Ready to Be One with the Earth
Spring snow.... we don't want any, but we always have at least a storm or two after the first day of spring arrives. It's usually wet, heavy snow that melts in a few short days. When I was growing up, my father would call it "poor man's manure"; something to put nutrients in the soil for the upcoming growing season.
Although the past week has not been very warm, we did have a bright, sunny weekend before our latest snowfall. I decided to take advantage of the sunshine after feeling cooped up and gathered some tools to work on my flower bed. This is phase one - work that gives me a glimmer of hope and visions of what's to come.
I have not made many changes in my flower bed for several years, so it's definitely time for a refresh. It felt good to rake up the old mulch, aerate the soil and get things ready to lay down some new soil once all the snow has gone. I pulled all the old, dead growth from last year away from the Tiger Lilies and chives which have new growth emerging and reaching for the sun.
The garlic has already emerged in the vegetable garden, and I look forward to planting in a couple of months. After cleaning up the chives, oregano and sage there was little more I could do until Mother Nature graces me with proper planting weather. Of course, she will do this when the moment is right, and I'm sure in true fashion she will give us a hiccup or two before that time arrives.
Unable to move forward, the only thing left to do was make a plan. I had already decided which flowers I want this year, so I took my paper and pen to carefully lay out where each will go. Liberty Snapdragons along the back, Straw Flowers on each end, and a few Sunpatiens and Celosia (Feather flowers) along the front with the chives and garlic chives. Of course, like every other year, the wildflowers will be near the bird bath.
I can see all of this so clearly in my mind; a mix of brilliant colors to brighten each day. Visions of birds fluttering their wings in the bird bath, and bees and butterflies feasting on the pollen each flower provides brings a smile to my face. There is nothing better for the soul than the beauty that nature gives us so freely.
So, here I sit waiting patiently, or maybe I should say impatiently. Until I can become one with the earth, and put my plan in motion, I will have to use my imagination to create visions of what will be.
Although the past week has not been very warm, we did have a bright, sunny weekend before our latest snowfall. I decided to take advantage of the sunshine after feeling cooped up and gathered some tools to work on my flower bed. This is phase one - work that gives me a glimmer of hope and visions of what's to come.
I have not made many changes in my flower bed for several years, so it's definitely time for a refresh. It felt good to rake up the old mulch, aerate the soil and get things ready to lay down some new soil once all the snow has gone. I pulled all the old, dead growth from last year away from the Tiger Lilies and chives which have new growth emerging and reaching for the sun.
The garlic has already emerged in the vegetable garden, and I look forward to planting in a couple of months. After cleaning up the chives, oregano and sage there was little more I could do until Mother Nature graces me with proper planting weather. Of course, she will do this when the moment is right, and I'm sure in true fashion she will give us a hiccup or two before that time arrives.
Unable to move forward, the only thing left to do was make a plan. I had already decided which flowers I want this year, so I took my paper and pen to carefully lay out where each will go. Liberty Snapdragons along the back, Straw Flowers on each end, and a few Sunpatiens and Celosia (Feather flowers) along the front with the chives and garlic chives. Of course, like every other year, the wildflowers will be near the bird bath.
I can see all of this so clearly in my mind; a mix of brilliant colors to brighten each day. Visions of birds fluttering their wings in the bird bath, and bees and butterflies feasting on the pollen each flower provides brings a smile to my face. There is nothing better for the soul than the beauty that nature gives us so freely.
So, here I sit waiting patiently, or maybe I should say impatiently. Until I can become one with the earth, and put my plan in motion, I will have to use my imagination to create visions of what will be.
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| Mother Nature's Fertilizer |
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