My article about John Fairey wins GWA Gold Award!

August 28, 2013


They might have heard me whooping all the way up in Quebec City last Monday when I learned that I’d won the 2013 Gold Award from Garden Writers Association (now GardenComm) for Best Magazine Writing. I couldn’t make it to the GWA symposium, held in Canada this year, but my friend and fellow writer Mary Ann Newcomer kindly kept me updated by text message during the awards banquet and celebrated with me long-distance when they called my name. She even packed up and mailed the heavy, glass award to me once she got home. (Thanks, Mary Ann!)


The winning article, titled “The Plant Man,” is about Texas plantsman John Fairey and the design of his renowned Peckerwood Garden in Hempstead (now The John Fairey Garden). It was published in Garden Design magazine in June 2012. You can read “The Plant Man” online.

Thank you, GWA! And thank you, John Fairey, for the interview and the inspiration.

All material © 2006-2013 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

12 responses to “My article about John Fairey wins GWA Gold Award!”

  1. sandy lawrence says:

    Well earned, Pam, and hearty congratulations!

  2. Way to go for that great article!

  3. Alison says:

    Congrats Pam! So well deserved.

  4. Congrats Pam! Woo-hoo!

  5. Lily says:

    Fantastic! Can’t wait to read it! Loved your book anyway. Came here today looking for the recommendation for the seed, sold in San Antonio I believe, that’s a good ecologically conscious grass seed. Thought I had bookmarked it but I see I haven’t. Are you able to mention it again? Thanks!

    I think you’re looking for Habiturf seed, Lily. It’s sold in San Antonio at DK Seeds. —Pam

  6. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    I thought I heard something vaguely familiar Monday:) Congratulations on the well written article. I read that one. I think I still have it. I will have to drag out the mag and read it again. WHooooo hooooooooooo…

  7. Lost Roses says:

    Hooray, and congratulations, Pam!

  8. ryan says:

    Congratulations. I read the article when it came out. Well deserved award.

  9. Denise says:

    I loved that piece, so deserving of this award. Congrats, Pam!

  10. Shirley says:

    Congratulations! It is a great article and well deserved award.

  11. peter schaar says:

    I too loved the article, being a long time fan of John and Peckerwood. No wonder they gave you the award! Congratulations!

  12. Congratulations, Pam! It is a great piece of writing. Well earned.