Gardening Takes a Village

I get by with a little help from my friends...

The Limits of Rugged Individualism

…are many. But there are some seasons of life in which I can’t even try to fool myself that I’m doing it all on my own. As our garden expands and other spheres of life continue to demand our attention and energy, I’m learning to accept help. (Actually asking for help might take me longer.)

Hi, I’m Erin, trying to do the heavy lifting since the ‘70’s.

Spring Planting

Thanks to Phillip, the garden has a great chance to stay organized this year! The silver lining to his Spring class being cancelled is that he’s working on upgrades all over the homestead. Would you look at those well-ordered planting beds?! Built up enough to avoid flooding, with straw walkways between; weeded and covered with Dairy Doo.

Anything irregular was planted by me, such as the wonky potato patch in front. The pink glow is courtesy of the sunset.

As opposed to last year’s jungled mess of vines and volunteers, which was mostly my handiwork…

Wandering squash and unstaked tomatoes and leaning corn, oh my!

And thanks to Phillip’s siblings, I was able to plant peppers and tomatoes last night. We got a late start on indoor seeds, then were greeted unprepared by an exceptionally warm May. His brother sent plants with their sister on a visit this past weekend, meaning we’ll have new varieties to eat.

Upside down chilis, lemon jalapenos, blue beauty tomatoes…

Then Phillip’s colleague & friend stopped by a couple nights ago with more plants from her garden. Gardeners are a generous bunch!

Lovage plant flourishing from what was given to us last year.

Like most gardeners, we have plants that were gifted to us or inherited from the previous homeowners. When people find out you’re a gardener, they offer you more growing things. Like my mom, whose bee balm and bachelor buttons add color and bring pollinators to our garden. Like our neighbor, who offered us a cherry tree last week. (Saying Yes to that!) Like far-flung friends and Instagram acquaintances, who send or swap seeds by mail. Which is to say, we may not have a village green or an official communal garden, but when we look around at all the plants here on our suburban lot, we see community.

Our strawberry plants, whose children are living in other people’s gardens now, too, because sharing is fun.

What about you! What plants have you shared? What plants have you been given that you love? Do you grow food at a community garden or allotment? Let me know in the comments or by replying to this email.

—Erin, in Michigan