Garden coaching publicity
‘Macho Mocha’ mangave
Syndicated garden columnist Marty Ross called me a few months ago to talk about garden coaching, after which pleasant conversation I promptly forgot all about it. So I was surprised last Saturday when Indianapolis garden bloggers Debbie (Garden Thyme with the Creative Gardener) and Carol (May Dreams Gardens) kindly emailed to tell me that I was quoted in an article by Marty in the Extra Home and Garden section of the Indianapolis Star. They even sent me the clipping, since the Star doesn’t post all its content online. Thanks, Carol and Debbie.
Marty’s article is brief but informative about the variety of services that garden coaches offer. Reading my quotes, I was struck by the fact that, apparently, I actually use the phrase “higgledy-piggledy.” And “fresh eyeballs.” When my husband read it, he said I sounded as folksy as a certain recent Alaskan candidate for VP. My own eyeballs rolled at that.
If you don’t live in Indianapolis and would like to read the article too, Marty gave me permission to post a copy of it. Be sure to check out her new blog, Marty Ross-Garden Variety, too.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Hey, that’s a terrific write-up. And I like it that you said “fresh eyeballs.” 🙂
Ha! 🙂 —Pam
Fantastic Pam… Let me put my two cents in here for coaching…working with a GC has been wonderful…as you said, those “fresh eyes” have been greatly appreciated. My coach was able to suggest a few changes that have made my garden cohesive. Gail
That’s a nice testimonial about using a garden coach, Gail. Everyone, even experienced gardeners like yourself, can benefit from a new perspective from time to time. —Pam
It’s great to see publicity like this Pam! Kudos to you for being quoted, and to Ms. Ross for the article and her permission for you to post it.
Thanks, Linda. I second your kudos for Marty! —Pam
NOTHING about you is like that candidate from Alaska, Pam. You have a functioning brain and a generous soul. It’s lovely to see you quoted in that story, and how good of the others to send it to you!
Thanks, Jodi. 😉 —Pam
Shucks, I mighta used the term “fresh eyeballs” at some point in my life. tee hee…. Nice article. It is good that you were quoted. I would welcome your “fresh eyeballs” in my garden anytime.
Golly-gee, Lisa. I’d be pleased as punch to see your garden one a these days. 😉 —Pam
That’s awesome Pam. Now, would you come to my house?
If only I could, Melanthia. I’d love to see your beautiful garden, if only you weren’t so far away. By the way, have fun at the Seattle-area garden-blogger meet-up. —Pam
Very nice write up. Marty Ross is one of my faves. Ever notice, her writing is never higgledy-piggledy!
Your comments were priceless; it is always disconcerting to see our actual quotes, we gardeners say the darnedest things.
Helen Yoest
Garden Coach
Raleigh, NC
Alas, that’s doubly true for me, Helen. Still, that could be why Marty included my quotes. Who could resist those colloquialisms? Thanks for commenting! —Pam
I am so happy you posted this pam. it’s a real inspiration because I’m hoping to make a go of it myself as a garden coach. i can’t imagine anything nicer than helping people with their gardens. and there’s nothing wrong with using “higgeldy-piggeldy.”
cheers
irena
Hi, Irena. Good luck to you in starting a garden-coaching business. You are right—it is very rewarding to help people make their gardens even better. You meet the nicest folks too. —Pam
Nice column and great quotes. You sound like a real person and not a sound bite! I’ve met Marty and she is a delight as well as a thoughtful, intelligent writer. Her work is always worth reading. She managed to get a lot of good info into that article!
Yes, she did. I’m so glad that she has introduced her readers to the concept of garden coaching. —Pam
Hi Pam: Thanks for the fun interview, and thank you for posting the story on your blog. How could I pass up higgledy-piggledy? I learned a lot from you garden coaches, and I hope readers will realize they can have fun with a coach and make a lot of progress in their gardens, too. When I work up my nerve, I ask people who visit my garden to tell me the things they’re going to think about it on the way home. Thanks for the plug for my (slow) blog, too. My blog’s garden gate is open to all visitors. Marty
Ha—I suspected that’s why the “higgledy-piggledy” quote was included. It was too goofy to pass up! 🙂 You are too funny, Marty. Thank you for publicizing garden coaching and for including me in your article. That’s a great idea to ask your visitors what they’ll remember most. It must give you an idea of what stands out—and what doesn’t. —Pam
Pam
I was happy to hear that it was you in the article. It was a good write up. Thanks for showing my blog site.
Debbie
Garden Thyme with the Creative Gardener
Thank you for sending me the clipping, Debbie! —Pam
Pam, I love your crazy words! Aren’t successful artists (including landscape designers/garden coaches) supposed to be a little odd? Eccentricity (um, is that even a word?) translates into high prices, it seems. So feel free to jack up your charges and keep throwing out those schmadulouse-fabulous words! – VW
VW, if using oddball words made my services more valuable, I’d start tossing them out more often. 🙂 —Pam
Kids… umm.. Gardeners say the darnedest things. 🙂
Cute, fun and informative.
Cameron
I (um, we?) sure do. —Pam
“Higgledy-piggledy” is a good term to describe what’s going on in some of my beds. Congratulations on getting quoted in the newspaper. And we can all say we knew you when.
Hey, you’re the one giving a talk at the Chicago garden show, MMD. Congrats on the speaking gig. —Pam
Pam, Marty wrote a great article about garden coaching and I was all “hey I know Pam!” when I read it in the paper. I love the use of “higgeldy-piggeldy”, too!
Those garden-blogger connections are rock solid! Thanks again for sending me the clip, Carol. —Pam
Enjoyed reading the article- You are getting quite a reputation. I love the way interviewers pick up on those fun expressions. I once said “we had bitten off more than we could chew” and don’t you know it I had to listen to myself saying those words again! And I just learnt that you can root nasturtiums in water!
It’s enough to make you wince, isn’t it, Jenny? But I suppose those funny sayings are what get one quoted in the first place. Great post on making those fabulous stepping stones, by the way. —Pam
My Macho Mocha has been braving 22 degree nights…….we will see what the poor beast is made of!
Ooh, that’s nippy. Mine has never faced such cold, though Austin has been known to dip into the 20s occasionally. But not for very long. I hope your MM pulls through. —Pam
Hi Pam, you sound friendly and down to earth, just like you really are, and knowledgeable. That is cool to be mentioned in that article and you have made a great pitch for people who just need a little direction instead of the whole expensive landscaping company. That is exactly what I used to do in my business at the other TN location, but the name of garden coach had not been coined yet.
I also loved the circle theme from your previous post. That is just the jumping off point for the big picture for your back new baby garden. It already has form and paths. I do think paths are the number one item to be planned first. Can’t wait to see it come to fruition! The rock outcroppings are treasures.
Frances
Yes, well-designed paths and seating areas are the foundation for a great garden. As is very evident in your own, Frances. —Pam
Congrats on the write-up. It’s true, not just in garden design either–we often need a second set of eyeballs to help us solve a problem.
That’s very true. —Pam
Very nice write-up, Pam! The author did a great job of making good sound bites out of what everyone had to say and pulling it together into a solid article. I like the fresh eyeballs!!!
Hee, hee. Glad you enjoyed it, Genevieve. —Pam
Great article. I’ve been garden coaching since 2003 but didn’t know there was a specific label for my services. I like it. I should put this in my resume.
Pardon my asking but would you mind telling what (ballpark) dollar amount you charge? (I was charging $12.00 per hour.)Do you charge by the hour or by the job? (Pardon me if I missed it.)
Grace, check out Susan Harris’s Gardening Coach Blog for more info and to be listed by region. —Pam
Hi Pam, It is great to be in the business of garden coaching isn’t it. We get to meet new people and walk through gardens for a living. Congratulations on getting interviewed by Marty, she is a wonderful advocate for us. I encourage master gardeners, landscape designers and architects to take on the garden coaching business. There really is a need for it and so many people want to learn to garden. I am working with schools now to develop programs for teachers to inspire children while learning where their food comes from. This is how I first got interested in plants and gardening. It is still interesting and I am still learning fifty two years later. Best of luck
Jack McKinnon Garden Coach Pescadero California
Thanks for commenting, Jack. Garden coaching is fun. What could be better than sharing a love of gardening with others who are interested in learning more? —Pam
Kudos on the article, Pam. You’re quite the quotable gardener! Don’t you know, “folksy” is very in these days, so you are on the cutting edge.
Ha! I don’t know about that, but I’ll try to work it. 😉 —Pam
Congrats, and BTW, I like folksy. You can come coach me anytime.~~Dee
Dee, I could use your coaching on rose care. I’ve learned so much from your posts about it. —Pam
Pam, any time you want to bring your fresh eyeballs to survey my gardens, I’d be delighted! Your own beautiful gardens, old and new, are the best advertisement possible for your coaching services.
Cindy, I’d love to see your gardens someday, not that you are in need of any coaching. One day I’ll get there! —Pam
Oh, Pam, you’ve made me laugh and remember your debut last year on Layanee’s radio show. You were a bit taken aback to realize you had a bit of a Southern Accent…and now you find out you’re colorful, too!
Those words may be folksy, Pam, but they’re also very descriptive and very specific. And more fun to read than cut-and-paste jargon designed to impress rather than inform.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
You can tell I felt at ease with Marty, for “higgledy-piggledy” to pop out. 😉 —Pam
How great is that, Pam! And thanks for posting the link to Marty’s blog. I’ve known her for years, and I didn’t know she had a blog!
Hi, Susan. Thanks for visiting and commenting. —Pam