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Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.

Kim Franke-Folstad

Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.

Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.

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Gettin’ down and a little less dirty in the garden

Posted Sep 3, 2009 by Kim Franke-Folstad

Updated Sep 3, 2009 at 01:41 PM

As the editor of 4you, the Tribune’s health and fitness section, I’ve been putting together a “4you Workout Playlist” with help from our online and print readers.

You know, a list of songs to sweat by.

And it occurred to me over the weekend—as I moved my iPod from the armband I run with to the boom box I listen to when I garden—that the playlist required for digging in the backyard is completely different from the playlist meant for pounding the pavement.

I still want music that motivates, but it can be – should be – a tad less dark and, well, less dirty. So on the weekend I turn from Gnarls Barkley to Bonnie Raitt, from Green Day to Cold Play, from Pink to Louis Prima.

There are a few crossovers, of course—most notably and appropriately, “The Garden” by Mirah, a song that is actually about a broken heart, but uses references to which any gardener can relate: flowers and fruits, even stinging bees.

And it rocks.

I love it. And, really, how often do you find a song for gardening that’s about gardening?

Eric Clapton’s “Let It Grow” comes close. (Again, a song about love, but there’s plenty of planting and blossoming involved).

There’s Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party,” which is a commentary on the national landscape, but, hmmm … no.

Ditto for Pete Seeger’s “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” Kind of depressing, really. His “Garden Song” hits the mark, though. It even has mulch.

Mostly, I tend to go with laid-back: Sinatra, Chris Isaak, and The Dixie Chicks. Yes, the Dixie Chicks, who give a whole new meaning to garden clogs.

But that’s just me. If you listen to music in the garden, let me know what gets you moving. Leave a comment here, or e-mail me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (and put Garden Music in the subject line). I’ll report back with a list.