We're looking for non-DG gardening experts!

One of the "behind-the-scenes" administrative activities is for us to constantly seek ways to create the most enjoyable and knowledge-packed discussion forums we possibly can. One of the strategies we employ toward that goal is to occasionally offer a complimentary one-year subscription to a select handful of people whose expertise is highly-regarded and their advice is much sought after.

This year we're going to start the selection process with input from our subscribers.

Do you know of a gardening-world expert whom you would love to have join our forums? If you do, please provide their name and contact information (you might have to do a little digging to come up with an email address!) along with the reason(s) you think their presence would enhance our discussions. We'll go through your suggestions and make our selections for the 2004 professional courtesy subscriptions ASAP.

The best case scenario would be to have experts from a wide range of topics. Ideally, one or two names for each forum on this site would be perfect. Thanks for any help you can provide!

I have two suggestions for non-DG (I think they do not belong to DG) experts.

They are: Gail Austin< Portland OR. austing@interneteds.com

Al Rogers, Wilsonville, OR/ alrogers163@cs.com

Al has written and has been published a good book on Peonies.

Donna

What is Gail's expertise?

Hi dave,
I'd like to mention Tim Chapman.
tim@gingerwoodnursery.com
http://www.gingerwoodnursery.com/
Tim is a published author.
His travels have taken him around the world to study and collect gingers.
He also gives excellent lectures (I've been to one)
He really knows gingers and I think he would be very valuable to the Tropical Forum.

I'd like for you to ask William Woys Weaver. He's a busy man with lots of irons in the fire, but would be invaluable if he'd just stop in once a month or so.

He's an expert on anything edible that grows...heirloom or otherwise...and has recipes to back his veggies and fruits up with.

A published author of several well respected books and a wonderful source on cultivation and history.

I'll send you his address off list.

I agree with Melody,William Woys Weaver would be fantastic.


Also,i think P Allen Smith would be a wealth of information on many garden related topics.And also for recipes and crafts.You can read more about him at the link provided.
I do not have his personal e-mail address,but you can contact him through his web-site.

www.pallensmith.com

Felder Rushing.....hands down!!
(-;
§

I'd like to recommend someone, but I don't know anyone famous. :>(

However, I "third" the motion for Wm Woys Weaver.

How about Paul James of HGTV fame?

Oh Man! I love that crazy gardener guy, so I'm throwing in my second for Paul James.

I thought about Paul James, but I had two reservations:

1) I'm not sure he has the time to participate in discussion forums; and

2) if he does, HGTV may limit him to participating in THEIR discussion forums...

Markku Häkkinen is a famous researcher of the Banana/Musaceae family. How about? :) markku.hakkinen@pp7.inet.fi

I don't know him personally though.. but have heard of him and read about him in the internet. He also has given many bananas to the University Botanical Garden in Helsinki where I occasionally go.

I second Scooterbug's nomination of Felder Rushing too. Great choice!

Wouldn't it be wonderful to get someone like Eliot Coleman? :) Kathy

How did I know I am not the only one that loves Paul James?! He is such a riot and even makes gardening look fun to uninterested hubbies. ;)

Well, we won't know if we don't ask!! I think he would fit right in with this wacky bunch. :)

As far as "time", this is an optional thing, we can spend as much or as little time as we chose, not a set scheduled thing.

This message was edited Jan 7, 2004 11:43 AM

Mistymeadows, I had to think back a ways to recall Eliot Coleman, but after a quick websearch on his name, I agree he would make an interesting addition to the forums :)

Who else, y'all? Remember we're looking for as wide a variety of experts as possible - people are who are passionate and well-versed in palms or cactus or beans or roses or hydrangeas or bulbs or pests and diseases or water gardens, or ...well, you get the picture :o)

While TV personalities *might* be good choices, there are likely some less well-known experts who are as/more knowledgeable than their high-profile peers. As importantly, the lesser-known experts may have more time (and inclination) to participate in discussion forums.

The more names that are brought forward for consideration, the higher the likelihood we'll have some "takers", and the more diverse and interesting our forum discussions can become :o)

What about the people (and groups) who own (UK) National Collections of plants? Would there be an interest in such specific experts?

I don't know if anyone else has heard of Lance Walheim and I don't know much about him either but I do know he wrote or contributed to many books about roses, lawn care, landscaping and other gardening books. What I’ve read from his books has been very helpful.

Janet Macunovich, has been designing, planting and maintaining gardens and landscapes for nearly twenty years and started her own garden and landscape design firm - Perennial Favorites in 1984. Janet has developed garden and landscape seminars and workshops to meet the specific needs of prestigious organizations throughout Michigan and nationally. Her own formal education in horticulture involves extensive coursework at botanical gardens, colleges and universities. She is an Advanced Master Gardener and has authored six books currently available throughout the U.S., Canada and England. She hosted a weekly radio show “Green Side Up” on WXYT AM 1270 in Detroit from 1996-1998 and recently hosted the Gardeners’ Forum from the Michigan School of Gardening Radio Show on WYUR AM 1310 every Saturday morning. Her “Growing Concerns” column, which answers a variety of horticultural questions and concerns for novices and professionals, appears each Saturday in the Detroit News Homestyle Section and she also writes a column for the Michigan Gardener Magazine.

I know Janet personnaly she's really a great person, one of the most knowledgeable gardening experts I know.
She can be contacted at
http://www.michigangardening.com/


Paul

This message was edited Jan 7, 2004 1:18 PM

My suggestion would be Andre Viette. His overall knowledge of perennials, hybridizing, pest management, grasses is superb. We have been to his gardens many, many times and he is always available by phone after his radio show to answer questions.

http://www.inthegardenradio.com/help/index.cfm/fuseaction/ViewPage/page_id/28?CFID=1528246&CFTOKEN=31994927&

These are some outstanding nominations so far - thank you so much everyone!! Keep 'em coming - Terry is keeping notes on all the people mentioned in this thread.

Okay, I think I've got everyone who's been mentioned so far (12 names up to this thread.)

Baa, if there are some folks in the UK (or anywhere else in the world) you'd like to suggest, please feel free to do so.

Let's not forget Walter Reeves, a local GA boy done good! He was once our county Home Extension Administrator. He now has a syndicated radio show and has written several books. http://www.nextag.com/buyer/outpdir.jsp?nxtg=ed747_6F5511AD720B8266&doSearch=y&node=200000&dosearch=y&search=reeve+walter

Walter gives many talks and is one of the Master Gardener class instructors.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Walter+Reeves

This message was edited Jan 7, 2004 5:56 PM

and he's a great guy, down home and friendly

I third it! What about Erica Glasner too?

I agree with Baa. The various plant societies of the UK not only have the knowledge, but have vast quantities of practical experience. One that comes to mind is the Violet Society. I am sure they would be more than happy to contribute, and suggest a member for this type discussion forum. These plant societies are too numerous to mention. Their enthusiasm would no doubt rub off.

House Plants - Tovah Martin.

Edited for spelling.

This message was edited Jan 7, 2004 10:06 PM

How about Traci DiSabato-Aust? She's very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor that comes across in her books. I think she'd fit right in with this crew. :)

I think Paulgrow might have contacted her once for a Master Gardener's event -- Paul, do you have a contact e-mail for her?

Kimberly
I attmepted to contact her but never had any success.
I know she lives in the Columbus area.
Her book is Great.

Kimberly....you certainly have a good memory.


Paul

Dave, you might get more suggestions if you posted a link to this thread in some of the different forums.... daylilies, irises, roses, Hosta, cacti.,... ect.

I suggested Gail Austin from Portland, earlier. She is a prolific gardener, grows many Clematis, (some from seed), many Japanese Iris, hybridises hemerocallis, and grow very many on her city lot. I don't know whether she has published any books, but is very knowledgeable. Donna

Hmmmm, I wonder about Denny McKeown. I went to school with his kids. He is a local garden hero of sorts. He is always on garden shows and has books out as well. Haven't looked recently, but he also had a nursery about 20 minutes from me. I believe he mostly covers "Midwest Gardening". I'll have to do some looking.

The old memory ain't so bad after all! LOL http://www.bloomingarden.com/broadcast.html Had I known back in high school, that I would turn into such a plant nut, I would have tried to date his son! LOL

Had to add this link too. It made me smile (and maybe even laugh!). http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/05/14/loc_father_earth_defers.html

This message was edited Jan 8, 2004 11:37 AM

I would like to suggest Norman Winter for us Southern Gardeners.

Norman Winter is a horticulturist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. His office is located at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center at 1320 Seven Springs Road, Raymond, MS 39154. He can be heard weekdays at 7:19 a.m. on Public Radio in Mississippi.

Hey, Paul! I just remembered because we were both doing Master Gardener stuff at the time and it stuck in my mind. I wrote to Timber Press and asked if they could provide contact information for her. We'll see what happens. :) I've been checking online listings, too, for contact info.

I found a listing I think might be for their home - I've e-mailed it to Dave.

For Texas Gardeners, here's our guy! Neil Sperry. BTW, Dave, a good deer resistant plant to put with your caladiums would be impatiens.


http://www.neilsperry.com/


"eyes"

http://www.bestgarden.net/ for Midwest Gardening
danielle@bestgarden.net

I don't know her, but one look at her web site tells me that her place must be awesome.

I'll second Neil Sperry.

someone that knows DAYLILIES-Its all new to me but somene has to have a connection!