Garden Coaching in the New York Times

Could garden coaching be going mainstream?  Check out this story about us in today's Times, on page 1 of their Escapes section.  I like that, the notion of escaping to the garden. 

Two months after I was first interviewed and long after I'd thought the editor had nixed the whole idea, the article appears and I get to meet some of my competition - coaches in New York and Seattle.  I'm hoping the publicity will turn others on to the idea of garden coaching, either to become one or hire one because MAN, is it ever needed.

On page 2 of the story I'm quoted as saying this about an old grape holly:  "You don't like it.  It doesn't look good there.  Take it out."  Tough love, folks.  That's what coaches are for.

Now for a few behind-the-scenes thoughts.

• The status of that particular paper is such that the mere mention of being interviewed or photographed by the Times seems to fill people with awe and predictions of great things to come. (We'll see about that.)
• The client with whom I was photographed and who is also quoted in the story is the charming Kay Meek of Silver Spring, MD.  I'd been asked to recommend a few "advanced gardeners" among my clients, and she totally fit the bill.  I'm only sorry the photo chosen doesn't show more of her fabulous garden, which I showed in this post.
• The very nice photographer got us to do the damnest things - some very cheesy, almost cheek-to-cheek shots, some weird arms-folded shots - and I'm just glad the editor chose a photo that needs no 'splaining.  And if you mouse over it you'll see it's titled "Gardenwomen" which has a nice sisterhood feel to it.
• My brazen attempt to get my coaching site's URL used resulted in a big no-show - and after I'd added a Coach Near You page and everything.  But I like the page; I like spreading the coaching thing because I'm seeing how much people can be helped by hiring an experienced gardener for even an hour or two. 

Photo by the very nice, very persuasive Jamie Rose for the New York Times.

Comments

[Kathy, Washington Gardener]

Congrats! First downtown SS gets a big splash in the NYT a couple days ago and now local gardens and gardners in TP get their due -- will we be able to pay the property taxes here soon for living in such a prestigious area?

[Billy Goodnick]

The NY Times article was forwarded to me by a neighbor. From there I Googled "garden coach" and "poof!" there you were. Amazing.

I'm a landscape architect, TV host and teacher in Santa Barbara CA and do what I've always called "drive by consultations." With no time to do design drawings for contractors to bid, I've resorted to a "brain dump" directing clients to other professionals they might need, and moving on. Now I've just learned that I'm actually a garden coach! How cool it that!

Very nice web site and I appreciate your emphasis on working with nature. The Garden Rant link thrills me! I think we're on a similar wavelength, though mine comes from a more arid West Coast perspective.

If you have time, pop over to my blog(http://gardenwiseguy.blogspot.com). My primary focus is taking a sustainable approach to landscape design...plus occasion forays into music and food (bloggers just gotta have fun!).

Later, skater.

[Pam J.]

Susan: The hardest working woman in gardening. Congratulations!

[Carol]

Congratulations on the recognition. Extra publicity is always nice, too. Keep up the good gardening!

[Trey]

I had never heard the title “Garden Coach”. Maybe it’s an east coast thing. I love it as it describes what garden consultants do. Maybe we’ll start using it out here on the west coast. Congratulations Susan!

[susan harriss]

Trey, actually I just made up the term, never having heard anyone else use it. My first "coachee" was a garden club member who asked if I knew anyone she could hire to teach her to garden, be her "mentor." I switched to "coach," took out an ad and started doing it. Who knows - maybe it will catch on. Though if you read the Times article, one of the coaches mentioned is in Seattle, so there's at least one person in the West making up terms, too.

[Xris (Flatbush Gardener)]

I like the term "coach." In my first career job, one of my colleagues bestowed that nickname on me.

"Garden coach" is a good description of how I interact with my neighbors and others about gardening. Everytime I'm in the garden section of a big-box hardware store, I get questions. I guess I just exude "coach."

[susan harriss]

Billy, I"m so glad you found me and my co-conspirators over at the Rant. I hope you join us in the communal ranting.

[Nan]

I've been trying to think of a catchy name for my garden design/consultant business that doesn't sound like I will do a scale drawing and installation! People definitely need advice before they step foot in a nursery - I want to be able to do that & monitor their efforts. This article came at just the right time for me - still thinking of a good business name though..

[Deborah Young]

Susan,

Congratulations on your big article. You have got me thinking about gardening in a different way now. It is really more to it than cutting the grass, pruning the shrubs and setting out bedding plants.

[Annie in Austin]

The article must be somewhere in the stack of papers piled up while I was away - congratulations on appearing in the NYTimes, and having a cool photo published, too.

I love the name garden coach, and guess you have fun giving people permission to do what they want!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

PS Susan, you mentioned Adirondack Chairs in the Rant about outdoor living... my husband's newly built versions are on my latest blog post if you're interested.