Organizing my files to start the year, I discovered this year will mark the 10th anniversary of my column in the Capital News.
My first column appeared on April 29, 2002.
It is a gardening column but over the years I have used it to communicate with readers on other topics and issues such as heritage, family, interesting local people and even my personal journey in Tae Kwan-do at Quest Academy.
You might say it is my blog which, at this point, I do not have in the real sense.
Winter time is somewhat reduced in gardening activities although never too far from the mind of the avid practitioner.
Therefore I will, throughout the next six to eight weeks, focus on other subjects often with a gardening twist.
For instance, when we lose someone like Henry Pridgeon, who was a resident of the Okanagan for many years and for some time in the 1960s and 1970s, and even into the 1980s, provided our flower shop with the most beautiful cut gladiolas you can imagine.
In later years he was a valuable source of cultural information regarding the cultivation of this popular garden plant.
Most of all he was a cool guy to talk to and I regret losing touch with him these past few years.
Henry passed away on Dec. 18 at the age of 86.
Another important contributor to Okanagan horticulture and a mentor to me recently left us as well.
Mario Manderioli died Dec. 14 at the age of 99.
In the 1970s when I was learning the ropes of my trade, he let me use a handout he had prepared on orchard pruning, something I still use a portion of today.
He was very passionate about the art of pruning trees and loved to share his knowledge of this and many other gardening techniques.
So far this winter has turned out to be just about opposite to what the pundits predicted and up to this point my dwarf pampas grass as well as my standard Olympian rose tree have weathered nicely.
Both these plants will take temperatures down to -14 C but generally succumb to anything below that.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed, however we still have January and February to get through before the coast is clear.
As with all gardeners I’m looking forward to spring when I can plant some seeds to watch the miracle of germination and the long days return and the garden come to life again.
Over the next few weeks, however, I will have to be satisfied with browsing the seed catalogues and the Internet for ideas and information to make this year the best gardening year ever.
Tune in to The Don Burnett Garden Show on AM 1150 News Talk Sports Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m.
