I think it's great that you want to "talk garden" to people. You can learn so much that way. I have been gardening for 35years and I am constantly learning new stuff from chatting to others. I think the ones who disregard you would be doing so no matter what the subject matter. Some people are just NOT friendly. Don't be offended, it's not your problem, it's theirs. Move on to the next person and it could be a whole different story. Happy gardening!!
Cheers,
Dee.

I think the ones who disregard you would be doing so no matter what the subject matter.

so true!!

I love to talk to others abut gardening and do so frequently- stopping to admire others gardens, etc. Says alot about your willingness to learn and share. Also says alot about the people they hire-interested and knowing enough in their work; and friendly enough to stop, educate and share with the people paying his salary!!
Continue to talk away. You'll learn alot that way and make some new garden friends as well.

I spend lots of time in the garden, & on summer weekends or in the evenings it's not unusual for a vehicle or two to drive up and ask questions about plant material. I can't remember a time, regardless of how busy or pressed I might have felt to get a chore done, that I ever didn't feel like chatting, answering questions, or just giving a tour. On the flip side of the coin, I'm not at all embarrassed to stroll into someone's garden (or at least walk up to the edge) ;o) while they're working and strike up a conversation (which usually begins with a compliment).

Some gardeners love to show off their gardens. Others get their reward just from the fact that others can also enjoy the fruits of their efforts. In either case, there are few who don't like to "garden gab", so you wind up in a win-win situation.

Keep asking questions. The rewards are great and you'll make lots of new acquaintances & perhaps a true friend or two along the way.

Al

Rosa - It's interesting that our closings were so similar. I was writing about the time you hit the send button. ;o)

Al

I have found, generally speaking, that backyard gardeners tend be very happy to talk about their experiences. 'Workers' that you come across might be different story, depending upon the situation. You may come upon an hourly employee who would rather be doing something else, for example. ANYthing else!

If you meet someone who has chosen a 'green industry' profession as his/her chosen field, however, you will find a willing participant in gardening chat! Most of us find that even though we are acting in the role of educator, we always learn something from the 'pupil'! It's a good thing for everybody.

I agree with the above, but have another thought about "worker." If the worker was employed as a worker, his/her boss might not be happy with the working time spent chatting -- and an irate boss would certainly be reason enough for retinence. I'm personally acquainted with someone who is an avid gardener for the government. He'd talk your ear off at the slightest show of interest, but wasn't able to talk *while* working - the faster his mouth ran, the slower his hands moved :) He was finally exchanged from outdoor to indoor work, and no bones were made that the move was caused by all the time lost while he talked to folks passing by. So while I'll chat happily with private folks; I never, ever approach someone who is on someone else's payroll [other than those obviously employed by a nursery for our convenience).

That is a good and valid point Meldy.
Cheers,
Dee.

Understand where you are coming from Meldy, and not sure how things work in other states/counties or other parts of the world. But here, City and County workers are being paid from my bankroll too. And personally think that if relationships between the private citizens and county/city officials is going to improve they better be mighty proud of the worker who stops to answer a question, educate the public or even give directions (not to excess of course). At least here that kind of behavior is encouraged and the county/city workers understand that this too is part of the job-interacting with the public in a positive way with a positive attitude.
That's funny, Al. Gardeners are such friendly folk!!

I love to talk about gardening, BUT while im out playing in my dirt (as my fiance calls it) I dont want bothered by the phone or eating. It is such a relaxing time for me..Just having the fresh air to breath...no sounds but the birds, planes. winds...oh yes my dog barking at me to play with her...while im trying to tune her out lol...oh well.

Rosa - I think we all feel that gov't workers are being paid from our own wallets; however, have you ever computed just exactly how much of *your* money is part of *their* salary? -- unless you are a tax-paying multimillionaire, I'll bet you alone -or me alone- don't pay for more than a minute! As painful as it may be when pulled out of our personal wallet, the taxes we pay are spread awfully thin to include schools, road building and repairs, fire & emergency equipment/departments, parks, libraries, and on and on. 20 years ago while working for the local school system, I often heard that crack about my salary was paid for by (whoever was talking) and I computed then that the average resident contributed a whopping 10 cents a year toward my extremely low paycheck... both taxes and salaries may be higher now, but the overall percentage hasn't changed much. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox, but in my area there ARE public folks available for consultation -- but rarely will it be the guy or gal planting bulbs/pruning shrubs/spreading mulch, so why interrupt them while wasteing our tax money chatting with them? You'll get better information talking to your local extension agent, or folks in the college horticultural department, or the office staff of the Public Works or Parks department (or whatever the local name is for the office that oversees the local public greenerys). Note, please: When I say we shouldn't interrupt, I'm talking about conversations - not the (much appreciated) comment as you pass by such as "Those flowers look great" or "I really like how y'all keep this median looking so good." I truly feel that anything more -or other- than quick praise should go to the boss, not to the worker.

True point to consider too Meldy - that was what I was wondering too. That's why I was really cautious and asked if it's ok to talk before rambling on :) As others have noted, I do think that people who truly appreciate the garden (whether they are experienced or clueless like me) are usually a friendly lot who will always like to share the joy (perhaps not if there's a garden competition or something I suppose hehe!) :) :)

Talk away Dummy! It's not your responsibility if some public works guy isn't smart enough to talk and work at the same time. A lot of what I know has been gleaned from some very knowlegable professionals while they were on someone's clock.....and sometimes while on my clock too.
I find that the grass mowing, tree planting types can't talk and mow, rake or dig at the same time....but the designer and the landscape architecht and my neighbor who's so good with the roses can all dig, snip, plant and talk at once and are more than glad to tell you what they are doing and why. I remember watching a great pro planting a neighbor's garden and digging a hole and dumping in one thing, adding a little dirt, putting in another bulb and finally finishing with a perennial plant. I had never thought of planting 3 plants in one hole....but now I do!
Linda C

Ok, that's true that the amount may be small. But as a Federal worker (paid from my own tax dollars too), I am acutely aware of how I treat others while on the job. I am taught to be curteous and friendly and serve the public. I really don't want to give my organization a bad name because i was too rushed to take a minute to answer a simple question or have a chat with an interested citizen. Educating the public is key and not a waste of taxpayers money, imho.
As I've said, here our city and county workers do go out of their way to help and answer questions. It's a requirement of the job. Me, well I'd rather talk to the one doing the work (the guy/gal planting those bulbs and spreading mulch) than the person organizing the work from behind a desk.

join a garden club-or start one by putting a notice in the newspaper for gardeners to meet at the library to start a club. have it as simple as possible. become a master gardener through your county extension. I would love to have people stop and chat, while I keep working. maybe the one you tried to visit with was overwhelmed with a problem, or just with thinking about all the weeds they are dealing with. join some volunteers who might work in your area on a 'clean the park day' or 'removing garlic in the spring & buckthorn in the fall'. hang out at the gardening section of the library and chat with people who come to get books, mention that you are new to this and ask for something they could suggest-book, magazine, club-in a public setting they may be more open to getting to know you.