How Does Your Garden Grow?

Slowly and Then All At Once...

• Like falling asleep or falling in love (John Green, “The Fault in Our Stars”)

• Like the collapse of the Soviet Union

• Like going bankrupt (Hemingway, “The Sun Also Rises”). Actually, “gradually then suddenly” but you get the idea.

I complain about the gray chill, the 7-month winters, the frozen ground, and tend to wax on about my longing for gardening season. Then the sunny warmth returns and I act as if caught unawares. The near-daily rain and the rapidly thawing soil create bursts of weeds everywhere we look. I appreciate weeds for their flowers and medicinal uses. But once they have passed their phase of blossom pollen and green foliage, they must be removed in order to start our food crops. Thus, the seemingly sudden need for labor all over the property, all at once. Weeding, digging, planting, mulching, pruning. Rewarding and fortunate work.

The dandelions are bright & cheery, but we need to plant squash there.

I actually enjoy weeding. I love the satisfaction of pulling up the roots and uncovering the soil made darker and more nutrient-dense by the weeds. It’s glorious to be outside in the sun, and I finish many an audiobook this way.

Spring Photo Barrage

The neighbors’ flowering trees drop petals into our yard. Magical!

Apple blossoms in the mini orchard

Raspberry patch

Our produce aisle horseradish plant continues its 3rd (?) year.

Blueberries in blossom

Bumble on a giant bachelor button

Harvesting rhubarb

Leeks in the garden, planted last year

Solomon’s seal, transplant from my grandma’s garden a few years ago

Pear blossoms, mini orchard

Many hands make light work

But we’re down to few hands for the heavy work until early August/ after Lammas Day. Two of our number still in Japan, another gone to North Carolina, and a fourth now in Colorado for a week-long visit. Great opportunities for them all, for which we’re thankful, especially to family who are hosting our young adults. Please send hopes & prayers to our dog, who has learned the meaning of suitcases waiting by the door. I’m taking some days off work to spend with him (kidding not kidding).

Photos from Shikoku Island, Japan

New Bees!

I’m officially the beekeeper now! Only with a whole lot of help, but I’m feeling pretty great about it. My dad and his dear friend I’ve known all my life power-cleaned the frames from the old hive. Our son went with me to pick up our new colony. We got them safely home, found the queen, transferred them to the hive box, and have the joy of seeing them on their foraging flights. They are so gentle that so far I’ve been able to be around the hive with minimal protective gear.

The bees!

How goes May for you, readers? Are there garden chores you truly enjoy? What plants are currently starring in your garden? Are you facing new challenges or adventures?

—Erin, in Michigan