You may be busy, but take the time to just be a plant nerd

By Tristen Bowen, Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando, FL


It seems like only yesterday we were planning out and booking our poinsettias for this winter. Wait! That was February. Where does the time go? It is already August, and the work world keeps forging on.

It is a time that you are working on fall color rotation, as well as renovations. You have to think about your team and how to keep them motivated. Maintenance never ends, of course, and you can never turn a blind eye to it or you’ll be sure to get overwhelmed.

On top of it all, you are reconciling your checkbooks and watching your budget. The deadline for 2010’s budget is only tomorrow. Forecasting the rest of the year’s expenses is extremely important right now. Also, have to process those invoices…put in those vacation requests…learn the new purchasing system… obtain certificates of liability insurance…send off those soil samples…write this blog…coordinate a few contractors…and stop to take a deep breath! I am very positive that this is everyone’s world right now…everyone is staying later, taking on more and trying to move ahead.

But for me, there is a light in the very near future, a breath of very fresh air, something that I look forward to every year, The Landscape Show! It is my opportunity to escape all of the hustle and bustle of real work life, to remove myself from all the daily business, and for a few short days be a horticulturist.

I am surrounded by industry folk, plant people, plant nerds! It takes me back to the core of everything I truly love. I get to browse aisles of interesting plants, colorful booths and a surplus of horticulture hard goods. It is an opportunity to sit and listen to extremely talented speakers and pick up a few new ideas. You get to see that vendor you talk weekly to on the phone and actually look them in the eyes! It is a few days full of hearty handshakes, business cards and geeky plant talk. It is pure bliss.

So, in retrospect, I know we are all very busy, but I am for sure going to make the time to indulge in the pleasure of The Landscape Show. I’ve been looking forward to this for quite awhile. Maybe I’ll see you there?