In response to the article "A growing divide" (Jan. 11) about rifts among gardeners, I'd like to point out some potentially harmful generalizations. I am an "all-natural," young, ornamental-flowers farmer.
I realize that gardening is a very personal and forever unfolding exercise. Perhaps it is pride fertilizing ego, but criticism of others' techniques is invasive throughout the field.
There are tips and inspiration to be obtained from anyone getting their hands dirty. I feel it needs to be acknowledged, however, that many gardening products are indeed damaging to the very environment being nurtured.
Simultaneously, there is a large diversity of high-potency "organic" products that any gardener can get excited about. These living alternatives often have a wider range and more sustained benefit to the garden compared with isolated synthetics.
So let's divide only after we have grown large and strong enough to warrant propagation. Until then no mud-slinging need be done on this front.
These winter months are a perfect time for research and development.
ALISON FEIK, MAPLE PLAIN
