“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Did your Mama or Daddy teach you this, or even Grandmother?
As grown-ups my kids said to me “Mom, we had no idea you didn’t like bell peppers.” Because green peppers are a ‘super food’, I cooked with them and made stuffed green peppers. My entire family love green peppers. It was and is important to me that my children make their own decisions without me influencing them with negative comments.
We can heavily influence our friends and family by portraying people, plants & products in a positive light. You know its true. A third-party endorsement and good PR about a product or person is far more valuable than an advertisement. Why? Because anyone that can write a check can buy advertising; but when real people say good things about people or products it has the power to influence our decisions about that person, plant or product. I know I read the Amazon Reviews written by real people before I decide to buy a product.
Here’s an example about roses. I grew the popular hybrid tea rose ‘John F. Kennedy’ in N. Illinois in the 80’s. It didn’t perform well for me. I grew to dislike the rose. So when my Texas rose garden apprentice, friend and neighbor, Karen Crelia chose ‘John F. Kennedy’ for her front yard show piece rose I didn’t say one word. Remember there are variables in play like the Texas soil, climate  and which grower grew her plant that may affect how well her JFK would do. In the Texas climate and soil ‘John F. Kennedy’ may do very well. Guess what? Her ‘John F. Kennedy’ was spectacular!
So Here We Grow Again
‘John F’ Kennedy’ is blooming in the sandy loam soil of central Illinois with Organic Mechanics, organic soil. I add 2 cups of Mills Magic Rose Food. in the organic soil mix and top with Canadian Spagnum Peat Moss. This is my first bloom of ‘John F. Kennedy’ it was just planted this spring as a bare root rose. It looks like it’s going to do very well.
By the way. Chris Van Cleave said his Grandmother told him “If you can’t say something nice then come sit by me.” I love that quote!
