Blog article by Paula Pashby
It is a great feeling to have veggie seedlings tucked into their new home in my garden. I double-check my sketched-out planting plans and take one last walkthrough to make sure all the plants are set for the growing season - everything looks good! I love anticipating another harvest later this summer, hoping all goes well.
Next, I give the garden a good soaking. This is always a peaceful moment, and in my mind, I hear a familiar voice with a strong a Boston accent reminding me to “make sure to provide plenty of wahta for the plants to get established.” These are words of wisdom from Roger Cook, a Landscape Architect who was on a PBS show This Old House.
For those who are not familiar with This Old House, experts help homeowners refurbish older homes - hence the show’s name. The program started in 1979, and Roger was on the show from1982 to 2020. Sadly, he passed away last year. During the course of his lengthy career in landscape architecture, Roger helped create and transform hundreds of gardens and planted thousands of trees. He also inspired many would-be gardeners to become active stewards of the land, including myself.
I really appreciated his love for the trade and how he taught others to enjoy gardening. I realize that, next to my mom, he was part of my inspiration to become a Master Gardener. In this role, I hope to also to share my passion for gardening and help others with community projects. I learned quite a few gardening tips from Roger and much more from my fellow Master Gardeners… a big THANK YOU to all my colleagues for bringing me along on this gardening journey!
Similar to the watering mantra, Roger had many other adages that I still remember, like: “Planting a tree? plant it high, it won’t die; plant it low, it won’t grow.” and “Frustrated while growing clematis on a trellis? The first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, the third year it leaps.” And one for my husband with his latest project, “Laying a brick pathway? A walkway is only as good as the base” … digging, measuring, leveling, adding sand, leveling – and then comes the paving.
The sister show, Ask This Old House, recently gave a touching tribute to Roger Cook, which you can see at: https://www.pbs.org/video/e25-thank-you-roger-cook-ask-this-old-house-ZKzAfs/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh-cast-crew/111435/remembering-roger-cook