Cultivating Joy: Unearthing the Fun in Gardening!

During my third year in college, I secured a summer position at Flowerwood Nursery in Alabama. While driving to either the Alabama or Florida beaches, one passes through Mobile. Once you cross that lengthy bridge, the vast nurseries with numerous greenhouses come into view, stretching as far as the eye can perceive. The majority of these belong to Flowerwood Nursery. They also operate four additional sites in different areas of South Alabama. I was assigned to the Dauphin Island farm.

Flowerwood Nursery stands as one of the South’s premier nurseries, cultivating all the plants you’ve likely heard of, including encore azaleas, the Southern Living collection, endless summer hydrangeas, and the knockout rose family, plus a lengthy list of other flora that I couldn’t possibly enumerate. Their website is exceptional, serving as a fantastic resource for plant names and inspiration for your upcoming projects. Flowerwood Nursery’s site displays remarkable images of each plant they cultivate, organized in alphabetical order.

Like many nurseries, it originated as a backyard pastime back in 1938 and has evolved into a third-generation wholesale nursery that ranks among the largest and finest in the nation. The moment my final exam concluded, I hopped into my 1965 Volkswagen Beetle and drove south, hoping that my car would endure the trip. My father had been purchasing from Flowerwood for as long as I could recall, so I recognized a few of the salespeople from earlier times. My sister, Karen, had summered there and had a wonderful experience, so I was eager to discover what I could accomplish. Flowerwood offered affordable rental homes nearby for employees like myself who needed short-term accommodations. I moved in with two other staff members and commenced work the following day.

The place was overwhelmingly vast. Eventually, I navigated the seemingly endless rows of plants and greenhouses. My responsibilities during that summer included transplanting azalea liners, which are four-inch pots containing rooted azalea cuttings, into three-gallon pots. There were tens of thousands of liners awaiting transplantation, with more being produced every minute. Completing the task seemed impossible.

I collaborated with Filipinos who had been there long enough to establish highly effective and rapid methods of completing the work. The women expertly took cuttings from mother plants, dipped them in a rooting hormone, and swiftly placed them into the four-inch pots. I worked alongside the men, filling the three-gallon pots with soil, loading them onto large carts towed by tractors, and planting a rooted liner in each pot. After this, we transported them to the field, where they would grow for another three years until sold. Their journey would end in an 18-wheeler bound for a garden center across the nation. It’s still astonishing to me that a plant can take so long to become market-ready for about six dollars back then. This is why they engage in such high volumes; the profit margin is quite narrow.

I recall my direct supervisor frequently shouting “three ones and two-threes!” This meant that no one was allowed to carry fewer than three one-gallon pots or two three-gallon pots in each hand. The next time you’re at a garden center, give it a try; it’s quite a challenge. I was determined to match the pace of those who had been there longer. They found my attempts amusing, but at least I entertained them.

Another task I had was to mix enormous heaps of soil on a concrete pad using a front-end loader. They shared the secret recipe with me so I could mix a pile substantial enough for a day’s work. It was enjoyable to watch the mound transition from a mountain into little piles as we finished the last bit at quitting time. I believe my hands are still somewhat affected by that job.

I had my weekends free and was surrounded by some of the most stunning beaches on the planet, so I spent my weekends crabbing and relaxing by the ocean. Realizing that school would soon start again in about a month, I arranged for an inexpensive flight to Jamaica. I understood that I could easily be replaced by another set of helping hands. The owner permitted me to store my Beetle at one of the rental houses, and I embarked on an adventure with the savings I had accumulated from that job.

I acknowledge this was yet another of my whimsical, impulsive ideas, but I contacted Trek Bicycle Company with a proposal to sponsor me on a trip. My plan was to ride my bright yellow Trek mountain bike around the island of Jamaica while taking numerous photos featuring the bike, which they could then use for advertising purposes. To my surprise, they responded with “thanks, but no thanks” instead of dismissing my request entirely. I thought it was kind of them to even reply. I reflect on that and chuckle, but at that moment, it seemed like the best idea ever!

During my month there, I traveled across the country using mini buses and spent my last week getting closer to the Sunsplash Music Festival, held every year in August. Any Jamaican who could make it attended that three-day, three-night reggae music event. The year I attended was a tribute to Bob Marley, one of my all-time favorites. The week leading up to the festival was the most exhilarating part, as musicians and fans began arriving by the busload. I pitched my tent and immersed myself in the experience. The nights prior to the festival featured spontaneous jam sessions everywhere. I found myself in a drum circle alongside Bunny Wailer, one of the original Wailers. I couldn’t believe I was seated right across from one of my musical idols. When that week of excitement concluded, it was time to return home, and I was in need of some rest.

Upon my return to Flowerwood, I learned that the individual who operated the Garden Works 18-wheeler was en route to load up on shrubs. I assisted them in loading the truck, leaving just enough space on it for my Volkswagen. We maneuvered it onto the loading dock and drove it onto the back of the truck. I shared a few Jamaican tales with the driver, then crawled back into the truck’s sleeper and slept throughout the journey home. Once we arrived at Garden Works, I drove the Beetle onto our loading dock, unloaded the truck filled with bushes, and headed back to Starkville to complete my degree in horticulture.

We continue to purchase from Flowerwood, and it appears their quality and variety have improved even further. That summer will be unforgettable; a mixture of hard work and enjoyment. In fact, it was abundant labor and extensive fun; I recall that summer every time I pick up just one three-gallon azalea in each hand, a little act of defiance against my supervisor from that job.

I hope you have found your rhythm in this new reality we are experiencing. I’m looking forward to the new year, wishing everyone a year ahead that aligns perfectly with your desires. Every day free from an ice storm brings us one step closer to the arrival of spring.