Yesterday was the first Saturday in a long time
That I spend the whole morning in my garden.
I didn’t dash to the farmer’s market
Didn’t run flowers to the church for Saturday Manna
I was selfish.
I started early in the sunshine
And as the heat came on
I followed the shade.
Weeding
Deadheading
Planning
Thinking
Praying
It’s mid-season here on the plains
We have an 8 – 9 month growing season.
So that makes mid- July just about the middle
Of the time between first and last frosts.
It’s too hot to transplant.
So maintenance becomes the routine.
But…mid-morning a friend came through my gate.
Hydrangeas were on her mind.
Her’s are planted under a Magnolia tree
A giant Magnolia tree.
Her Hydrangea on the other hand have
What we diagnosed as “failure to thrive”
We think the Magnolia is a bit greedy with the water.
And likely nutrients too.
So the solution for now is auxiliary water
In the form of a soaker hose at the base of the Hydrangeas
Turned on Oh So Slowly.
This should allow the water to go deeply into the root zone.
And not run off.
It’s worth a try.
I’m going to drop by soon and see if we can’t find some more hospitable homes for them.
She and I are close in age.
We are definitely at the same stage of life.
Empty nest
Worked a lot
Volunteered a lot
So what comes next.
She’s seeking
So, it occurs to me once again
That gardens do reflect our lives.
If we pay attention.
My garden is full of life
Here in the middle of the season.
Just like my friend.
They both have much left to give.
And hopefully time to give it.
So how do we re-arrange our lives.
Cutting out the stuff that overgrows
And crowds out the good things.
Even maybe shades them out completely.
Keeping extraneous thing cut back – pruned – deadheaded.
To let in the light.
It’s a challenge.
And a continual effort
To keep our gardens
And our lives
Going where we are to go.
Glad I have a garden and friends to share in the journey.
Gail
In My Garden 