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Category: Garden In Action (2012) | Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 12:23 pm

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I woke up this morning at 1 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep because something subconsciencely was on my mind. Most of you know that I have a garden project at the office where I work. I don't think i've told you how this came to be. My boss has had this office/house for 30+ years and has done everything to the in and outer exterior of the office but has never touched the small backyard strip for anything other than to throw glass, nails, paint, screws, rugs out there without caring. He tried unsuccessfully to put out lava rocks on top of the weed block but the weeds took over. I suspect that the thin layer of rocks had something to do with it. Anyway, for the last 2 years I kept asking him to put something out back for us to have a place to eat our lunch or just to take a break. Well last year (2011) he let me do it. First of all you couldn't walk back there because of the type of rock and all the sharp objects so what did I do first? Put down cardboard to cover all the crap that was on that ground and build and instant ground cover and an area accommodating to the feet. Just that by itself was an awesome transformation. The next thing I knew there was straw back there. I didn't put it down, my boss did and he left it alone. I did appreciate that he took interest in the area and I went on with attempting to do what i could that year because i started sooo late in the season. I will post pics later so that you can see last years transformation.

Moving forward to yesterday (3/27/12)....
Before I got sick the first time, earlier this month, I started the transformation again but this time I wanted to make it more beautiful than ever. You all know that I had been dreaming about this the whole winter season. (You can also see my garden pics of what's been done so far) Ok yesterday, he called his handy person to come to the office. Well next thing I know, they're in the backyard discussing what HE wanted to put down over my weedblock so that we wouldn't have to go through this part again. Well that would have been alright with the type of rocks that he decided on but then he decided he wanted a path in the growing area. Mind you if you look at the pics, a path in that space is not visually pleasing in the area that have already visualized in my head. I was so upset and didn't hold back (no i didn't yell or anything like that) and let them know that this is not a part of my plan. The rocks are perfect but the path is not a part of the design and takes away the space that is needed. I also told them that weed block is needed before they put the rocks down in the other area..he said that weed block does not work and i told him it does when you know what you're doing. You have to know what you're doing in order to control weeds. Then I turned around and went back inside. I am so hurt because I feel as though "my" little piece of heaven has been invaded with his insight. He is an attorney and great at interior decorating and I hate interior decorating and has to have his hand in everything, so i couldn't even suggest what to do in his area of expertise. I just feel that I do know that the hours spent thinking about how I would like it to look like is tainted a little. I thought I was alright with it and could work around it but I guess I was wrong. He just wakes up and thinks about things with no rhyme or reason, when I visually plan over seasons. I do realize that this is HIS office and humbly acknowledge that fact, but I just thought that since nothing had been done all those years that he would stay inside and let me be the gardener I know that I am. Finally, I had a space to reasonably work in, so I thought. I am in tears now over this believe it or not..I truly feel like that the part of myself has been stabbed in the gut because I needed that freedom so that I can showcase my natural talents to try and help others as well as help myself---show them how they can garden and what they can have in a relatively small space. I guess that's why I would need a home instead of an apt. but then that would defeat the purpose. I think though what I will do is take him outside today and explain to him, so that he can see my passion for gardening. This is just not an hobby to me but a passion. I want him to be able to feel what I feel about his place...I can't take it with me I just want him to step back and understand. I don't think he really realizes how much gardening is a part of my life. Wish me luck!!! Have a Great Day!


Last edited: Wed Mar 28, 2012 12:25 pm

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eileen wrote on Wed Mar 28, 2012 12:46 pm:

All the luck in the world HB. I hope your boss listens to you this time and allows you have a free hand with the garden space. After all he never bothered with it before so he should let you to get on with making it into somewhere to be proud of. After all it's to his benefit to get it looking good.

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hummerbum wrote on Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:28 pm:

Thanks Eileen. I'm really feeling as though I should say nothing. Mixed feelings because I don't think he will hear me. Just that type of person.

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marlingardener wrote on Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:27 pm:

You aren't going to like this, but the guy is a control nut and won't let go. After you speak calmly to him about the area, if he persists in doing it his way, let it go.
Find a community garden, a nursing home, someplace public and make a plan, on paper, in color, and present it to the governing board, president, lady-in-charge. Tell them you will plant it and maintain it. Make sure everything such as who pays for the plants, who chooses seating areas and path surfaces, any details like that are written down, all parties agree, and make it for a certain time frame (say two years).
You'll have your garden; people will enjoy it; and although your workplace won't be as pleasant as possible, you won't be laying awake at night.
And if your boss is out in the area at work, I have some poison ivy starts I can send you!

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cherylad wrote on Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:49 pm:

I aay share your design ideas with him and explain you've made those choices.
My boss is a control freak too... so I understand. But please do tell him your thoughts and feelings... he might just surprise you!
If not... Jane's idea is a good backup plan.

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hummerbum wrote on Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:53 pm:

The funny thing is Marlingardener, that I am just about ready to let it go because he is a control nut and ususally I go to him when I have issues with him, but this time I have nothing to say...I agree on trying to find another place to go and I will take your suggestions.
Oh also, no thank you to the Poison Ivy. I have a few around somewhere...LOL
Thanks

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toni wrote on Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:44 pm:

Why not sign up for a Master Gardener's course. While learning you also get the chance to work on other gardens and part of the course requirement is to work in the community creating a garden or maintaining one, etc. That will give you a great outlet for the designs running around in your head.

Besides, if he mentioned the garden idea to his wife she maybe the one who told him what his garden design ideas are and you have no chance of superseding that.

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hummerbum wrote on Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:49 pm:

LOL Toni...no she has no idea what is here...she stays away and that was from her own mouth.. I am a Master Gardener...I was trying to help make that space better for all of us since it was right here with me everyday, but I do understand what you are saying!!!

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