As has been my ritual for the past few weeks, I walked outside tonight with the camera in tow ready to snap photos that I could then upload to this blog. A funny thing happened though … I almost immediately put the camera down and just roamed the property. I had forgotten one of the greatest pleasures in life (at least mine that is) … walking through the gardens, flip flops on, beverage in hand (Sierra Pale Ale) and just looked over the day’s progress on all of the trees, shrubs and perennials. It was like Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul (intentionally hokey) and it felt good. New foliage never looks more crisp and clear and colorful as it does early in the growing season. While I love the Summer and the infusion of flowers, typically the plant foliage will look washed out and you need to stay on top of the watering. This time of year brings about promise of what is to come and pushes what has been in the rear view mirror and I want to soak it all in.
Another thing I love about this time of year is the arrival of the plants purchased over the Winter. When those boxes are opened and the plants are given a chance to breathe, the possibilities are endless and I haven’t had a chance to mess things up yet. The design hat is put on and the next few days after the plants have been delivered are spent sketching out plans and imagining what can be moved where and it all comes together like a giant puzzle … until I change my mind again. Chasing that imaginary perfect design is invigorating and frustrating but never dull and I wouldn’t want it to be any different.
One last thought for the night. Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) is often maligned and often for good reason, but I can’t say enough about how friggin cool it is when it comes to finding people who have a similar interest all over the world. Selfishly, I cannot wait to read the comments I’ve received on a blog entry and to see them come from the UK, Canada, Croatia or California is really awesome (searched for a better word than awesome but couldn’t come up with one). Reading other blog entries and seeing photos of plants I could never dream of growing is still exciting and always educational. I don’t know when “blogger’s block” will strike me as I’m sure it is inevitable, but for now I am in this 100 percent and don’t plan on slowing down.
Strolling in the garden, just to enjoy it – excellent idea! It’s easy to get revved up about what is being planted and forgetting about the tranquility you’ve created. (BTW – Big thumbs up on the Pale Ale!)
It was, at first, shocking for me to meet a couple who traveled Europe without a camera. They insisted that it allowed them to drink in the beauty and culture that they experienced on a daily basis without becoming distracted by, and without hiding behind, a lens. I guess you had a similar experience today. Frantically photographing your garden may make for great blogging material, but I’ll bet that simply admiring the garden gives you greater pleasure.
About all of the new plants that are being delivered to your door:-
Don’t make the same mistake that I did. If you receive any bare root plants, let them soak in water for an hour or two before planting. This step makes a huge difference. I didn’t let them soak and it took months for them to take.
Better get excited – here’s a comment all the way from California! I’m afraid of loosing not just myself in the garden this time of year but my camera too. Sometimes I set down my camera and hours later wonder where I put it! Fortunately it hasn’t rained on it (the horror!) and for California we are getting a lot of rain.
Please don’t get bloggers block! Though with a garden to blog about I doubt you will – there is always something happening if you look closely enough. Have a nice spring!
Just thought I would stop by to say hello as you were so nice to put a comment on mine. I feel the same way about the garden. It is like little presents you receive everyday when the plants start popping up from their winter nap. Bloggers Unite. Valerie
I used to enjoy going out first thing in the morning with my cup of tea and walking bare foot on the dewy lawn.