Mother Nature's Bounty

I have been gardening for years and have had many productive gardens, but none like this year. We did replace the soil in the vegetable and flower beds with new garden mix this spring, and between the stretches of hot, humid weather and days of rain mixed in, all the plants seem to be approaching jumbo size.

After a cold spring that we thought would never give way to warmer weather, we were finally able to put plants in the ground. Of course after the last two years of battling the woodchucks, I wondered if we would face the same disappointment of losing plants to their feasting. I had decided that I would give up if they wiped us out again. Fortunately, they seem to have moved on to greener pastures as our garden has been woodchuck free so far.

Between work and rainy days, I have not had time to tend to them as I should. The plants have not seemed to feel the neglect as they have thrived in spite of my lack of attention. We have tomato plants that are 4-5 feet tall with an abundance of fruit that will soon be ready to pick. The zucchini is producing better than ever, and today I was able to pick my first green beans. Our lettuce is big, beautiful and delicious, and I look forward to the potatoes, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers that will fill our table later in the season.

My flower bed has an abundance of colorful flowers, and the wild flowers will soon be in bloom. The honey bees feasted on the chive flowers earlier this spring, and now have the luxury of tasting what the snap dragons, sunpatiens and celosia have to offer. It's such a joy to watch them collect pollen while the birds drink and splash in the bird bath.

Now that I am retired, I will find the time to have my hands in the dirt as I weed and harvest over the summer. This quiet, busy work will bring much needed peace to my soul, and calm to my life that has been missing. Mother Nature graciously gives us the gift of soothing and healing, which I will accept with an open heart and hopefully pass on to those I love.