FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T know, I am an unabashed, die-hard gardener. I'm one of those people who dreams about plants and have been known to shimmy past the grocery aisles in favor of the garden section. I'll take compost over diamonds, a thorny rose bush over a florist's cut flowers and a trip to the nursery rather than the mall. In fact today during my lunch hour I went plant shopping because it had been a whole four days since my last nursery visit.
Fortunately I'm not like this all year long. By mid-August or so, I get tired of my futile attempts at saturating the hardpan that reliably takes over once the seasonal rain goes on hiatus. My hoses habitually kink up and cause strange sounds to emanate from my mouth as they assault the plethora of overgrown plants.
But in April, May and through July, I'm a happy camper. Especially when the weather is decent like it's been lately. Right now, daily, I'm witnessing the miracle of life. Dormant perennials poke up from the soil and once-barren sticks sprout tiny leaves and thrill me with their desire to live and thrive in my garden. It's an honor to care for my plant children.
For the non-gardener I'm sure my infatuation/obsession seems like a lesson in futility and often it is just that. But there is something remarkably soothing and alluring about creating and tending my little piece of Earth.
I've been very fortunate. I have been garden writing professionally since 2003. I recently signed a book deal for my garden book which is all about my ups and downs during the thirty years I've been gardening. Don't worry. It's not a how-to tome. There are plenty of those already out there. Mine is more personal and a chance for me to exhibit my wry sense of humor.
Are you a gardener? Do you enjoy it year round or during the spring and summer months? Or does dirt make you cringe? If so, it's okay. Gardening isn't for everybody. What especially do you find inspiring during the spring months?