Recollection Day

With all the projects going on (and variables of said projects) it becomes necessary to make lists (and be flexible concerning said lists) in order to keep a focus on the order and priority of the tasks at hand.

I compiled one such list earlier this week for this site regarding my garden projects ... But, alas it remains lost in cyberspace due to a glinch. So-o, here are my thoughts in written form:

• Transplanting: roses, red bud seedling, daylilies, sedum, irises, creeping phlox
  
• Continued clearing of renegade elm seedlings (!)
  
• Continue to "lasagna mulch" over newly cleared areas
  
• Plant Yews along south fence
  
• Decide on new garden borders

It is a blessing to maintain my garden journal and live out my gardening goals (and my life goals) within the framework of being focused upon the Grace of God, and within that, crafting beauty and celebrating the details.

And, it is becoming easier to be "alive" each day and "abide in Him" as opposed to "running as fast I can" ... I now realize that there are certain things I must as accept "as is" and live accordingly. I do this with ease and not out of obligation or despair. It is simply being content — in spite of one's circumstances — trusting in God's plan, His timing and His provision. Oh, this is such a beautiful lesson of being a gardener in God's Garden! ;-)

"... the best is yet to be." —Robert Browning

Spring makes its own statement ...

A Colorful Work-in-Progress

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

As an instrument, I have been planning, weeding, journaling and clearing (including more of those renegade Elm seedlings!). My gardening goals remain rooted in a life-goal I maintain: Focus upon the Grace of God, and within that measure of Grace, craft beauty and celebrate the artistry of the elements.

For my gardens, that entails: 1) container gardening [to create "color spots" as I continue to work on the overall design and remodel of my gardens], 2) incorporating additional plantings: Red Bud seedlings, transplanted Daylilies and Irises and Sedum and Creeping Phlox, 3) positioning soaker hoses within my gardens to ease the task of watering [and letting go of my despair concerning the "redoing" of this task as required by the sabbatical of cancer]

That last point is one which keeps poking me in the eye (figuratively, of course!). Redoing something that took such effort the first time is not something I do very willingly. However, my gardens have gently taught me the value to "overs" — of redoing anything when it is important to final outcome of one's Life-Garden.

Bermuda grass is an example of a major "redoing" which proved to lead to numerous creative and intuitive changes within my gardens. In the process of digging-out, using Round-Up (gasp!) and mulching areas plagued with this bain of all gardens — I crafted several new plantings and was inspired to do some things different in my garden. It also proved the importance of diligence and the power of committing a mere 15-minutes to any "impossible" project!

Journaling has always been such an aid for me. Putting my plans in writing, being able to look back to celebrate the distance traveled and considering the possibilities for the future make the present such an adventure!

Ponderings

Today ...

This is usually the time I have a more stable time table of plantings, transplantings and other garden adventures. However, with the Backyard reDesign, I am somewhat subject to the literal groundbreaking schedule of said project.

My current gardens will undergo some changes and new garden areas will be created. One which I am particulary excited about are my raised beds. I have wanted raised beds for some time now ... Just not sure where, etc.

The consultant I am working with suggested an area that is perfect. It is close to the south side of my home and somewhat hidden from first-look from the picture windows on that side of house. I will plant vegetables and herb groundcovers here. It will have rich organic soil AND I think I will construct my compost bin over there, too!

To-Do's

• Begin gathering home and garden magazines. They are good resources for garden bed designs, plant information, and even some gardening tools. Pick magazines up in a visit to your local garden center or nursery.
• Clip garden designs, plants, trees, gardening tools, and even purchase information from your favorite home and garden magazine and web sites. Collecting ideas will help you plan for your own garden in the new year! Review your plant catalogs and web sites.
• Take a walk around your yard and evaluate the landscape.

Source: What to do Now (garden)

Other What to do Now (lawn care)

Late Bloomer

These are blooms from my late-bloomer (better-late-than-never) Pear tree. For many years it never bloomed. I planted a Red Bud when I learned I was pregnant with my son. That tree was a seedling from my maternal grandmother, who had planted many other seedlings-from-seedlings over the years. Later on I planted this one for the daughter I always dreamed of carrying. So when I never held her in my arms ... and the tree never bloomed ... it was "poetic reality" ... Thus, the blooms are all the more special to me now! And I will hold her in Heaven ...


It is never too late to be what you might have been. —George Eliot

March: Go!

First Bloom!

Well, I have not posted the "on-your-mark" and "get-ready" phases of my garden planning during the last several weeks. So, I will simply jump in and post some of my notes inspired from today's Home and Garden section of the newspaper ...

• remove debrid from garden bed (especially around daffodils)
  
• schedule "scalping" mow of lawns
  
• determine where this year's focus work areas will be
  
• decide how much garden soil to have trucked in
  
• mulch/lasagna garden bare spots to avoid weeds sprouting up
  
• determine paths through garden and begin to clear, clear, clear!
  
• designate perennials to transplant and divide
  
• try growing a "salad" garden plot DUE by March 15
  
• designate plots for designed vegetable garden diamond

More to come!





(BTW: The notes preceding this post were not compiled by me ... I am not sure why I didn't cite the source. Those tips must of come from one of the e-newsletters I subscribed to.)