Friendship brought on by connections

First drafted in late May 2026…yeh, I’m late to publish but the ideas for the entry haven’t changed.

We have been very busy this spring and early summer as have all other nurseries and yesterday was no exception; not hot but warm and sunny, just a beautiful day. What pleased me most about yesterday were the friends that came in. People I hugged and shook hands with. Some of these gardeners I’ve known for many years and they are an extended family.

I had a surprise visit from the owner of Morgan Composting. If you didn’t know Morgan Composting is the only soil amendments we sell. The reason being it works and there is no need to sell anything else. I’ve known Brad Morgan since before he and his family ventured into the business of composting. He stopped up just to say hello and it was great to see not only the owner of Morgan’s but a good friend.

I helped load a tree for a new visitor to the nursery. After some banter while loading we realized we were both the same age. I had commented that there were no car seats in the back so it was easy to drop a seat to transport his tree and how Renee and I have two car seats not allowing the seat drop. He explained both his children lived out west so no need to lug around car seats for grandchildren. His first visit to the nursery and after a handshake I felt I had met a new friend.

I re-met some folks while loading them with mulch. I’d helped them with landscape ideas a few years ago. They shared how much they enjoyed their landscape which led to other short conversations, connecting  myself with their landscape but more important connecting me to them.

Later in the day the nursery was visited by dear friends from Leland. I have befriended not only the matriarch of the family but her entire family. One of those children accompanied her. Seeing them both brought such joy to my heart. The special thing about these two is they know the entire staff by name. Being able to hug both mother and daughter was very special to me. They didn’t need to purchase anything, it was just great seeing them and connecting.

Yes, selling plants is what keeps our doors open. However, revisiting with old friends and making new ones holds equal importance. Stay cool during our July 4th summer warm up, be sure to wear ear plugs for noisy planes but most of all connect with friends.