I can handle it...

There are certain universal truths in our world. The Pick-up Truck Paradigm, for example. Anyone who's ever owned a truck has or will haul something (or indeed move an entire household) 'for a friend'. Conversely there is the Boat Rule; Never buy a boat, just find a friend with a boat...saves a lot of time and money. French cheese is superior - it just is.

I will share with you now the universal truth regarding Landscapers - which I am/was (a Landscape Designer that is) for many years. This undoubtedly comes up in conversation at all sorts of social functions, and the most common response when people find out I'm a landscaper is, "Oh my husband has some leaves that need to be raked up" or, "Why can't I get grass to grow in - fill in the location -?" To which I usually reply, "Oh, OK" or, "Probably too much acid in the soil." The acid thing always works because no one will ever actually test their soil. I'm sure there have been numerous backyard BBQ's where someone has said, "Yep, grass won't grow there 'cause the soil is too acid-y. We had a Landscaper out here last year." 

I know the Landscaper's Dilemma is a universal truth because it keeps happening to me here in Luxembourg...with Americans, Canadians, French, Luxembourgers, etc.  That said, I am an old softy at heart, and because I actually enjoying gardening I usually cave in and lend a hand to those who ask. I learned long ago that when working for friends...always work for beer (or wine as the case may be). When you toil for beverages, folks are much less likely to be critical. I have way too many get-togethers ahead of me to risk the story of, 'When Brian planted a Japanese Maple - and then it died.' Water your plants in the summertime people, and get those leaves up before your wife starts griping at me...you know who you are. Just a couple of free tips from a grizzled old gardener.

Will Work for Bordeaux.

 I recently popped in my first garden here on the Continent. While it won't win any awards, my 'Client' is pleased. Christian (yes, with the over-sized Caddy. I promise a proper photo soon - the dude is super camera-shy) just moved into a new apartment, and as many people do, he purchased a myriad of plants without realizing he had no way of actually getting them in the ground. Here's where I come in...for a day's worth of labor and years of professional experience I received a free haircut and a few bottles of French wine. Pretty good deal if you ask me. 

Not too 'Whiskey Tango' - at least he didn't make me sit in the front garden.

A popular Luxembourg aesthetic for gardens is what I shall call the 'Ratatouille Method'. In other words, buy one of everything (clear out the pantry), smash them into the same space (or pot) and see what comes up in the spring (ahem). I certainly understand the desire to purchase everything at the garden center, but when faced with the challenge of squeezing six pounds of flour into a five pound sack there are bound to be some issues. Fortunately I was on hand to talk Christian out of some rather dubious additional purchases ;)

Fig. 1-You recall this Luxembourg Garden Center, right? This is what a pro came up with!!?

Fig 2.-'Let's put this skinny green thing as close to that cherry tree as humanly possible.'

While not all gardens are this crazy, there really is a certain look to many of the green spaces around here...so, this was what we were able to come up with for Christian's back yard.

PSYCHE!

I shall get some more photos once things fill in a bit more...rumor has it there's to be a house warming party next month!