For the Love of Gardening

We all love gardening (or we probably wouldn't be here a GS). I thought it would be fun to describe what we love about gardening and why. For me it is so many different things.

To me gardening is, probably the most fulfilling hobby I could have. It allows creativity on so many levels. It's both challenging and rewarding. I can get "lost" in it for hours. One of the things I like about it is it is always a work in progress. It is so forgiving.

Although I have never met a plant I didn't like, I think part of that comes from having been in the desert up till now. Not much worry about invasive plants taking over, with the exception of puncture vine and tumble weeds. Of course here in OK I may not like all plants, especially the poison ivy, oaks and sumacs.

Planning is mentally stimulating (I love research)

The smell of freshly turned earth is so refreshing and exhilarating!

Planting gives you something to look forward to. Takes me back to childhood and reminds me of the feelings of expectancy and excitement as in an upcoming holiday or Birthday.(You know, when life was simple, less stress, less stimulation and small things seemed big)

Gardening alone is a great time for relaxing, meditating and just enjoying nature. Somehow it is not lonely...gardening alone

Gardening with someone is a great time for sharing appreciation, ideas and sitting back to admire the fruits of your labor.

Even the physical part is rewarding, you get to burn calories and after a good workout during the day, I so much more appreciate quitting time and relaxing knowing I have done something that will benefit in the long run.

Then, when things start coming together and start blooming and producing there is such a feeling of accomplishment.

Add in some bird feeders,garden junk (My favorite) and anything else you desire (because it is your space)you have the opportunity to have your own little piece of the world, that you created.

Size doesn't really matter. You do what you can with what you have. Whether is it a few pots to an acre, you are the artist. I can't imagine my life without some form of garden. It's more than growing things, it is an addition to life that affords therapy and enjoyment in so many ways. It can also be pleasant to all of the senses.

The dormant season is just to let you get re-excited in the spring and start over

Of course there can be things that are not all pleasant in gardening, but we can save that for another post.

I would love to hear what gardening translates into for you. Who knows, I may find a few more reasons to love it.

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Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

this is what gardening is to me...by me in the '90s...

i am an artist at heart...
but lately i seem to be changing my part....

instead of pen to paper for my colorful strokes...

i`m enjoying painting the real landscape outside with dirt, seeds, rocks and jokes........

fingers and toes mingling with the dirt...

help from a rake, shovel, a hoe would not hurt....

without my partners, i`d be lost..

i wouldn`t trade them for any cost...

my pups Hope and Chow guard my garden day and night...

from unwanted critters who they chase with such delight....

the pups spend all day with me by the outskirts of the garden...

what better company to have, i beg your pardon.....

and my partner Ed, who keeps our equipment going...

what would i do without his mechanical knowing....

why i garden you might ask...

i suppose you think it`s a great big task.......

to me it brings a smile...

that lasts all day and is so worth while....

oh yes, there`s all those bugs...

a wet season sure brings on the slugs....

and oh, when down goes the sun...

one sure knows the work`s all done....

aching muscles and a tightened back...

there`s always tomorrow and more work, there`s no lack....

but what about the pleasures that be...

they can`t only be seen by me....

the hummingbird who takes a bath...

in the way of my watering hose path....

i say to hummer, "please move on"...

i`ve got more plants to put water upon....

how about seeing a big brown toad...

who hops around, makes me laugh and lightens my load....

and the dragonfly who`s on my hose sipping water...

lets me know it`s midday and getting hotter....

that means it`s time to take a lunch break..

i just hate to stop for goodness sake.... it`s afternoon and i spy Mr.Mole...

who`s sitting in the sun beside his hole...

i say to him "leave some for me"...

and before i know it he does flee....

i hear the corn whistling in the wind on high...

i am amazed that it`s truly as high as an elephant`s eye....

in the afternoon sun, i grab Pa`s old hoe...

thinking to myself "go weeds go"....

then i pick up gram`s old rake...

where it goes there is no mistake....

i`ve got another fence post to pound...

i want security from intruders all around....

i pick up dad`s old rusty hatchet...

and hammer away, for pounding nothing can match it....

the sun is slowly going down...

and peepers come out and make their sound....

while heading back to the house...

i trip over what looks like a mouse....

then i glance to the right...

and much to my amazement and delight...

the carnations i planted for gramps...

are glowing like well lit little lamps....

and then a wondrous sight my eyes do see...

for grandma the little, now big, willow tree....

oh yes, i can`t forget the little sturdy oak planted for daddy..

its leaves are so red, and in years to come it will be quite a laddy....

after dinner i slowly fall asleep...

thinking of all the sights i saw in the garden to keep....

lady bugs and butterflies, too...

now don`t you want to garden, i think you do!:O)