Talk about poor timing...

17 years ago

I just got a call from Indianapolis Monthly magazine and they want to feature my backyard in their magazine in FOUR WEEKS!!!!

I told them that they should wait longer b/c we had the freeze, everything looks like caca, etc, etc, blah blah blah. Nope...4 weeks and the photographer wants to come out in the next 2-3 weeks to do pics.

HELLO, can you say "short notice"???? Looks like I'll be getting a huge truck of mulch NEXT WEEK and will be weeding, edging and planting like a crazed woman! ROFLOL

Im curious if extra watering makes the hostas unfurl more quickly once they are already up....? I'm trying to figure out ways to get stuff up and as big as possible asap. I know, short of being God, there is probably not going to be a way...but I figured I'd try. :)

Thanks!

Andrea

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Comments (25)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
you can only do what you can do ..

tell the sob story to the photographer .. and let him deal with the writer and the editor ...

and put a good pitch in for the convention .... get in touch with the head of it.. and make sure they get involved with the paper.. all press is good press ...

idiots..

ken
hostared
17 years ago
Oh Andrea you couldn't get them to feature your yard the next month. It would be so perfect then.

Well girl, roll up those sleeves, get the coffee brewing and your coal miners hat on for night work.

You got some work cut out for you, don't ya!
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wolflover
17 years ago
I don't have any tips for you, but just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS! I remember seeing pictures of your yard and pond last year and they are extremely beautiful. I know you'll do what you have to do.
Good Luck!
Dawna
maryann_____chgo
17 years ago
Assuming their focus is on Indianapolis backyards, that's what you have and it is what it is . . . .already lovely, that's why they want yours. Don't make yourself crazy! Spruce up and mulch, then relax and enjoy.

I remember one particularly rainy spring when everything grew like gangbusters and never looked better so maybe extra water will speed things along. I'd love to see your garden.
Hosta_Haven
17 years ago
I don't know what to say, if I lived closer I would come over and try to help!

Like Hostared said...if they'd only wait til late May/mid June those hostas would be GORGEOUS! You have any tulips??? They're CRAZY not to wait!

Char
ademink
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the encouragement, everyone (and for expressing my sentiments so perfectly ken..."idiots" LOL). That miners hat isn't such a bad idea! LOL

I'm SO glad that I was a complete freak w/ too much time on my hands when the freeze hit and dug up all of those hostas and put them in my kitchen! LOL At least SOMETHING will be open when they get here!!

After I kept trying to get the editor to move it to a later date, I finally said, "well, I hope your photographers are also magicians".

The good thing is that the focus is on the pond and it even looks fairly good in the winter. It was a pool to pond conversion so that is the interesting factor, I guess. So I think w/ good photography and some conveniently placed greenhouse perennials...it'll be okay.
caliloo
17 years ago
I'm sure you gardens will be lovely even at an early date.

And if they seem a little sparse, just tell the photographer that he is welcome to your hosta photos on your computer and he can photoshop them in to his hearts content. If wayside and Jackson-Perkins can do it, so can he! LOL!

Alexa
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
a garden is a garden whenever it is visited ... carpe gardum .... lol ...

dont worry yourself over YOUR preconceived notion of how or what it should be ....

though not fully leafed out .... it will still be wonderful ... just clean it up a bit ... and dont worry about it ...

they will NOT be looking at it through your eyes ...

peace out ... ohhhhmmmmmmm ... ken
ademink
Original Author
17 years ago
LOL...that's the truth, Alexa!!! I love it when I get magazines and you can see where they colored in the plant...how ridiculous!

LOL ken....carpe gardum...there's a fish in the yard (actually, after the pond cleanout...there are several rofl)

I guess if they want to photograph naked redbud trees, then have at it, folks. lol I'm just going to water water water water (but not drown...no worries) and edge the beds and mulch.

It's *amazing* how great everything looks w/ new mulch, ya know???
jspece
17 years ago
Don't fret over it Andrea...as hard as that is!! We've been featured in newspapers and last summer, the local news. All they will probably need is just a couple good shots. More often than not, the shots aren't even what you think is most spectacular at the time...at least, that's how it seems to work for me. It will turn out just fine!

If possible post a link to your article, if it is on the net!
Teresa_MN
17 years ago
Too bad they can't come in mid June. I could fly down early and help you out!
lynn_indy
17 years ago
Andrea, that's very exciting and I'm sure it will be fine. I just renewed my subscription yesterday so I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures. DH started another "project" in our backyard a couple days ago. I wonder if I tell them photographers are coming in a month he'll get his part done so I can plant.
indyrose
17 years ago
Congratulations!

And thank goodness it's your house and not mine! Our whole neighborhood is torn up with storm sewer reconstruction.

Can't wait to see your yard in print!

Rose
playinmud
17 years ago
Andrea it'll be stunning! Hope you'll be able to post pics for us to see.

Wish I lived closer, I'd love to give you a hand. I guess all I can offer is moral support and cheer you on!! RAH!

Keep us updated on your progress!
hostamanfred
17 years ago
Andrea,
buy some wine and snacks before they arrive, and don't worry - everything will be fine. Today I saw what just one day of nice weather at 56 degrees can do.
Keep posting pictures!!!
Manfred
ademink
Original Author
17 years ago
Yes...wine and wine is a GREAT idea Manfred! Oh...and snacks too. hehe ;D

It's funny you mention that b/c there IS a related story to that but I'm not sure I'm ready to embarrass myself that much in public yet. I'll have to ponder it. LOL!!!

I'll make sure to post pics!!!
maidofshade
17 years ago
Andrea, You will be Famous! LOL or should I say more Famous, You will do just great. Aren't you glad you shared your eating space with the hosta. Everything always looks better through the cameras eye. I can't wait to see the article. Good Luck and save some wine for after they leave. HAHA
aka_margo
17 years ago
Congrats Andrea! Don't fret, I've seen pictures of your yard and I am sure it will look beautiful!

I'm just glad it's you and not me. For some reason this year the maple seeds went crazy and I have billions of little maple trees growing in all of my beds. Which reminds me that our local paper said they would call me sometime this spring to take pictures. Guess I better be on tree patrol this weekend.

You will have to save the magazine so Gina and I can see it in June.
goldedger
17 years ago
Andrea

It will be beautiful!! Repeat this several times a day + drink wine. LOL

I remember seeing pictures of your pond and even without plants it would be gorgeous. With plants - magnificent!!

June
ademink
Original Author
17 years ago
Just checked out the yard after being gone for the weekend. I love how you can tell how much stuff grew if you are gone for a few days! My gorgeous Bloodgood japanese maple is dead from the middle up. UGH. Dry and brown and wrinkly. I'll have to figure out what I want to do about that since it's right next to the pond. Hey, take a pic of my stick! LOL

June, I am going to subscribe to your method of gardening. hehe Tomorrow I"m going to hit the yard w/ a vengeance! I'll keep ya'll posted!

I'm also going to make sure the water is flowing freely to the hostas the next two weeks and will find it interesting to see if their growth rate is any faster than others in the area perhaps not watering as often (ie Lynn).
lynn_indy
17 years ago
Andrea, it rained so much recently, that I haven't watered and I can't believe how big everything is already. We are supposed to get 1-2 inches here this week so you won't have to water. This weekend I will try to figure out how to post a picture of some of my plants. By the way, if you need help, I'm happy to help you. And, I tried to go to Soules last weekend but she wasn't open yet. However, the new bed in the front yard looked great.
ademink
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Lynn! My stuff is FLYING out of the ground! I just got home and I can't believe the difference between just this morning and this afternoon! YIPPEE!!!!

Just spent the day at Soules helping Cynthia get stuff ready for the AHS Convention - it looks awesome out there! She is definitely open now but I'm not sure exactly what the hours are and forgot to ask. DUH. LOL

Thank you VERY much for the offer to help me. I spent Monday and Tuesday edging *everything* and pulling every weed I could reach w/o passing out. LOL! I think other than mulch and "fine tuning", I'm ready to go. If something changes and I have a "911", I'll email you asap! :)

I look forward to seeing photos of your plants!
lynn_indy
17 years ago
Hi Andrea! I couldn't believe the difference in mine last night either -- amazing. I don't think we are getting as much rain as they predicted, but I'll check the rain gauge tonight. I think Cynthia's hours are 10-5 Wed.-Sat. I plan to be there Sat. at 10, I love that place. It sounds like things are going well for you with your getting things ready -- that's great.
fionasol
17 years ago
Andrea,
Congrats on Indy Monthly. If you need any help getting that mulch spread out, let me know!

Fiona
playinmud
17 years ago
Andrea so sorry to hear about your Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree. I feel your pain, my 8 foot Japanese maple died completely. I think it was the warm Jan/Feb and the drop to freezing temps in March.

Glad you're almost ready for the photographers!! Keep us posted.

Donna

Talk about poor timing...

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

hostared

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