In honor of all the many mothers and daughters, sisters and grandmothers in the nursery industry, I give you a nursery Proverb 31.
Your work is valued and important. Think of those noble women who have come before us: the Gertrude Jekylls and the Betty Clebschs, and others too numerous to name.
A nursery woman of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than a new variety.
Her team has full confidence in her, and lacks nothing of value.
She brings her family, her business, and the community good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects Petunias, peppers and Piceas
and works with eager hands.
She is like a great adventurer, seeking her plants from afar.
She gets up while it is still night.
She turns on lights and starts trucks,
and sends her product on its way.
She considers a new piece of equipment and buys it.
Out of her earnings she automates her greenhouse.
She sets about her work intelligently.
Her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her sales are profitable,
and her heaters do not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the water wand,
and grasps the pruners with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the student,
and extends her hands to the community garden.
When it snows, she has no fear for her greenhouses,
for all of them are stout and strong.
She pulls crop cloth over tender plants.
She is clothed in raingear and boots.
Her plants are respected at the garden center,
where they line the bench among the others.
She makes colorful containers and sells them,
and supplies her customers with POP.
She is clothed with strength and perseverance.
She can laugh at the trials she will face.
She speaks with patience, and clear instruction to her staff.
She watches over the affairs of her nursery,
and does not allow weeds to grow.
Her plants grow and bloom on time.
Her customers also, and they profit together:
Many nurseries grow beautiful things, but you surpass them all.
Pot size is deceptive, and blooms can be fleeting;
but a woman who humbly tends to creation should be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her plants bring us joy in our garden home.
