I must say that Mother Nature has redeemed herself over the past few days. The weather was gorgeous over the weekend and the long-term forecast is looking good too. And for those who haven’t done so yet, it’s time to get out into the garden and start planting vegetables and flowers.
Or not.
I have to admit, rather shamefacedly, that I’m not of the gardening persuasion. I really love trees and shrubs and flowers and would love to have colourful flowers all around me, and I especially enjoy reaping the benefits of a fine vegetable garden; but as far as making it happen in my own yard, well usually that just doesn’t happen. Oh, we’ve had many gardens over the years, but planting and maintaining them has always been something of a chore, not a pleasure for me.
However, when I drive by other people’s properties and see the lovely flowers and thriving gardens I’m more than just a little jealous. They’re all so beautiful! And it seems that these days there are more people planting trees and flowers than ever before, so it accentuates the bareness of properties like mine. My dedicated husband must get all of the praise for keeping our property mowed and trimmed, but the lack of flowers rests solely on my shoulders.
Was I born without the planting gene? Why is it that I don’t take immense pleasure from cultivating the land, planting the seeds and the bulbs and maintaining a bountiful garden? I absolutely hate bugs and when I bend over in the garden I tend to get dizzy and fall over, so the act of planting and maintaining any type of garden is nothing but a misery for me.
When I see others leisurely digging in their gardens I want to ask why they enjoy it so much. Is it a oneness with nature? Or maybe the enjoyment of watching your efforts come to a colourful fruition? Other than a few common flowers, I can’t even put a name to most of the flowers in bloom in my own neighbourhood, and I don’t suppose I ever will.
But there are options for people like me. Most of the wonderful plant nurseries, greenhouses and garden centers that pop up in the late spring are sensitive to the needs of un-gardeners like me. There are flowers already half-grown, potted and ready to place on my patio, tomato plants that are ready to bear some luscious, fresh fruit and all types of herbs just waiting for me to pluck them. That’s my kind of gardening!
To all of you gardeners out there I say a sincere ‘thank-you’ for your efforts which produce plants and flowers that are enjoyed by everyone, especially those of us who are gardening-challenged.
I keep hoping that one day I’ll begin to enjoy it too, but I don’t hold out much hope of that happening.
So if you’re one of those fortunate, green-thumb people, enjoy the fruits of your labours and take pleasant in being happy in the great outdoors. Not all of us are that lucky enough to know that pleasure.
