How is it that ATP ended up with the best members and the best moderators, the funniest, the most knowledgeable, the most civil, the most kind? I suppose it starts with the people at the top who set the tone. As a site grows and a membership becomes larger, sometimes what is important gets lost amidst unrelated concerns. ATP has managed to hold on to what is important (in part no doubt because the owners are gardeners too). As gardeners, we all have some fundamentals in common. First of all, we like to grow things (yes, there are actually some people who don't ). Growing things (even growing databases, websites) requires certain sensitivities and knowledge about proper nutrients, proper needs and care, and quite a lot of work; growing things is a process of love. In my garden, in addition to squashing harmful insects, i have a habit of giving my plants what i call "love pats" to mature plants and seedlings alike. A "love pat" is three very gentle pats to the top of the plant or seedling (poom, poom, poom). These love pats say, "i love you, you are special in this world, and i will protect you and care for you to the best of my ability, and if you have a problem i'll ask someone at ATP what to do". So while i am at it, i'll take this opportunity to give some love pats to ATP and all who reside herein, poom, poom, poom, there you go

I agree, the tone of ATP is encouraging and helpful whereas other forums that I have joined are not. Keep up the good work.