Garden Writers:Can we take a pass on those sound bytes?

Hey, gang.  Here's an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the genesis of some of our least favorite articles in the gardening media.  There's a Garden Writers Association regional meeting coming up and here's the "educational" part of the event: "Three speakers from across the country will join us to present their insights into 'What’s Hot… What’s Not!' in the world of American horticulture. You won’t want to miss these featured sound bytes from some of the most recognized authorities in the country!"  See it for yourself: Region II meeting.

Yep, that's what the gardening public needs all right - more sound bytes about what's hot and what's not.

Comments

[Colleen]

It is a disturbing trend, and I'm glad there are still garden writers out there who eschew the notion that they need to be first in getting the news out about "hot" plants (a dumb-ass concept if I've ever heard one....no serious gardener would ever say "oh, so-and-so says this plant is hot...I better get one right away!")

[Ellis Hollow (aka Craig)]

Writers are in a bind. What gardeners really want to know is how those hot new plants introduced 10 to 15 years ago (or further back) are doing now. But that's not news, is it? Sometimes books beat blogs for their lack of immediacy. If I'm looking for new plants, I'd go to one of Piet Oudolf's books, not a magazine.

[Graham Rice]

On my blog, I've been reviewing some new plants I've had on trial - some sent free by the grower or raiser, and some bought from nurseries or even big box stores. Take a look here: http://transatlanticplantsman.typepad.com/transatlantic_plantsman/new_plants/index.html

Comments welcome.

[susan harris]

And Graham - those articles are exactly what we need. You've trialed them and I bet there isn't a spoon-fed sound byte in the bunch.

[Barbara Martin]

As much as I personally detest the "what's hot -- what's not" go go sales mentality when it affects garden writing, in all fairness that particular talk in your rant is being done at the PANTS show -- where folks actually go specifically to catch up on what's new. I feel writers should be and need to be well informed, but what they do with that information is up to them. Whether or not knowing what's new turns them into "product pimps" is another issue.