Comments regarding Asparagus Gardener

It took ages for artichokes to arrive. No word from them and every time I got in touch they would tell me a different month. Finally they arrived in June and never made it.

The sunchokes I ordered came late but not as-late - they also never grew.

$80 down the drain and terrible communication.

Order of 2017 was not all shipped. I let them know and they would make it right the following year. I added to my order and paid for the added items in Jan 2018. After many emails checking on status, and being told their wagon upset and the raspberries are mixed up, I revamped my order and even added some things so they would not need to refund. After more emailing and phone calls still no responces or plants. Not even an invoices for the new amt I owe them. Last phone call they acted like they couldn't hear me and didn't answer when I called back. This morning I called, ask for a refund since I have been more than patient and I am told they are busy getting orders out for firefighters and they come first, I will have to wait two weeks. I said I am still waiting for items from LAST YEAR, and I thought it was my turn soon. Jillian went into a rant saying I am telling her what to do. I said I will contact authorities to get my refund, she asked if I needed their number? I have lost about $40, but I see here there has been much more lost by others. How do businesses like this get shut down???

I placed an order in late 2017 for a spring 2018 delivery. This was after I had an email exchange confirming they could send my order during my planting window. They confirmed and I placed my order. A month before planting I again confirmed they would ship as I would have only 2 weeks to plant, they confirmed. Halfway through the planting window I had contacted them again and they again stated they would ship. In the end they never shipped and ceased all communication when I asked for a refund. As I had paid via paypal it was easy enough to get a refund via paypal dispute. After the refund was posted to my account (they never did respond to paypal) I received a nasty email from Jill. I have since noticed they go under at least 3 or 4 different company names with different websites all selling the same items.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE CROOKS! Like others in this review, we were ripped off by this company. Ordered 4-Globe Artichoke plants in Dec 2016 and after a few months started calling and emailing to see what our ship status was. Spoke with "Jill" several times and was told that excessive rain delayed the plant development. Several times we were promised they were about to ship but never received anything. At all times we were polite and respectful during our phone conversations but on the last call (June), we expressed our concern that the growing season was half done at which point "Jill" suggested we ask for a refund, to which I replied that was our wish. As I attempted to ascertain what we needed to do to process a refund, she went into the most stunning rant I've ever experienced. Followed up with an email requesting a refund; no reply. Consequently we decided to send a Signature Confirmation letter demanding a refund; the letter was signed for by "R Goode". Still have received no response so we are going to escalate this. The Tennessee authorities should shut this business down or hold them accountable.

To Andy's Asparagus Acres - SHAME ON YOU - YOUR BUSINESS IS FRAUDULENT AND YOU SUCK!

Ordered 25 3 year old crowns in February. Credit card was charged for full amount. I called a couple of times to ask about a shipping date and was told that there had been so much rain that they were unable to get the crowns out of the fields. The last time I called, I was told that there was no guarantee of when the crowns would be delivered, and was hung up on. I have e-mailed and received no response. Because I was patient, I have no recourse through the credit card company. $150.00 down the drain. I would not suggest doing business with these people.

On Feb 27, 2017 I placed an order for 25 asparagus Root Crowns and 20 Giant Garlic Plants. Order was paid for through Yahoo! Store, set up by vender, paid by PayPal.
After many emails exchanged and phone calls about delayed delivery dates, I did receive a box with 25 asparagus Root Crowns a couple of weeks ago 5/10..., but not the Garlic Plants. After contacting "Andy" ....message was "Not enough room in box, on it's way"
Granted it's only $20 for the additional Garlic Plants...but I was stiffed for the remainder of my order.
Buyer Beware.

By far the oddest company I have ever dealt with.I would strongly recommend not ordering from them.

I am in the process of building a 60' raised bed for asparagus and plan to purchase 2 or 3 year asparagus roots for the new beds. I wrote a note to this company (also sell under the name andy's asapargus) asking whether I could also harvest the roots in my previous 10 year old asparagus bed. I then took the time to read the company's reviews here and when I noticed 50% or so negatives I wrote them a simple two line note to ignore my emails as their reviews were too bad to deal with them.

I then received a series of emails from "Andy" accusing me of not being a physician, being a terrible physician, that my patients hated me, over prescribing, only caring about money, and generally being a horrible person. The writer also stated that I was threatening her and that she would report me to "homeland security."

The writer also accused Dave's Garden of offering to remove the negative reviews for $2500 and that the reviews were created by the website to extort them for that money.

Happy to send copies of the emails to anyone needing a few minutes of entertainment.

Not sure I've ever dealt with any odder company. There are multiple reviews like mine on this website. Beware!

Dr Scott

After viewing the companies website, I decided to do a little more homework before placing my order. Through the carnival of colors and confusing layout, I noticed frequent spelling and grammatical errors which made me think I might have stumbled onto a fake website, possibly based out of Nigeria, designed by a lotto winning princess. I spoke to a woman that identified herself as "Rose". She began to rant about "bad shoppers" and "bad customers" and then spiraled into what can only be described as a breakdown of some sort. She said she never gives out the farm address because Burpee has previously sent a tornado to ruin her horseradish. She went on to say that there were "cry babies" suing her and she didn't need a lawyer because she could wear garlic around her neck and become invisible (or maybe "invincible", it was hard to understand her because she was doing a low whisper/growling thing),. I am left to wonder if eating too much asparagus can cause some type of chemical imbalance which leads to psychosis. Perhaps someone should study her.
I have learned that much like law enforcement, air traffic controllers, and soldiers, asparagus farming must be a high stress occupation. Clearly these people need our compassion and support, and quite possibly heavy medication. Maybe I will start a facebook campaign or a gofundme page so that her issues do not go unnoticed. Rose, if you are reading this, hang on, be strong, and always remember that the shipping costs are not your fault.

Posted on June 2, 2015, updated June 2, 2015

Wanted to order from these folks as they are just down the road from me and I was envisioning a long term customer relationship with them. . . but they wanted payment more than two months in advance of when they stated they would dig the plants - and insisted upon mailing the order to me at an increased cost and incurring unnecessary wear and tear on the plants. My instincts were telling me to cancel - which I did. When I cancelled my order, explaining some of my reasons, I got a truly bizarre email from them. It was like the rants of someone with serious mental illness accusing me of wanting to "scope out [their] farm" and so on. . . and I was relieved that I did not engage in any kind of transaction. I deal with farmers all the time and have never before encountered one who is not proud of their farm or their plants and would not be thrilled to avoid shipping their goods. When I buy plants I really am looking for a quick and easy transaction that has no drama and requires no follow up. Now that I see other disturbing reports here I am even more relieved I listened to my instincts. You never know with someone that unstable what they might do next. I don't often review the vendors here but think this one is really important to avoid. Feeling like I really dodged a bullet!!

I have ordered from this company several times in the past years and have always been VERY pleased with the asparagus. I thought "If the asparagus is that good, lets try the strawberries"
I ordered and received the order. The strawberries were small and very soft on the top. We planted them and waited but we had a very poor rate of growing plants. We had a bad ratio of asparagus that did not emerge from this batch also. (Horseradish and garlic are doing GREAT)
I contacted them about this...
The response has been
Why did you wait to call?
Did you take pictures?
What is your soil ph? Moisture content? What fertilizer? Nutrients? How deep were they planted? When did you plant them?
They said, we see it was very wet in your area at the time you received them, probably a weather condition. We sent good plants... subject closed?
I have been a good customer for years, I have over 300 asparagus plants and 50 foot of strawberries. I KNOW what I am doing, we are not novice gardeners. I ask that they consider our long relationship and future business and to consider compensation for this problem.
The comment was, NEVER had other complaints, plants were healthy when we sent them, to bad. Subject closed!!
I should have called earlier, I don't know if there was bad weather when they shipped, did UPS leave them in a vehicle and get too HOT? Too COLD? I don't know, I just know that I made a SIZABLE investment and there is NO customer consideration with this company.
The hoops that they would want IF they were to consider a problem.... soil ph, composition, weather conditions, etc. etc means that they would NEVER admit or make adjustments for a customer problem.

Beware!!! Does anyone have a recommendation for another Asparagus distributor?

This lady is Supposedly a "reputable breeder" of rabbits also. Was willing to meet her in "Cookeville". SHE DOES NOT LIVE IN COOKEVILLE!!! She lives almost 35 miles outside of cookville if not more, to pick up a rabbit. Had her cash and shotty directions. Got lost in the middle of no mans land and was late meeting her. Needless to say in 2013 this woman still doesn't have a cellphone and stated she had to have someone to sit with her father. Called the numbers, tried to get ahold of someone..(Since supposedly the father would have to be home with caretaker)...NO ANSWER!!! If this is how she does business in General STAY AWAY!!!. Thats 2 hours of my life I will never get back. Huge red flag is when you don't allow a person to visit your farm. She will not give you her farm address! When you are willing to pay $125 for a rabbit, you're serious! I was led to beleive this would be a easy off the highway in COOKVILLE pick up merchendise and be on my way. NOT SO! Since both my husband and I are farmers, we were appaulled by this. Buyer Beware!!!

Posted on May 24, 2012, updated May 26, 2012
What started out as a great experience has completely soured. Rose was helpful and responsive with emails when I initially contacted her. Because I have limited space, but wanted a mix of cultivars, we arranged the following order:

13 - Jersey Supreme - 2 Yr . = $25.00
12 - Jersey Knight . . - 2 Yr . = $24.00
10 - Strawberry Plants . . . . .= $12.50
1 - Asparagus Garden Tea = $4.75

Shipping: $14.75.

She offered to send an invoice through paypal or that I could just send her a check. I chose poorly, as I sent her a check directly and now have no recourse! That check was cashed on May 2. So far I have gotten no info from her that she got the check, has packed or sent my order, or with info about when that might happen.

I have emailed Rose 3 times since that check was cashed. I have called the land line number listed on the website - disconnected. I have called the cell phone number that I found on her blog, which has not been updated since 2008, so it might not be hers. I have called the phone number that was listed with the BBB of Tennessee and gotten a recording that the number isn't in service.

Stay away from this company. They took my money and never sent the asparagus. I have emailed them several times and they won't answer my emails. It is past time to plant in my zone. I am going to get a hold of the Tennessee Attorney General's office, their local TV stations and comsumer advocate groups in their area. This is a fraud company. They have ninety some dollars of ours and we can't afford to lose that.

Order was never shipped.

Zero consumer service. I had to resort to filling complaints with credit card company and Paypal. There are too many people selling these products to go through this hassle!

Very discouraged!

"On Mar 6, 2012 6:46 PM, Asparagus Gardener responded with:

The message that you have posted has left out many important details in your complaint.
First you placed an order for Asparagus in Feb 2012 and demanded that your Asparagus be shipped immediately. And that you wanted to take the Asparagus with you to Boliva. You never called here prior to ordering. We are an Asparagus Farm and do not have asparagus for shipping at that time. Asparagus is planted in the early Spring. Anyone shipping Asparagus in Feb would have had to pull the Asparagus out in the Fall and store it in coolers. In coolers the Asparagus can get root rot and fungus -- we don't do that here. The Asparagus stays out in the fields till shipping time. Shipping starts in March..
You just assumed that we would meet your demand of shiping your order in Feb.

You sent an email stating that you were leaving the USA and wanted to take the Asparagus wilth you to Bolivia (an International country). We immediately knew we wanted nothing to do with your illegal activity.The US Department of Ag slowed us down getting your refund to you as they wanted to place charges on you for International violation of transporting plants to another country. It took 2 1/2 weeks to hear back from them. They highly recommended us not to ship the Asparagus to you at all.
You paid with a Charge Card and we do not have a CC server here at our Asparagus Farm. We were set to mail you a check refund yet we have no address for you in Boliva to send your refund too. And we still don't know where to send it.

Furthermore you could of saved your self a headache if you would of taken the time to call us to find out if we could meet your shipping date of Feb. You did not call you just placed an Order. I don't think you know that it is illegal to take plants out of the USA with out USA Agicultural approval. You would of had to have our have our Farm Certification Number. We would of not allowed that to happen and instructed you that it is illegal to smuggle plants to an Intenational country.
Here's some simple advise
1. Stop trying to take planta out of the USA to an International country. It is a fedral crime.
2. Always call before you order from any one. Therefore you will first hand information since it seams like you lack knowledge of when Asparagus is planted and shipped and that it can not be bought from an Asparagus Farm and taken out of the country.,
3. REFUND:
Send an address . . . that we can send your refund to."

First, the company overcharged me and when I called them, Rose yelled at me who said it was my fault that I didn't have a Paypal account and she would put a check in the mail the next day. She said they were only dumb farmers and when I said I didn't think farmers were dumb she started yelling at me again saying I was calling her a liar. She continued yelling telling me how many customers they have and how many orders they have to fill. Really stressed. Realizing I was getting nowhere, I ended the conversation. This was a call made prior to the roots emerging. They did send a check the next day, but they didn't reimburse the shipping which was really high considering 3 lots of the roots arrived in one of those "if it fits, it ships" boxes from the USPO. That will give u an idea to how SMALL the the roots were. I was expecting a much larger box because the photo on their website shows much larger roots being harvested. I didn't persue the shipping refund because quite honestly, I didn't want to "talk" to Rose again.

This was one of the worst companies I've ever dealt with. I ordered the 3-yr old roots and they were really small. I tried to justify their size and planted them anyway thinking the company must've known what they sent and the spears would certainly be large in size. Typical optimistic gardener! :) When they emerged, the spears were about 1/8" thick in diameter, and smaller! Certainly not edible, which was what 3 yr old roots were represented as being on the website.

I wrote the company and sent photos, expressing my disappointment in the size and requesting a refund. Rose once again, blamed me and said I shouldn't have planted the roots and I should've sent them back if I wasn't happy. She ridiculed the photos of the 1/8" thick asparagus spears and said they looked good to her and why was I complaining.

She's aware of Daves Garden comments and called it "Dave's Crybaby Club". I requested a refund and she said I should dig up the roots and send them back. I told her I would do that and then she said I shouldn't have planted them in the first place and she said my soil was bad. No refund. "Bad soil" isn't the case because I've had my soil tested and my previous profession was as a horticulturist --- so it appears I know what I'm doing.

In an effort to keep this post short, I won't go into all the detail about the unprofessional comments that were made and their lack of customer service/satisfaction. In my opinion, I would never do business with this company again. Very expensive, unpleasant, disappointing experience.

"On Mar 6, 2012 7:18 PM, Asparagus Gardener responded with:

I am sorry you did not like the Asparagus roots you received but the photos you sent really tells the story. You planted your asparagus in shale. Aspragus will not grow in rock shale soil.
As for the Asparagus pictures on our web site of the fellow with his head cut off are 5-6 year roots and no where does it says that those roots he is holding are 3 year old. I was yelling because on a cell phone and out in the Asparagus field standing next to a tractor that was running.. You kept saying you could not hear me. FYI Asparagus will emerge on the thin side even when they are 3 year old as they are in the dual process of making root underground as well as trying to make spears above the soil. The pictures on our Asparagus web site of the roots rolled up and laying on a Cherry hardwood floor are from a customer. He took the picture and sent it to me.those are the same roots that your received. He was more than happy with the Asparagus he received. Your Asparagus may have produced small spears because of the soil you planted them in. The Farm Manager reviewed your photos and they clearly showed poor soil. Your soil is a shale type and Asparagus will not gow well in shale.
. Once again if your soil had been prepared properly the Asparagus would have performed better for you.
There are two "keys" to successfully growing Asparagus -- the soil and moderate watering."

Posted on May 20, 2011, updated May 22, 2011
We ordered 2 sets--15 roots in each set--of 3-year asparagus roots. The shipment came, but there were only 15 roots in box. We contacted Asparagus Gardener about the shortage but did not hear back from her. We were forced to file a dispute with PayPal. Our inference is that she knew that the shipment was short because she charged us for shipping that was equivalent to one set of roots. She was not proactive in any way to inform us of the shortage (assuming she knew the order was short) and has not been reactive in any way in regard to our telephone message.

What is most disturbing is that we were charged 9.7% on an interstate shipment which, according to the Tennessee taxation authority, is illegal. I'm interested in how many other persons were illegally charged tax. It is Asparagus Gardener's responsibility to know the law. Stating that it is "PayPal's fault" or that "It was a glitch in the computer system" is a technique of neutralization known as "denial of responsibility." In our view, Asparagus Gardener knew prior to shipment, or should have known after our contact, that our money was taken under false pretenses (we were charged more than what we received). This smells like wire fraud to me (18 USC 1343).

The illegal collection of tax is especially troubling and also fraudulent. I won't even broach the possibility that the roots sent were not 3-year.

Regardless of the response by Asparagus Gardener, the aforementioned is the truth and truth is an absolute defense to libel.

"On May 20, 2011 8:12 PM, Asparagus Gardener responded with:

Our video tape shows that 2 sets of 15 were put in the shipping box. What did you do with the others? We have had to go to recording all Orders as so frequently customers say some thing is missing and want replacements for "free" So you may want to recount and make sure the roots are really not there. To say you did not receive them and you did is "theft of goods: punishable by law.

Shipping cost is not calculated by us. It is automatic and the web site does it -- not a person-- not me -- I am the one who Inspects ever Order that goes out.. So your wrong again.

You'd better get a big "tissue box" out cause you going to be cry'n really hard on the next issue.

No one responded to you cause we were busy dealing with the Tornado of the South diid you not see it -- It was on National News . We were doing things like standing the farm tractor back up -- trying to make a make shift house to live in--
helping others with missing family members. And let me tell you a "Human Life" comes wat before anyone "cry'n about missing 15 roots.

Tax Issue: You weren't charged tax -- you were charged "shipping and handling" , And yes there is a charge for handling. If your Invoice said "tax" . I appologize it should of said "handling" Like the rest of the 83,000 roots that went out.

You keep saying "I should of known" no you should of questioned the word "tax " before you paid for your Order.
We would of gladly explained to you it should say "handling"
not "tax". You still cry'n?

What is "wire fraud"? No body "wired money" to us you paid thru Pay Pal. Know what you are paying for . . take some responsibility for your purchases.

You got some of the biggest roots we have. If you did not think they were 3 yr then when you received them you should of returned them. But no you planted them. My question to you is simply do you know how to tell the age of Asparagus roots. How many acreas have you grown in your life? It is quite obvious that you don't know how to be a "good shopper". Good shopper ask s questions then make a purchase. You did not!!

A defense to libel. . . you can't defend yourself let a lone a case of "libel". In short, you don't know what you were buying. . don't know what you are paying for. . don't know that the web site adds up the shipping - not me or anyone else. . . don't know how to tell the age of a roots.

Here's my theory on gardeners and customers:
There's "good customers" and there's "bad customers. Good Customers calls on the phone or sends email and asks important questions like:
1. what am I paying for?
2. how old is the root
3. what is "tax"
4, when will they be shipped
5. what are the factors that will affect my Order to arrive on time to me. We would have told you that all the Asparagus roots stay in the fields till the day of shipping. That is how we gaurantee a healthy disease fresh root. So we rely on Mother Nature not to rain for 5 days straight-- not to send us the remains of an Alabama tornado--
6, And "yes" your Order may be delayed if we get any of the above.

This stuff you are "crying" about could of been handled prior to placing your Order.
Good shoppers that ask questions make good customers. Those that ask questions are smart shoppers.

*** Obvisously, you liked the roots because you planted them and did not return them. You did not state that they were of poor quality. . so this "cry baby" show over here at "cry baby Garden" is to let us all know you are "a bad shopper" who never took the time to ask questions.

In sum,
This is what I can do for you to help you stop "crying"
I will refund you the 15 . . supposely missing roots.
Please use the above information to be a better Internet shopper. Call ask questions. . now here's a tissue go bow your nose!!

PS:
We have put out 83,000 roots to home gardeners since March 22. Our season ened this week May 15th now taking orders for 2012. With that kind of volume -- and 35 yrs strong as an Asparagus Farm there are plenty of "happy Asparagus Gardeners" out there. Remember you are in controll of spending your money. Stop ask questions before "assuming you know every thing". http://www.asparagusgardener.com

We start taking Orders June 1 - 2011 for shipping early Spring 2012. " Thumbs Up"

"

I ordered 3 year asparagus from them. Although it arrived on time I have to say the roots systems looked more like first year asparagus not a well developed plant. In comparison to some asparagus root stock I have seen that is only 1 year old this root stock was very small. I emailed my concern to "Rose," and never received a reply back and I paid a nice amount of money for them too! In the future I will go with a different company.

"On Feb 12, 2011 12:14 PM, Asparagus Gardener responded with:

Are you sure you purchased the Aspragus roots from us?
We have not shipped our Asparagus to anyone as of yet this year. I doubt you purchased them from us. Our Aspargus is still in the ground with snow on top of it.

Also if you were so unhappy with your purchase most people would have just picked up the phone and called instead of sending email. We all know that email can end up in spam or some not even delivered because of misspelled email address.

We have not received any phone calls from you. 931-946-2030.

Really odd that you have time to type messages over here but couldn't call us on the phone with your unhappiness. Someone here would have been more than happy to look in our sales records and see if actually infact you did purchase roots from our farm.

You are trying to make our Farm look shady yet you have not even called us or nor provide any proof that your purchased roots from us. Don't hide behind some garden web site. Call us now and we will be happy to address this issue.

You state that "in the future you will go to another company". Please do. In my 35 year experience of dealing with Asparagus Gardeners. There are
'good customers" and there are "bad customers." A good customer will call on the phone to resolve their concerns. A bad customer will go cry on some web site in stead of of dealing with the problem directly.

We are here all year long and all day long. We are waiting for your call. More than happy to resolve this issue with you. But first make sure you bought the Asparagus from us. "

On 12/18/2009 I mailed a check for $60.00 to Asparagus Gardner for 30 plants. The check cleared on January 7,2010.March 25 the plants were delivered to me at a local meeting place. The crowns looked very nice. That evening I was called by the asparagus gardener and was told that they couldn't find any record of payment and that they would hate to have to file thief of services against me. I said I would email a copy of the canceled check in a day or two.Well a few minutes latter I got boiling mad . I got on the net and looked up the check found it had been endorsed by asparagus gardener. I called back and told them the info and also told them I would not waste my time to send them the info if they have such bad bookkeeping. Next is what really pi--ed me off I was told that I was a thief just as they though and they would file against me.

Prior to paying for my order I found Rose to be informative and quick to respond to any question I had. Customer service went down hill after payment was received. Following many exchanges I believe a problem with the order has been resolved, and if not I will provide an update at a later date.
I am very happy with the quality of the product (2 yr asparagus crowns, black rasberries, and elephant garlic) and would recommend a purchase based on that fact, but personally would not order from them again solely based on the way I was treated.
NOTE: When ordering from the above company save/print any e-mail received with planting instructions as nothing written is supplied with the order.

When I was shopping for asparagus crowns, I found a web site that purported to have good stock but was rife with errors. I wrote to the seller, offering to edit for a discount in my purchase order, although the latter would not have paid for my time. I believe the e-mail exchange below speaks for itself:

My first letter:

Dear Asparagus Farmer,

I am writing because I am shopping for asparagus, berry bushes and other additions to a newly purchased piece of land. When I discovered your web site, I was excited at first, but then a little concerned because there are SO many grammatical and spelling errors on it. While you probably know your stuff, and your asparagus crowns and plants are likely to be of good quality, having so many errors mars your image.

Years ago, before I became a health-care provider, I was an editor and journalist. Would you like to strike a deal that for a percentage off my order, I clean up your text so that your professionalism shines through? If so, let me know. Please know, though, that I plan to order from you anyway, so you will not lose anything if you decline. This is just an offer to lend a hand: as someone who's glad you are willing to help ME grow, I'd be happy to return the favor.

Respectfully,
A

The reply I received, under the subject line "Sorry We Have Choosen Not To Sell To You":

"I like the mis-spelled and grammitically incorrect sentences. I have an Master Degree from University Northwest Chicago Illinois and I can gaurantee you that if I wanted the words spelled right I would have them spelled correctely.

"I do not need to shine threw my spelling. What you do not know is that we shine as Asparagus Producers of seed, roots, and fresh asparagus. We are intenational shippers and be far top quality that can not be found anywhere in the USA. We have a long and vast customer based way beyond the average home gardener. For example, I just shipped 6,500 Asparagus roots to South Carolina. And that is just one small order.

"We have a long 35 year reputation as Professional Growers. and Asparagus roots and seed sellers.

"You know absolutely nothing about us. you say "we probably know our stuff".
We do not only know our "stuff" we are selective as to the customers that we choose to sell to.

"After reviewing your email . . . we will have to ask you to go some other place and purchase your Asparagus and what ever else. We feel you do not have any experience growing Asparagus and would probably kill it.

"Let me recommend you try these Nurseries . . . may be they can help you out
Gurnee . . . they grow nothing and purchase their plants and roots from 2nd rate grower. Many gardeners have introduces virsus into there soil by planting their plants.

"American Meadow . . . grows nothing . . . sells mold

"Burpee . . . grows nothing and buys Asparagus roots and stores them in a refirgator from last fall. Gardeners get them and they do not grow just rot.

"Or and there is Walmart . . .they have those little tiny roots that have preservatives sprayed on them so they do grow while on the store shelf and they dont grow when you get them home either.

"So there you go. . . you could have gotten nice huge roots planted them and been picking Asparagus in a few week and berry plants from us but I dont need your business. Not even if you bourght all 3o acres of Asparagus rootsthat I have.

Sincerelry,
Rose Hembrook
Asparagus Gardener"
4-9-08

My reply to this letter:

"Dear Rose,

"I am sorry to have offended you. Nothing -- not great writing, not growing asparagus -- is more important to me than growing good relationships, and I fear I have unwittingly let us both down in this. My guess is that had we met face to face as two women who both run businesses and take great pride in their work, we would have liked and respected each other.

"I never want to lack the courage to admit my mistakes. My offer, however well-intentioned, appears to have been misguided and uninformed. Maybe it seemed as though I cared more about grammar or spelling than about your feelings. I don't. I thought I was offering you a specialized skill in appreciation for YOUR specialized skill as a grower. Now, after hearing your perspective, I see how my e-mail must have felt to you. I hope you will accept my apology NOT because I want to be back in your good graces and to buy asparagus from you, but because I care that my e-mail left you feeling stung.

"All I can offer is my sorrow, my hope that you and your business always prosper, and my gratitude for a valuable if painful lesson about what can happen in communication between two people who don't know each other: I deeply regret having written that e-mail. If there is anything more I can say or do to mend this miscommunication, please allow me the opportunity to do so: Having offended you saddens me far more than the inability to buy asparagus roots from you, Rose, no matter how wonderful they are.

Respectfully,
A"

Her response to this letter:

"You have not in the least bite bother me at all. You might know how to spell but one thing you are not is a writer.

"Take College English 98 it will teach you how to write --
1. Topic Sentence
2 Body of Paragraph
3. Thesis Sentence . . .your presentation/ agurement the point you are trying to get across.

"I am blocking you from emailing me. . .you are a "Spackel Crack" one who shoots up carpenters "spackel" and thinks it is heorine!!

"Bye Bye Fruity!!"

After this response, I sent the following note and ceased contact:

"Dear Rose,

"If you have not already blocked me, I wanted to let you know that I am so concerned about your part of the exchange that has occurred with me that I have contacted the Division of Consumer Affairs in your state and will be forwarding your e-mails along with my complaint. Your ability to do business in the public domain has been thrown into question by your responses.

Sincerely,
A"