Let the gardening adventure begin!
I read in the Ventura County Reporter that the act of gardening can have a healing effect in many ways, including lowering stress, creating a sense of fulfillment and generally promoting peace of mind. Are you a gardener, or have you ever tried gardening before? If so, I bet you have a clear opinion on this point.
I have been told I can expect to be out in the sun for at least an hour each day, weeding, watering, pruning and eventually harvesting. I don't know yet if this will promote my peace of mind, or become another stress inducing chore. I do desire to hopefully reduce my weekly grocery bill and love the idea of growing something with my own two hands.
I come from a long line of "Green Thumbs" and remember with great affection digging in the Alabama red clay of Granddaddy's backyard garden where we grandchillens were welcome to pick some fresh produce to add to our dinner plates. The tomatoes were so plump and delicious that we'd eat their thick slices almost like dessert, with nothing but a sprinkle of salt and pepper. I remember thinking that this must be what their love for me tasted like. The vegetables that made their way to the dinner table included okra, yellow squash, corn, onions and an assortment of beans which were all planted just beyond the shade of a majestic pecan tree that dropped lots of nuts.
While memories like this are so vivid from my childhood, I do not recall ever planting my own garden later in life. I have married into a family of talented gardeners, my in-laws have successfully grow their own produce for many years. In fact, their peppers, garlic, strawberries, rhubarb, grapes, tomatoes, green beans, and lettuce are regularly featured in the family meals. Papa Bruno sometimes proudly walks past the planter box in his backyard to update whomever is listening as to what is currently growing there.
The latest prompt titled Create and Change, invited us writers to create something that is meaningful and reflect on the experience. We could create anything: a painting, photograph, song... I decided to create a garden. I am realizing now it probably would have been easier if I had chosen something with a shorter timeline. Like say, some sort of art project.
But no, I decided to plant my first edible garden as if the expression "farm to table" is that easy. In fact, "farm-to-table" is a social movement which promotes serving local foods preferably through direct acquisition from the producer. No middle man must be easier, right? Not quite...
When this idea came to mind, I fantasized about rolling up my flannel sleeves, and maybe wiping sweat from my brow with a handkerchief produced from my back pocket. I imagined I would press my hands deep into dark rich soil, and then massage seeds into the earth in evenly spaced rows. However, this is not at all how the start of this adventure unfolded.
My husband and I decided to begin building our first edible garden on Memorial Day. He approached this task with his usual construction zeal and enthusiasm; confidently prepared, with a clear and decisive plan sketched out in his mind. That plan was not so clearly sketched in my own mind. I did not think about the measuring, hammering and cement pouring that would be necessary before we could even consider growing anything.
We began by leveling the fence posts as best we could and pounded them deep enough into the ground to discourage groundhogs and squirrels, while still being tall enough to also keep out deer... and maybe even bear! My husband got out his level to make sure each post was straight, and I became obsessed with trying to get those darn bubbles to line up, which slowed down the whole process.
Since this writing assignment was the catalyst for creating our garden, my husband suggested I utlilize a strategy that helps me recall events of the day, taking notes. This strategy looks different for everyone. For me, I use the voice-to-text feature on my iPhone and can be found talking to it all day long.
As I kept pausing to take notes, I could tell my husband was getting irritated. While he was busting out his handy yellow tape measure and digging holes for the posts, I propped a board, that will become part of the raised bed, onto my work boot so I could free my hands, reach for my phone and record a note about this moment.
Whenever I had questions about the hows and whys, my husband would respond. “Don’t worry, we’re gonna work it out.” As he continued to figure out how to lay the concrete for the bottom of the posts, I commented, “I don’t really care for this part of gardening. I am bored.” He discerned it would probably be quicker if he just did this part himself. So he excused me. I walked inside, made myself lunch and enjoyed my usual afternoon cat nap while he battled the sun and continued to work.
As I lay down for my nap, I pictured the beautiful lush rows of lettuce leaves, tomatoes and cucumber. I could smell the damp soil rich with nutrients and full of possibility. We are going to start with a garden plot that is 16’ x 16’, positioned near the well house and the watering hose. This is when I realized that the first seeds may not be budding by this assignment's deadline. So for this first year, we'll purchase seedlings instead and we'll see where this adventure leads us.