From the sidelines, I watched this annual event with great joy. No doubt, as a spectator, the prespective was very different from the folks in the crowd. I had so much fun. They did too. It’s obvious form the photos.
I am posting a couple different stories. The Event– the lines, the line up, the free for all, the bounty. To put the reader in the event, I have also chronicled my friend Adrienne in her journey. Thanks Adrienne for being such a good sport about it. Oh, and Gloria is in there because when I reviewed the photos, a sequence of her presented itself!
THE EVENT
There were some 5000 plants (about 300 taxa). Members knew in advance where the plants were placed. Careful strategies were involved. See below some strategy photos.
There are 3 rounds: First, Second, and Free for All. The first and second rounds allow each to choose 3 plants. After a couple of minutes to reposition themselves, it goes to round 2. Again, they can choose 3 plants each. The final round is a free for all. They can take as much of anything they can grab.
The line
From the line to their first position
Position before the start – they must be behind the white line. There is a faint white line there…their toes must be covering it.
The Free for All
Helen in the empty field
Good thing he had a moon roof – see tree coming out the top
The Adrienne Chronicles
Adrienne is in the pinkish sweatshirt, in the center. Here she waits in line.
Here’s Adrienne in the lineup. I’m wondering if she is re-thinking her strategy. Gloria is standing next to Adrienne. It would appear Gloria is confident in there strategy.
There goes Adrienne -sprinting to the next position.
This is serious stuff
If I thought of it, I may have staged this shot…but I didn’t. This really happened and they both got to the pot at the same time. Adrienne graciously gave in to Ging – a friend of ours. On the left, is Charlie Kidder, a friend and fellow JCRA board member.
The Bounty! Adrienne went home happy.
Strategy
Here we have a post event gathering to compare notes. The smile of Jayme’s face says success to me. Their palms reveal their mapping strategies. Each had the details of their individual priority mapped on their hand as to where to be at each round. Jayme and her husband Phil Abbott will open their garden for the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days tour also benefiting the JCRA in September 2009. I’m sure she will be happy to show you the plants she got.
The game plan
Plan B
Gloria
Here’s Gloria
Now you see her…
There she goes…sprinting the 3 feet to the first pick
Now you don’t see her…but look closely, there she is picking up her plant.
1 second from beginning to end.
Here’s Gloria with her friend Ruth – both are volunteers maintaining the Winter Garden with others from the Raleigh Garden Club.
The Carriers
Gardening With Confidence ™ 
