2018 Recap Rap: A Poem about The Work I Love

Southwest Yard & Garden by Dr. Marisa Thompson

O’er the past year we’ve learned about growing and gardening

Much was uplifting and some just disheartening. 

From fungus gnats in soil that’s wet 

To learning about the emerald ash borer threat

We covered troubles with old trees, new trees, and grapes

Reblooming orchids and pruning mistakes 

I’ve written ‘bout fruit trees and some of their horrors 

Fire blight, frost damage, and apricot borers 

We gave reasons to leave winter gardens in squalor 

And mechanisms explaining how leaves change their color 

Pomegranates bursting early are the absolute worst 

Some days it seems that our gardens are cursed

But we try try again, and we dust off our pants,

For they say the best gardeners have killed the most plants. 

Fifty-two columns, that ain’t nothing to sneeze at

Thanks to others who’ve helped me when I’ve fallen flat

Upcoming columns o’er the NEXT fifty-two weeks 

Will also be chock full of garden techniques

  

From decorative bulbs and wild artichokes 

To rare prickly pears and varieties of oaks, 

From tomatoes to tulips, the topics wide-ranging,  

I’m revising tree lists ‘cause the climate is changing.

No matter what happens, this year we’ll be learning

‘bout plants that are easy and some more concerning

Send questions about daffodils, tomatoes, and mulch 

Or ask about planting alongside a steep gulch 

As always, you’ll find info links on the blog 

Where columns are listed in a long catalog

The internet’s rich with virtual classrooms

Follow our program @NMDesertBlooms. 

We'll try to help out as much as we can 

Whether you’re growing potatoes or trees of pecan 

I’m looking for plant problems much like a vulture

There’s lots to be learned in the world of horticulture

No question is stupid. I'm not a snob.

I’ll take the easy and tough ones ‘cause I love my plant job

If YOU’RE interested in it, you’ve got my attention. 

That's what we do here in Cooperative Extension.