As I write this, my health has taken quite a hit, so I find myself turning to my blog. Heavy inflammation in my lower back and my lower neck in addition to a common cold, mean that I am quite literally bedridden. I know that I shouldn’t need ailments to spur me on to write these words, (of all things,lol) but there is a certain level of comfort and achievement in putting words on paper when I am unable to be physically active.
Even though I can’t completely control what decides to be the next thing that flares up, I feel guilty when I can’t get to all that needs my attention, particularly the garden as the effects can be seen almost immediately. As I can’t seem to find a comfortable position in which to rest, I find a distraction - my thoughts drifting to the state of my little patch. Looking out the window, I can clearly see that the plants are stressed and drooping from a lack of watering.
I know that most will recover after a deep, slow soaking, but it really drives home the importance of installing some irrigation for the porch as well as getting to replacing the leaking pipe in the reticulation. Yes, I managed to drive a stake right through the heart of the main pipe! Whyyy?!
So here I sit, dying to get my hands into the soil, trying to write a list of the tasks that need to be completed when I am up to it, like raking the leaves and putting them in the new bed, doing a general tidy up and re-organisation of my ever changing and ever expanding potting and seedling bench, finishing off the second half of the wicking barrel (have to visit my friendly hydroponics centre for a few supplies), putting in the temporary pond until I can order a larger roll of pond liner, ordering: pea straw, manure, soil conditioners, supplements and mulch – that’s just off the top of my head, I am very sure there are more smaller tasks that will come to me, more than likely all at once upon closer inspection. I can’t bring myself to consider all that awaits me in my community garden plot.
There is always something to be done, but the one thing that has been annoying me the most is the 14 – yes, I often count them in frustration - empty hanging baskets that are just suspended there, in a row, blowing in the wind. Each time my eyes are drawn to them, (which is how I have purposely set them up – now to my dismay!) I imagine the beauty that they could hold, gorgeous overflowing blooms, trailing variegated vines…but when my often-fleeting imagination leaves me, they are just plain, boring wire baskets, with no lining - empty and lifeless. To passers-by that may be all they are.
This garden was not only a space I created for the purpose of providing produce, but also to help me to obtain peace of mind. I am not disappointed if I am left with a lack of produce, as to me edibles are only one part of what growing it yourself has to offer.
It is often said that a gardener is never satisfied with the state of their garden, which despite quite a lot of consensus, isn’t normally a curse as the striving is what allows us to create something magical, breathtaking even. At times, if we don’t feel as though our garden is complete, we can find solace and pride in at least one part of it.
So, this week, when I need that piece of mind, that ‘green therapy’ more than ever, I am attempting to focus on the parts of my garden I am the most content with.
What areas of your garden fill you with the most joy? Is there anything in your garden that niggles at you?