GENERAL PUBLIC THRILLED WITH SFG

Q:  Dear Mel, My name is Fatmi and I am a volunteer with the Loudoun County, Virginia, Master Gardeners. I just wanted to let you know we had our SFG presentation as part of the 'Tuesdays in the Garden' series.  We had about 20 people attend, including several of our own Master Gardeners.  Some of the "old-timers" were a bit skeptical (at least that's how I read their faces), I think, more than anything, because they were thinking of the rows and rows of garden they had to tend. But many of the new ones as well as the general public were just thrilled with your idea.  

HOMEMADE TRAINING AIDS WORK WELL

I had cut out squares from matting cardboard , and drew the different spacing grids on them.  When I set them down on the ground and they saw the area we were talking about (one 4' x 4' block) they were excited about how much they could do within that "small" space.  It's as though a door had opened and they saw all these possibilities!  Several people stayed behind after the talk to ask questions and to look at the 2 blocks we had planted.  One elderly gentleman showed up late (he thought the talk started at 10 instead of 9), so we gave him his own little lesson.  I think he's hooked !   

FLEXIBLE SYSTEM

In addition to the Tuesdays in the Garden series of talks, our group also gives a series of classes at one of the local community centers earlier in the year.  I am trying to get Square Foot Gardening on next year's schedule.  We're also going to expand our planting next year to include the larger vegetables so people can see the flexibility of the system. I will mail you a copy of the handout I put together from information in your book as well as on your website.  Thanks again for your help and encouragement. Sincerely, Fatmi

YOU DONE GOOD

A: Dear Fatmi:    CONGRATULATIONS, I'M SO HAPPY IT WENT WELL.  ISN'T IT A GOOD FEELING WHEN IT'S ALL OVER ?   Thank you for the report on your presentation.  What a wonderful letter.  It sounds as if you handled everything so well and that you did an excellent job teaching and presenting Square Foot Gardening.  I wish I could have heard you myself.

IT CAN'T BE THAT EASY

I just loved your comments about the "old-timers."  I've had them in some of my talks and they always have that skeptical look on their faces and they deep saying, "It just can't be that easy -- there must be something wrong here."  But they can never find anything.  I usually caution our speaker to concentrate on the newcomers because you can convince and teach 10 new gardeners in the some time it takes to convert just one "old-time single row gardener."  THANK YOU FOR DEDICATION Thank you so much for your continued dedication in trying to give more presentations and get on next year's schedule.  I'll look forward to seeing your handout.  Continued success with teaching and with your garden this year and please keep in touch.       Best wishes,       Mel B.