Hey--ALL!!!

Do you ever check out the Articles and Ideas in the blue area on the left of
the ATP home page? That is a wealth of information from peoples ideas and articles.

Then--I found THIS! Go there and check out what will be new with ATP in times to come.
VERY interesting! Gita

http://garden.org/ideas/view/d...

Yes Gita, I saw that. Dave is a really competent programmer so I'm sure he'll be able to update that website easily.

I'm curious to see how ATP will be incorporated into NGA. What's interesting is that they have no owners to answer to or programmers to manage, because they own everything themselves! That's definitely one way to keep quality control but I wonder at what point it'll get to be too much for just one family to handle.

SS--
I did not mean to start a whole new thread! I thought I was just posting...
That will be the day when I think I "discovered" something new on ATP. that no one knew yet...
NO WAY!!!
Seems many people have already checked this out--as there are a lot of comments--all favorable.

In cruising the "Ideas and Articles"--the best thing I found on there is a Post by someone (?)
on the "10 most common houseplant insects" and how to treat them non-chemically.
Not sure this is the exact title--but I copied it out (3 pages) and will use this information to help
customers at work. Seems everyone wants to buy cans of some kind of killer spray to deal with Fungus Gnats.
First thing I ask them is--"So--are you planning to run all through the house and spray every Gnat?
It is near the end of the "Articles and Ideas" listings. I think, next-to-last topic.....

This is where I will spend 15 minutes "educating" the customer about Fungus Gnats.
I don't know why--but HD stopped carrying the "Mosquito Bits". Wonder what happened?
We still have the "Dunks". Glad I bought about 3 bottles of it last year. These will kill the FG larva.

I LOVE that I can turn people around in what they thought they needed to do--and then understanding
what they REALLY need to do. I do this a lot...... and they will always remember that i did and helped
them see...."The Light"...

Just the other day--a nice man saw me stocking shelves in aisle #1 and said to me--"SO? You are now working inside?
I said something like---"Well--there is nothing outside yet to work on"...besides, Aisle #1 is part of garden as well.
He said--I remember you! You are really good and you know a lot about gardening. "Thank you...humbly saying it 3 times...
And he said--NO! You really DO know a lot. AWWWWW>>>>>
I DO hear this a lot...from many long-time customers. Some people even remember me from my 1st 5 years
working in the GH and how nice everything was at all times.
Makes me very thankful and humble--but, deep down--it is rewarding.

Hope spring will arrives in a couple days! Gita

Part of my LR jungle....

That's so nice Gita. You Do know so much. I know of one associate at Lowes here that knows stuff, otherwise I regard them as seasonal/temp people who operate the register, and move and water things. (I'm sure if I went more often, I'd learn the long time people who have learned a few things or have more interest in their stuff)

Many people are very silly about pesticides.

I finally got caught up with the wonderful news from Dave and Trish. Thanks Gita.....I have not been too interested in much lately since I had to give up the stores, etc. I am excited for them and have wished them well.

Sally---You are no less informed about plants than i am. Don't be so humble...
It may be on a different aspect of plants--but i still will go to you for advice on things if I need .
AND--THAT IS HOW THIS FAMILY of MAG operates. It is all--give,help, take care of and share!!

eg:--I seldom "dig" for informational links or articles--but you do, as you work in a Library.
And then I learn a lot from those links.
--You also know most of the horticultural names--and I do not. "No "speakie dat lanuage-- Kapish?

--You also, actually, have a vegetable garden and you REALLY have to fight with Voles and Moles
and I do not. Lucky me! You DO know A LOT! I thank you for that.

--Unfortunately--in Spring, BIG Box Stores will hire anyone that 'seems" interested in and-willing and able to do
--a lot of hard, dirty work. "A Lot attendant" is NOT the most glamorous job--but it is "foot in the door" of
maybe a long-term commitment to the job you have. Take it and grow from it!!!!
--be self-motivated--do not wait to be told what needs to be done--SEE IT and DO IT!
--attend to all the needs of customers--above anything else you may be doing at the moment.
--show up on time as scheduled. Do not call out on weekends b/c you partied too much .
--Know that--all management is keeping an eye on you--SHINE! Do anything that you can do!
--and--maybe by some miracle--you will gain enough confidence to also segue into other departments
to help customers. THAT will REALLY get you "points"....
LEARN more about EVERY Department you can. Bonus points for sure!

I am NOT saying I qualify for all these expectations. But--I try--and I have also been there 18 yrs.

I LOVE my Home Depot! It is my "Home-Away-from-Home" and my second family.
As soon as I walk in the doors of my HD (on days I am working) --I become a different person.
I feel like I am "HOME"...I know the names of all 100+ employees--and they know me. I smile--on stop!

MY HOUSE is NOT the same as My HOME . My "HOME is where my heart is--where people know me--
accept me--respect me..no matter my age or my limitations. I will always prove them WRONG!

My "HOME" is where I retreat to for some R&R--and then spend hours taking care of MY garden,
mowing my lawn-watering...etc....LOTS of work here too....
YEAH! I like that too--but not as much-but having the option to quit any time I want to at my job.

OK! FYI---Bonnies Veggies and Herbs stand is up! No Tomatoes yet--but many herbs , cold crops,
Strawberry plants, Rosemary, Mints, etc. are in.
So is Spinach, Kale, Cabbage plants, etc...etc....Lots of Pansies are in too.

Early blooming shrubs and, Fruit trees too. Usual Spring stuff. GO SEE! Gita

Wow,, Gita, you were on a role today. Loved the information and I am amazed you have been at HD 18 years. It must be nice to have so many friends and extended family. I only worked in one large group and that was hundreds of years ago when I worked for the Air Force. Anyhow, I envy you for all you know and all you do. Love you girl. So glad we became friends.

Sally, do you two know each other off of ATP? I want to know where Gita gets her energy....and if you could see the stuff she has sent me over the years. Cutest darn things for me to put on my horseshoes. Her little people (gnomes) are so adorable and I have two hanging on my refrig for years. She has sent me cuttings and I used to sell them as Gita's Red or Gita's Salmon and we had a great time sharing her talents, especially her curly spider plants. She has the best curly spider plants around. She is one special lady.

OK, now that I have said my piece , I must get out of here and try and be productive. Except, I have almost nothing to do but stuff around the house and that makes me feel sick. I hate housework. Love you all. See you later.

Jacquie, Gita and I met on Dave's, and live about a half hour apart; we've shared rides to a number of swaps and get-togethers. she sure is generous with her plants!

Wonderful.....you guys are so fortunate. Have a great day.