I’m genuinely impressed with Dale Haney, who has held the esteemed position as the superintendent of the White House grounds and is now stepping down after a remarkable 50 years of service. It’s also been his duty to walk some of the most famous dogs! I applaud the Washington Post for recognizing his significant contributions with a profile as he retires.

However, this isn’t the story I was expecting. If you don’t have access to it, you might be able to find it via your local library’s online portal.

This marks the second time I’ve expressed disappointment about the Post’s garden-related articles since Adrian Higgins’ departure. The paper now often assigns gardening stories to writers who don’t seem to have any real experience or understanding of gardening, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region. (Reference: “Should garden advice pretend to cover the whole U.S.?”)

For a small comfort, there were other factual inaccuracies in the article, as some readers have pointed out in their feedback.

I’d like to highlight a few gardening-related concerns I have:

When Are Tulips Planted?

I snapped a photo of the Rose Garden’s tulips in April 2022.

According to the Post’s article, Haney supervises the planting of 8,000 tulips around the White House fountains every spring. But any gardener worth their salt knows that tulips are generally planted in the fall, not spring. While there are some instances of spring planting, these require specific conditions and precautions.

From an old interview with Haney, he mentioned his admiration for the spring display after winter and described the tulips and hyacinths around the fountains. But nothing in that statement suggests the tulips are planted in spring. A rookie mistake, perhaps?

Daily Watering for Houseplants?

The article suggests that Haney waters the Oval Office plants daily. This seems a stretch from Haney’s statement about ensuring the plants are well-tended. Overwatering is a common error new plant owners make.

Mowing Frequency?

The article claims that the lawns are mowed twice a week from spring through fall. While it may be true during the peak growth periods, most lawns in the area don’t require such frequent mowing, especially by late summer and into fall.

Every President a Gardener?

Haney stated in 2003 that all presidents have shown interest in gardening. While I respect his position, it’s hard to believe every U.S. president has had a passion for horticulture. I’m tempted to consult an expert for a second opinion on this.

Royal Visit Timing

Regarding Queen Elizabeth’s 2007 visit, Haney mentioned the unfortunate timing, wishing it was a week earlier when the dogwoods and apple trees were in full bloom. It’s a sentiment many gardeners can relate to – nature has its own schedule!

To sum it up, while Haney’s legacy at the White House is noteworthy, it’s essential for publications to present accurate and informed content to their readers.