#HorticulturalHappyHour

By C.L. Fornari 

I interviewed George Ball, Chairman of W. Atlee Burpee Company, on GardenLine the other day, and it was his opinion that the 2020 pandemic has jumpstarted a new era of gardening in North America. As millions become interested in growing their own food, and even more decide to improve flower gardens and outdoor living spaces, it seems likely that one of the positive effects of the coronavirus will be the cultivation of more gardeners. Although storm clouds might have silver linings, according to George the folks at Burpee like to call this one “the green lining” to COVID-19.

Those of us who speak, write and teach about plants and gardens agree and are leaping to cultivate this interest. We’re teaching and preaching through the channels we’ve always used—books, radio, articles, blogs, and podcasts—along with extra heavy use of social networking, online classes and virtual meetings. We’re looking for all ways possible to help people be successful with their plants and gardens. We’re also emphasizing the joy that comes with the process and end results.

There are many approaches to leading this charge, but one I’d suggest is to start talking about a #HorticulturalHappyHour. It’s fine if your mind automatically jumps to the traditional evening time for cocktails—plants play a key role in most beverages, after all—yet there are so many ways to think of how brief periods spent with plants and gardens can make people feel better. A horticultural happy hour can occur at any time of day. Here are a just few ideas we’ll be running with on the GardenComm Twitter account. I can’t wait to see what grows when garden communicators and grab this hashtag and run with it.

Recipe for a #HorticulturalHappyHour: several empty containers, a large bag of potting soil, and pots of herbs. Mints, lemon verbena, basil, stevia, sage and parsley. Plant, water, arrange in a group, and enjoy all summer.

My #HorticulturalHappyHour is in the morning when I take a cup of coffee out to the garden and just watch what I’ve planted. I listen to birdsong, inhale fragrance from the flowers, and see the bees flying from bloom to bloom.

15 minutes for weeding, 15 minutes for planting, 15 minutes for picking flowers or vegetables, 15 minutes for taking photos & posting = one satisfying and productive #HorticulturalHappyHour

Watering houseplants, rearranging some pots, picking off random yellow or brown leaves, noticing which ones are (surprise!) coming into bloom. #houseplants #HorticulturalHappyHour

I love walking to the vegetable garden in the morning, using the hoe to chop off young weeds, and shaking a fist at the crows who are eyeing the ripening tomatoes. #HorticulturalHappyHour before showering and heading off to work.

Best plants for fun cocktail garnishes: cucamelons, sugar-snap peas, lemon verbena, calamondin citrus, lemon basil and mints. #HorticulturalHappyHour

Get home from work, put aside digital devices, walk into the #vegetable garden and ask “What’s for dinner?” Discover the best tasting food on earth. #HorticulturalHappyHour

Plant seeds, in pots or the garden, and take your coffee outside every morning to see what’s germinating. #HorticulturalHappyHour  #LifeAffirming

Heading out to run errands? Pick flowers first, make small bouquets, tie them with string or recycled ribbons and hand them to strangers. One to the supermarket cashier, one to person filling their tank at the next gas pump, one in the bank’s drive-thru window. Random acts of kindness.  #HorticulturalHappyHour

So, my fellow plant geeks, garden communicators and green industry professionals. What constitutes a #HorticulturalHappyHour for you, and how are you spreading the joy moving forward?

Meet the Author

C.L. Fornari is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and Treasurer of GardenComm International. She hangs out online at http://www.GardenLady.com