by Bob Clarke - Curator
In my 17 years as a volunteer and curator of the Takata Japanese garden at HCP, I have known six different head gardeners - some great some not so great! Some got burned out and exasperated when too much was expected of them and some got fed up with trying to solve the problems of the antiquated irrigation system that has never kept pace with an ever expanding garden. In my estimation, Linda Petite (and she is petite) is the cream of the crop.
She is competent, cheerful, and seems to be everywhere at once!
She took the job on her terms and obviously opted for a scaled down pay-cheque, while others were brought on board to handle the jobs that were a burden.
Like other head gardeners before her, she is hampered by a budget inadequate to meet the demands and requests of those curators and volunteers without whom, this large garden could not begin to exist.
The Saturday group of volunteers, which, Michael Dowling popularized, has been given a shot I the arm by Linda's winning smile and personality, as well as her tireless work ethic. Linda is an absolute delight - and definitely a keeper.
bring houseplants and tropicals indoors before fall frosts
