The Dirty Dozen (I’ll go first)

Do you ever wonder what other gardeners are thinking? Me too! Introducing the first “Dirty Dozen” – a twelve question survey answered by Hudson Valley gardeners of all shapes and sizes. I had fun answering my own questions to see how they fit. Can’t wait to share your own responses? Email me at laura.wilsongardens@gmail.com and be sure to include your self-portrait and brief gardener bio.

1. What is your favorite Hudson Valley garden to visit? Montgomery Place

2. What book should no gardener’s library be without?
Rodale’s All-New Organic Gardening Encyclopedia is excellent for beginner herb, flower and veggie growers and remains helpful as a quick reference.

3. If you were a tree, what would you be?
One day I’d like to be a mature japanese maple, but right now I’m more like a heptacodium.

4. What new (to you) plant do you have to have this year?
Digitalis lanata and aster tataricus

5. If you were to plant a 3 genus garden. . .
Narcissus, chamaecyparis and geranium

6. Garden tool you can’t live without?
Tubtrugs (or any similar flexi-vessel), I use them for carrying plants, tools, water and weeds and there is always at least one left out in my garden at any given time.

7. Gloves or no gloves?
Gloves

8. Favorite place to shop for plants in the HV?
I love plant shopping, period. But I never leave Northern Dutchess Botanical Garden, Lorjon Nursery or Wallkill View Farm without a trunk full of plants I had no intention of buying.

9. If you could spend the day gardening with anyone, who would it be?
Beatrix Farrand. Or my former coworker Lisa Cady, we had such fun!

10. Any garden outings planned for this season?
Of course! Capital District Flower Show, at least one guided garden tour at Stonecrop, revisit Innisfree, attend one new garden tour and Plant Delights in North Carolina.

11. I’d like to learn more about _________.
Pruning fruit trees and A.J. Downing’s life in Newburgh.

12. What project, plant, idea, etc. are you most excited about this season?
After taking a baby-havin’ break last year, I can’t wait to get out there and work my tuckus off! Plans I’m eager to get started include installing a new gravel courtyard with perimeter planting, putting in a lilac hedge and adding MORE evergreens.

Laura Wilson is the mistress of this blog and curator of event site Hudson Valley Garden Calendar. For more info you can read her bio in the right-hand sidebar. Laura is currently learning how to be a devoted mom and avid gardener at the same time.