Garden!

6-5-2018

Last week, I turned the soil in my garden and spread compost through it. A few days ago I raked it all smooth and today I planted the seeds. I decided no tot use a weed blocking ground cloth this year, mostly because I use the last of it last year and the stuff is excessively expensive. So I lovingly dug small furrows and hills to plant the seeds. This year I had sprouted potato eyes to put in the ground, as well as seeds for peas and cucumber to place along the fence line so they can climb. There are three kinds of lettuce and a whole row of carrots. I even planted tomato seeds, although I never have much luck with them because they don’t have enough time to mature. This year I decided to try planting the Three Sisters like the Native Americans used to do. For each hole. I put in some compost and a corn seed, a bean seed and a squash seed. I guess we’ll see what happens. Supposedly the bean plant can climb the corn as it grows and the squash leaves shade the ground to keep weeds at bay. Mostly it is just satisfying to dig in the dirt and enjoy being outside on a fine spring day.

Digging In The Dirt

4-13-2017

Spring, warm day, mostly clear bright blue sky, soft cool breeze, grass just starting to turn green, trees still bare, birds starting to return from their southern wintering grounds, time to start digging in the dirt. Many gardening projects to attend to before things really start growing. This is the in between time, when spring is here pregnant with possibility, but nothing has started to grow yet, no green, all old tired browns and greys. I have several small trees to transplant to different locations. Shovel in glove protected hand, actual shoes and socks on my feet, I start digging. The ground is wet from recent rain, heavy, and sticks to the shovel. The musky, tangy smell of moist fertile earth tantalizes my nostrils; it starts a song in my soul, a lullaby to the the sleeping plants, telling them soon they will awaken and grow.