Time Spent in a Garden

"Time spent in a garden

is not deducted from your lifespan."

I read this on a plaque 

and suddenly it became crystal clear why

my Nana lived to be 102 years old.

I cannot remember a day spent with my grandmother,

that didn't involve at least a little time

spent in the garden.

So, if the saying holds true, 

I should be in good shape 

for a very long life!

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy 

the time that I spend each day in my garden.

Unfortunately, that was not always the case.

Last year, for example, I called it my

"Garden of Weedin"

using many expletives that are not printable!

Enter the garden boxes...

and my garden suddenly became magical.

Interspersing flowers with the vegetables

has given this space a burst of color

and provided some insect control.

I use no chemicals in my garden,

other than good old fashioned elbow grease!

This past winter, I must admit, I had

some doubt about how gardening in boxes would turn out.

I can happily say, my fears were unfounded.

I have been able to harvest the same amount of vegetables

in much less space,

with almost no weeds.

Amazing!

(mega-sugar pea box) 

I am a believer!

One of my fears involved all of the vining plants 

and whether I would have adequate space for them -

or would they choke each other and everyone else out?

What I have learned is this....

Think outside the box!

Your large vines such as squashes and watermelons

need enough space for their roots.

The rest of the plant can vine itself right over the side of the box.

Cage your tomatoes and your cucumbers so that

they grow upward as tall as possible.

This allows for more plants in a smaller space.

Cucumbers, like tomatoes, don't understand boundaries.

They will vine themselves all over the place

sharing space like an overcrowded

tenement.

That's ok with me, as long as they keep making cukes.

And judging from all the flowers on the vines,

I should be able to open a pickle stand!

Lessons I have learned:

Onions have a sense of humor...

Pull tiny weeds everyday, and you stay ahead of the game.

Water, water, water  (rain barrels help tremendously).

Bring a friend for company.

I always seem to have a few spare friends.

(Not to mention a few colorful friends!)

Don't be afraid to experiment!

I am not one to follow "rules", so my garden becomes my

very own kingdom, where I get to make the rules.

Take time to just sit in your garden.

You'll be amazed at the visitors you will have....

Thanks for visiting my garden...

you are welcome to sit here with me

anytime...at least for the next 50 years or so!

"Ye ole garden shed"....home to every garden tool known

to woman!