My thumb is far from green. I've never considered myself a "gardener" per se... but I have been noticing a lot more interest being taken in gardening these days.
 
 Apparently we're in the midst of a global gardening boom!

I did a bit of research and learned that in the early days of lockdown and isolation, seed suppliers were nearly depleted of inventory and reported unprecedented demand.  I've also seen several of my friends posting photos and videos of their amateur gardens on Facebook - many of them having never picked up a trowel before. So what gives?
 
History reveals that in times of hardship - many people turn to gardening as a way to find solace, balance, and peace. 

I'd like to share a couple of "Tales From the Garden" with you. There are two characters that stand out for me in particular, and I've gotten a kick out of following each of them on their respective gardening journeys. 

Our first character is Giuseppe. I don't know his last name. In fact, I don't know Giuseppe at all, other than the fact that he's in his 80s, and he's an inspiration to my friend Lydia who lives next door to him and his wife. They live in a duplex in NDG near the Loyola Campus of Concordia University. 

Gardening, mind you, is nothing new to Giuseppe. He didn’t pick up the habit as a way to pass the time during the pandemic. Quite the contrary. Over the past twelve years since she’s lived next door, my friend Lydia has watched him “conduct” his garden the way a maestro would an orchestra. He’s a master gardener. 
 
 He starts his seeds in February inside his garage – which he’s transformed into a greenhouse of course. In early April, before the last frost – you can find him out there turning the soil with his homemade “tiller” which Lydia believes he custom-fashioned out of an old snow-blower, McGyver style! 

His entire backyard is all garden. He grows an astonishing variety of vegetables ranging from zucchini, eggplant, rapini, at least 4 different types of tomatoes, beans, peas, fennel, onions, and according to Lydia – the best wild spinach she’s ever tasted.
 
 Giuseppe believes that gardening is not something that can be left to chance. It requires careful planning, ample patience, and lots of love. 
 
 And when he’s not gardening or sourcing rare, heirloom seeds from his contacts in the “Old Country”, Giuseppe likes to smoke cigars and make his own homemade wine, or “hooch” as Lydia likes to call it. Giuseppe’s daughter once gave Lydia a friendly warning about her dad’s wine… “If you drink it – don’t leave the house!”

Duly noted. Thanks Giuseppe!

When I spoke to Lydia on the phone about her own gardening experience, she confided that she too had a pre-existing gardening obsession, but that her specialty was never vegetables. Her mother was (and still is) an award winning flower gardener, and that love of gardening is something that Lydia has adopted whole-heartedly. 
 
 “Giuseppe sure has the veggie garden thing down to a science – but he struggles with his front flower beds sometimes. So this year, I offered to help him out with his front garden. He told me – “Lydia – you are to flowers what I am to vegetables”, which was quite a compliment coming from him.” 

I’ve included a few photos below of Giuseppe – Master Gardener – doing what he does best!

My second featured gardener is much more a product of COVID-19 – with practically zero prior gardening experience. My friend Jeremy Rubin recently rekindled his passion for gardening as a way to teach his two kids some new skills during their home schooling lessons.  When I asked Jer to explain, he was happy to ramble on for me…
 
 “During the pandemic I decided to get back in touch with my green thumb. Growing up, we had a huge fruit and veggie garden at my family home in Beaconsfield. I guess that’s where my gardening roots were planted and looking back, there is so much I learned as a kid from my parents during our days tending to the plants. I wanted to be able to share some of that magic with my two boys. 

I have an older Italian Landlord who is my gardening “consigliere” and mentor. I’ve had garden envy for years as Mario has a beautiful set-up and invites me and the kids to see and sample his work throughout the season. Now that I have my own garden, he’s shared many of his tips and tricks with me, and I’m hoping to see some success this year come harvest time.”

Aha! 

So behind every budding gardener – you’re likely to find a Master – guiding their young apprentices and inspiring the next generation. 
 
 We owe a debt of gratitude to the Marios and Giuseppes of the world.

Have you been gardening this year? Are you new to it, or have you been honing your skills for years?
 
 Whatever your situation, we’d love to hear your “Tales from the Garden” too – and we’d love to share any photos you send us on our Team Broady Facebook page. 

Signing off…

Capt’n Mark