Good day to you, friends of the Laidback Gardener,
This is Mathieu Hodgson, son of Larry Hodgson.
On Wednesday October 26th, 2022, Larry Hodgson left us. He was surrounded by his immediate family: his son Mathieu and his partner, his wife Marie, and her children and their partners. His last days were comfortable and serene. He received visits from friends and family. He even had a final affectionate gathering with friends from the Québec Art Company.
In 2016, Larry was diagnosed with degenerative pulmonary fibrosis. On Wednesday October 19th, he was hospitalized because he could no longer receive at home the level of care that he needed. He requested medical assistance in dying.
Career
Under his father’s guidance, Larry became a lover of plants very early in life. Later, under the pen name of the Laidback Gardener, he touched several generations of gardeners. His career started more than 40 years ago. In 1984, he became a freelance writer for the Québec newspaper Le Soleil. This was the beginning of a relationship that lasted for 38 years and that ended only this week with Larry’s final article.
People knew him also through his radio work with Radio-Canada and the CBC, as well as his participation in Salut Bonjour at TVA and his six seasons at the helm of Dans mon Jardin at Télémag. Until recently, he also hosted a radio show at CKIA FM.
From 1990 to 1994, he was the founding editor of Fleurs, plantes et jardins magazine and remained a regular contributor until 2016. He also wrote for dozens of periodicals and self-published À fleur de pot, a newsletter on indoor plants. In addition, he was the author of 65 books in French and English, published in Canada and the United States.
Among the numerous prizes and recognitions he received, the one that made him most proud was presented to him only a few weeks ago: GardenComm’s gold medal in the category ‘Blogging about Gardening’.
An Exceptional Human Being
Apart from all these achievements, his readers and fans will remember his great generosity, his sense of humor and his rigor. In the last few months, we have received countless messages from readers, listeners and viewers expressing their love and respect for Larry.
Those who knew or met him can testify to the fact that Larry was an exceptional human being. He was always in a good mood and had a contagious and resounding laugh. Moreover, with his encyclopedic memory and his natural drive and enthusiasm, he patiently answered all questions put to him at public events or on his blog laidbackgardener.blog.
From the outset, he was a pioneer in the field of horticulture. His approach was always simple, accessible and scientifically based. He introduced thousands of people to gardening in Québec and all over the world.
The Laidback Gardener Blog
In his last seven years, Larry dedicated himself to the Laidback Gardener’s blog, for which he wrote an article every day. In his last few months, he was happy to know that, under the care of his son Mathieu, and with the help of his contributors and his faithful readers, his blog would survive him. In his memory, let us keep on gardening.
The Laidback Gardener is no more; long live all laidback gardeners!
For those of you who wish to make a donation in honor of Larry Hodgson, here are a few suggestions:
- Give to Domaine Joly de Lotbinière.
- Support the Laidback Gardener’s Blog with a donation or simply by reading the blog daily. Larry’s legacy will thus go on.
- Give to the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec where Larry received outstanding care during the last six years, including home and palliative care. His family gives the Institute heartfelt thanks.