My garden, like most gardens, is a work in progress. That's a term that is heard so often in gardening. Because it sounds so much better than "I don't know what I'm doing". And let's face it, none of us has a clue. Even the gardening book I've been reading said some things that I'm not buying. And this gardening guy on my podcasts has some definite opinions about mulch that I am not completely buying either. My father and I have never really agreed on much in the garden either.
What I am saying is that the only one who knows if the petunia is going to grow is the petunia. I can give it tough love and water it every three months. I can baby it and water it sparingly every morning between 6am and 8am. Thing is, it seems very much out of our hands and completely up to the plant. There are plants that are dramatic (all weeping leaves during a hot afternoon) and there are plants who are sturdy, steadfastly holding their own in a drought. It all seems to come down to the right attitude. Of the plant. Your attitude doesn't have much to do with it at all, it seems.
But in any case, I am looking forward to what the plants will teach me this year, my fifth year of gardening. My progress seems to be duplicated by many homeowners:
First year it was all about flowers and annuals. And mistakes.
Second year I finally learned about proper watering and the difference between shade and sun plants. And learning from year one mistakes. And making other mistakes.
Third year I learned that perennials rock and have a lot better attitude than the annuals. And learned from year two mistakes. And made other mistakes.
Fourth year I learned that shady, non flowering plants can be pretty cool too. Ditto for the year three mistakes/making more mistakes.
Fifth year will be a re-embracing of the annual, I think. After so many frosts and freezes gone awry, it will be nice to bring in some non-committal plants, I think. And the beds - which are looking very brown as a result of the recent chilly activities - could certainly use some short term color till the hibiscus can regrow. Plus, I'd like to get started on some veggies interspersed in the garden and those are all annuals. Funny, after year three I thought they were mostly banned from the garden. I guess we all evolve and grow and learn and make mistakes.
Mostly I want to get digging. And start making (and learning from) this year's mistakes. Can't wait!
What I am saying is that the only one who knows if the petunia is going to grow is the petunia. I can give it tough love and water it every three months. I can baby it and water it sparingly every morning between 6am and 8am. Thing is, it seems very much out of our hands and completely up to the plant. There are plants that are dramatic (all weeping leaves during a hot afternoon) and there are plants who are sturdy, steadfastly holding their own in a drought. It all seems to come down to the right attitude. Of the plant. Your attitude doesn't have much to do with it at all, it seems.
But in any case, I am looking forward to what the plants will teach me this year, my fifth year of gardening. My progress seems to be duplicated by many homeowners:
First year it was all about flowers and annuals. And mistakes.
Second year I finally learned about proper watering and the difference between shade and sun plants. And learning from year one mistakes. And making other mistakes.
Third year I learned that perennials rock and have a lot better attitude than the annuals. And learned from year two mistakes. And made other mistakes.
Fourth year I learned that shady, non flowering plants can be pretty cool too. Ditto for the year three mistakes/making more mistakes.
Fifth year will be a re-embracing of the annual, I think. After so many frosts and freezes gone awry, it will be nice to bring in some non-committal plants, I think. And the beds - which are looking very brown as a result of the recent chilly activities - could certainly use some short term color till the hibiscus can regrow. Plus, I'd like to get started on some veggies interspersed in the garden and those are all annuals. Funny, after year three I thought they were mostly banned from the garden. I guess we all evolve and grow and learn and make mistakes.
Mostly I want to get digging. And start making (and learning from) this year's mistakes. Can't wait!
0 comments:
Post a Comment