[blparent] Off topic - garden plants

[Steve Jacobson]

Kai,

There is a great deal that a blind person can enjoy about gardens and flowers without seeing them.  The different 
fragrances is just one example.  I would guess that most of us wouldn't feel that a flower has to have one 
characteristic or another if gardening is an interest, we would probably be more concerned that we have a garden 
we can be proud of when seen by others.

On the other hand, there are some of us who just are not all that interested in getting fertilizer under their 
fingernails.  I'm one of those even though I've done a good deal of pulling weeds and even a little planting in 
the yard of my house.  Having said that, I am not at all above enjoying fresh tomatoes, carrots, or raspberries 
that someone else has grown.  <smile>  I also very much enjoy the scent of apple blossoms and other plants in the 
spring.  However, there isn't a flower out there that would likely turn me into a dedicated gardener.  I guess 
what I'm trying to say is that your best bet is to talk it over with her, see what her interests are, and go from 
there.  Would she like flowers that could be picked and brought into the house, for example?  Is she interested in 
learning about gardening?  Would she enjoy planting some herbs that she might use when cooking?  Is her role more 
to enjoy the results or develop an enjoyment of making things grow?

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Tue, 25 Feb 2014 19:31:33 +0000, Kai Johnson wrote:

>Hi,
>My wife is blind and I am sighted, and I'm trying to plan a garden that we
>both can enjoy. I tried asking around on gardening lists and groups in the
>area (I live in Boston), but most people and organizations don't have much
>information on plants and trees that have blind interest (are tactilely
>interesting, are fragrant, or perhaps make noise somehow), and the VI
>organizations I contacted in my area (Perkins, Carroll) also said it's not
>their area of expertise.

>So here I am! Hoping to find blind gardeners and allies to help me come up
>with some options. Do any of you have garden tips, either for the actual
>gardening (tips, techniques), or for plants with tactile interest or
>similar features? I'm zone 6a, but am not afraid to overwinter tender
>things indoors, so as far as I'm concerned anything is game.
>Thank you!
>Kai
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