Garden Reflections…
I have never been a big fan of New Years or making resolutions. But I understand that for some New Years is a time of reflection, making plans for the future and giving a sense of renewal. For me that time of year is actually the fall. Fall is nostalgic. It is the beginning of the school year for most children in North America. It is traditionally a time for harvests and for many a welcome change of weather. For people who garden, the grind of summer has come to stop, and it is time to enjoy the fruits of our labors. I spend the summer taking my kids back and forth to activities and sports while trying to balance work as well as taking care of my garden and chickens. When the kids go back to school it both reminds me of the excitement of school starting and gives me a bit more time for projects and harvests.
From a gardening perspective, Fall is the reward for months of work. I typically start after New Years, spending my free time and energy planning out my garden and what I want to grow. Pouring over seed catalogs, watching gardening videos, and preparing to start seeds. I make plans for getting my beds ready. By the time Spring rolls around, I can’t wait to get started, and I am so excited about the early plants and vegetables coming out of the garden. Then as Summer gets closer, it’s a race to get as much done before school is out as I know my free time is about to take a back seat to swimming, camping, summer activities and fun. (Which is not a bad thing.) Then the Summer garden is keeping up on maintenance, harvesting, turning over beds, watering and weeding. All of this leading up to Fall. When a lot of the food is ready to harvest and be enjoyed or stored.
So as I reflect on this years garden, I feel like it might have been the best year yet. Of course there were failures and slow starts. Plants died and seeds didn’t germinate. Some harvests were not as plentiful as hoped but for the most part, I am happy with everything. Working in the garden and walking out there every night is like therapy. Running my fingers through the dirt and plucking a few ripe raspberries right off the bush and directly into my mouth brings a sense of calm and joy. All the little worries and stresses just seem like non issues after pulling a few weeds, transplanting some seedlings and brining in a basket full of goodies to fill the crisper drawer and our bellies.
This is how I will leave it. Growing my own food is now a part of me. It’s a part of my life and my families lives. It has changed my life for the better so even if I move away or can’t grow to the level I am right now, I will always grow something. I will continue to have the greatest respect for those who grow the food for all of us. It is not an easy job and often times after we start to grow a few things ourselves, we realize how lucky we are to have access to so much. If you were thinking about starting a garden next year or expanding your garden, do it. Just do it. You won’t regret it. Keep in mind, it’s not as easy as Instagram:) There will be failures. There will be successes. Don’t give up when things break or die. The payouts are greater than you think. Don’t let it become a competition or a burden. Let it be a joy. Let it be therapy for your soul. Be curious and feed your mind and body.
Happy Gardening
