Report From An Opinionated Gardener – May 25
…and some are not. Today I had one of the former and I’m totally, completely grateful. I did not have to get into an automobile once today, and from 7 AM until 5:30 PM I was in the garden. I weeded, planted annuals, sprayed spinosad to combat the winter moth larvae, and edited/pruned overly enthusiastic vines and perennials.
A couple of weeks ago there were two or three days that I hoped and expected to be able to do just what I did today. It didn’t happen on those occasions because a family member was sick and needed constant attention. Although my expectations weren’t fulfilled then, I was able to accomplish so much today that it prompts me to reflect on valuing the good times.
Today I planted Snow Princess Alyssum, Intensia Blueberry Phlox, Black Pearl ornamental peppers, Purple Heart Setcreasea and dozens of test annuals and perennials generously provided by Ball Horticultural and Blooms of Bressingham. I got a good start on this year’s purple and white themed Annual Alley, and potted up several containers with plants that attract hummingbirds. I noticed deer damage (those bastards!) and sprayed repellents and set put out Wireless Deer Fencing.
All in all, it was a productive, satisfying day. The take-away message isn’t about gardening, however. The good weather, a day off from work and my ability to spend over ten hours in the garden reminds me of this: expectations aren’t always fulfilled. Our desires for any particular day may or may not come to pass. Sometimes we get what we want and other times we don’t.
But when we do, when things go well and we’re replenished by satisfying work and beautiful surroundings, our focus should be on expressing gratitude for such gifts. Life is variable, random and unpredictable, so whether it’s a brief, happy moment or an extended, perfect day, we need to cherish those times and never take them for granted.
I started the day at 7 AM by taking photographs of the early morning garden. Although I intended to take pictures throughout the day, the garden called me to weed, prune, edit and plant, and the camera was forgotten.
