I'm an avid gardener and have landscaped two homes — a small quarter-acre in a California suburb and a one-acre in Port Angeles in the past six years. Both gardens had fountains, pathways, statues, sitting benches, roses, climbing vines — basically my dream of what a secret garden should look like. Serene, beautiful, and enticing.

Throughout my ventures, I was told by family and friends that I was wasting my money — that I would never get what I paid into the garden out when I sold, if I could sell (Plant Life, "Growing Assets," Dec. 19). When I listed each house with a realtor both times I was told that because there was no lawn and high garden maintenance the house would be a problem sell. They recommended that I lower the price to compensate for the lack of the yard. I ignored the realtor's suggestion and increased the asking price in accordance to how much I had invested in the garden. I admit I had done most of the work myself — saving labor costs, but I increased the asking price substantially.

Disgruntled realtors shook their heads — silly woman she'll never sell. I told them maybe the property would not appeal to the average buyer, but who does not love beautiful landscaping? After all, could you imagine an English chateau with just concrete? Why do people pay to see the Butchart Gardens? I only needed one buyer . . . that passionate gardener . . .

Bottom line — I sold the first house in two days — the highest-priced house yet in the neighborhood for the size. I sold the second house — with the one large acre — in one day. The buyers' response; they absolutely loved the cottage garden.

Lesson to be heard? For all you gardeners who are told you will not get your resale value out of the property — work with your heart, ignore those who are negative. Enjoy your garden. When and if you sell, other people will appreciate your efforts. It's such a rare sight in a suburb, something colorful, other than green privets and the occasional juniper.

I have since bought another house in the 'burbs complete with a little patch of lawn outlined by a fence. I quote from another gardener — "Why must houses sit in the middle of a plot, bunches of round ugly plants clustered around the house like a turkey surrounded with clumps of parsley?"

I cannot wait for spring — shovel in hand, bricks in the wheelbarrow, fearless as I transform the next Whoville yard into a piece of living art.

From a gardener who cares, healing the concrete jungle one garden at a time,

Bobbi Fothe
Seattle

United On 'Divided'

If Bill Dietrich's offering in the Jan. 2 Pacific Northwest magazine is any indication ('Lost in the Middle'), readers have much to anticipate in the coming months in your new "Divided We Stand" series. Terrific essay!

Jean L. Hohnstein
Port Townsend

Raise a glass

Here's a wonderful toast that seemingly covers everything: "Health, wealth and happiness — and the time to enjoy them" (Taste, "Here's to Hoisting," Dec. 26).

I've used other generic toasts over the years and keep coming back to this one. I first came across it 30 years ago in a John MacDonald Travis McGee novel, where it was called an old Spanish toast.

John McKillop
Bainbridge Island

A home-grown effort

Thank you for the article Nurturing Our Roots (Taste, Jan. 2). I'd like to make some important clarifications about the PCC Farmland Fund and its role. The PCC Farmland Fund is an independent, community-supported 501(c) 3 land trust. The PCC Farmland Fund was founded to preserve threatened farmland and turn it into organic production. While it was founded in 1999 by PCC Natural Markets, PCC does not run it. The fund wasn't founded to ensure a steady supply of food to PCC stores and has no jurisdiction over where or to whom farmers sell their products.

More recently, the fund has succeeded in saving another farm called Bennington Place located in Eastern Washington. This farm raises livestock and poultry in a natural environment with no growth hormones or antibiotics and is in transition to organic certification.

Stephanie Taylor
Director, PCC Farmland Fund
Seattle