the green war at my doorstep

A former roommate told me that the first hummingbird that she ever saw was outside her window from the garden I have at my doorstep. It’s been a cheerful area where I left baby plants out for my neighbors. My porch garden after 15 years of thriving and cheering the area is now under threat. I received a text from my building manager that if I don’t get rid of the 4 potted plants outside my door, they will haul it to the trash. Mind you, I already dragged a ficus across my living room to place in my patio.

I’m being encouraged to not have any plants whatsoever and that their tolerance of me having plants is at an impasse. I’ve seen many building managers come and go and this one, though nice, is the only one to have requested that I be rid of plants.

I feel ill over this. I’m so upset, I can’t eat. Friends have chimed in with their supportive words. I wrote the building manager for a middle ground to meet where we both can be happy. While many have fur babies, I have my green babies. I have a green thumb. I’m good at taking care of plants and have always tended a garden since I was a child and it pains me to think of passing my babies to others let alone the trash.

People have mentioned that the area is ugly and desolate without the plants. All the cheer had left. How can anyone be anti plants? Isn’t it nice to pass a bunch of flowers? The paint has dried and I put the plants back minus 2 planters. They all have trays. The guy who repainted and waterproofed the area said the plants should be fine.

“But the paint will get wet and water stained” when I water my plants is what the building manager wrote me. I can’t get my head around their argument and threats. I’ve taken care of these plants longer than she has taken care of her dog.

I’m so sad.

Fight for the plants, my friends say. I’m fighting for the flowers, the hummingbirds, butterflies, and visiting bees that has brought me and others much joy.

JNET

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