Grow
From Seed to Sprout
Nothing marks the passage of time quite like a growing child. “They grow up so fast” is an expression you hear constantly as a parent. Yep. Can confirm.
March zipped by quick, not just because my youngest is hurtling towards the ripe old age of four, but also because we are in the midst of, hopefully, moving to a new home. For the past couple of years our family has lived in a small apartment. With our oldest starting kindergarten this Fall, we knew it was time to put down roots in a house. Not only are we looking forward to more *space*, I’m very much anticipating once again tending to a garden.
Our first garden, before. There were about a zillion raspberry bushes, most of which were ripped out to make way for raised beds.
After. Raised beds, lots of flowers, and we held on to a few of those raspberry bushes.
I got my first garden at the age of 35. I thought I disliked roses. I do not. I thought tomatoes would be easy. They are not. Strolling through your garden with a morning cup of coffee? Top tier way to start the day.
Gardening was a lot of work, but it was immensely enjoyable. It requires a lot of patience. You plant something new with the knowledge that it may take years to mature. You mark the passage of time with each season of growth.
There was one year where we grew a single cob of corn, the rest decimated by pests. There was another year where the golden potatoes were small but tasted excellent. And each season I planted new flowers - some I had been thinking of for years: foxglove, hydrangea, lupine, various coneflowers. We also had a thriving kitchen garden. Store-bought herbs simply can’t compete with fresh herbs you’ve grown yourself.
A single cob of corn
All hail the hydrangea
Whilst we been living on top of each other in apartment life, I have refrained from dreaming about gardening. There was no point in torturing myself, really. But now…….now??? Let’s dream again.
Is it once again time to watch the patron saint of gardening, Monty Don?
Thinking about caring for plant life led to today’s drawings. I’m nurturing children whom I want to teach about nurturing a garden. Both my kids love flowers, and I can’t wait for them to enjoy the magic of tending their own. And maybe, just maybe we can finally offset that weekly berry expense at the grocery store.
Dig a hole larger than your seedling. Insert your plant and pat some earth around it.
Sprinkle water around the plant.
Grow, little buddy, grow.
See ya next time, friends!
