Carrie Barre-LiBaire's Gardening Column

Down to Earth Gardening

The Summer Solstice has passed, the days are getting shorter, and I realize this summer is going to pass too quickly. Larry picked the perfect time to "graduate" from his career as an Extension Educator and move to a new set of opportunities, in and out of the garden. I have asked Larry to keep me informed so that I can pass on his accomplishments in his absence. As I was telling a friend about filling in for Larry, she mentioned to me that she has met Larry on a few occasions, but feels like she knows him very well. I think that's the way Larry makes everyone feel-the minute you meet him you feel like you've known him forever. That's a special trait, and I'm sure that has contributed to his success.

I met Larry three years ago when I was taking the online courses to become a Master Gardener. I came into the Extension Office in my usual excitable manner. I was having a hard time with plant disease diagnostics. It was quite overwhelming, thinking I had to memorize every plant disease known to mankind. Larry, in his calm way, told me that I didn't have to know everything, I just had to know where to find the answer. I asked him how he knew so much, to which he replied, "Well, I've been doing this for 25 years! You tend to pick up some things along the way." I hope to pick up a fraction of what Larry has learned, but what he taught me that day is what I have really clung to in my love for horticulture. That it is impossible to know everything, and to me that's part of the challenge.

As a gardener, I am a jack-of-all-trades, master of little. My interests are wide, and my knowledge comes from practical, everyday mistakes and successes. I don't have time for picky, high maintenance plants. I buy too many plants that I "need to find a place for". I move plants on a whim. I am always eyeing and thinking of a better place for an area that isn't making me happy or performing as well as it should be. Right now, I have my eye on an Astilbe that isn't doing as well as the others. I just have to find a place to move it…

I am also a wife and mother of two young boys. I barely have time to shower some days, let alone weed my gardens. I have been at home with the boys for six years, and am returning to work to fill in for Larry while a permanent replacement is found. I think all of us are just making sure he stays "graduated" this time. I was asked if I was going to continue with the quote at the end of this column. I don't think so-I have neither the knowledge or wisdom that Larry has, but I hope we can both learn from each other in the time we spend together.

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