I was delighted to see the story in yesterday's New York Times about Prince Charles. (www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/dining)
Long maligned by the British press for "talking to plants," Charles, it turns out - and we gardeners have known this forever - is a great friend to anyone who gardens organically. No less a luminary in the culinary world than Alice Waters said of the prince: "He is, in private, really one of the most forward-thinking, radical humanitarians I have ever talked to."
He's all for "responsible stewardship of the land, preservation of rural life and the need for good food grown without chemicals or worker exploitation." There's plenty in there that relates to gardening, even if you don't grow veggies.
All I can say is, it's about time - for organics and for Charles. You just can't believe everything you - used to - read about this guy.
Last summer, while reporting on a story about the intern-inspired "stumpery" at Morris Arboretum, I learned that Charles was so enamored of these peculiar Victorian garden features, he had one built at Highgrove, his organic farm. At the arboretum, by the way, the stumpery's turned out to be a favorite spot for photo ops.
And then yesterday, I read that he uses seaweed for fertilizer. (See earlier posting)
Way to go, Charlie!
Say what you will, I like people who talk to plants. I think Charles is a pretty smart dude.
