draw of personality and opinion . look into out their wonderful situation , generously illustrated with photos , on harvest home honey . Now that it is a group blog , there is more on flower horticulture , which is a big plus for me . And then I do like the NPR - affiliate blogTalking Plants , which we often mention here . TheDetroit News’Gardening and Yardening , by Nancy Szerlag and Jeff Ball has good pratical information , though I have government issue with the y word that we wo n’t exhume here .
Is that all there is , my friends ? sure enough not . There must be other heavy newspaper publisher and television set - hosted garden blog out there . Is there a unspoilt one in your area ?
