I have historically enjoyed gardening all year long. This is hard to imagine since I live “up north” where it snows for 6 or 7 months every year. Even in the depths of winter the idea of gardening can flourish. I browsed through seed catalogues in January. I planned and re-planned my garden throughout February and March. I anticipated the ground thawing in April so that my husband could prepare the soil. Finally, about May 15th I would begin to plant 5000 square feet of herbs, vegetables, and perennials.
For the past several years I have enjoyed this gardening cycle. Our family would spend countless hours tending our garden: weeding, watering and then weeding and watering again. Throughout the summer we would enjoy the fruits of our labor. Our harvest, although not always as plentiful as we would hope, brought fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs and beautiful fresh flowers into our home.
This year we have relocated and I find myself looking out over the 18th fairway of a golf course instead of scanning acres of wilderness. At first glance, this was a bit disconcerting and a little sad. Now I realize my garden will simply take on a different look. We have a small deck outside our dining area. It’s a great spot to view the golfing scene. This is where my garden, albeit small, will flourish. I have some terrific faux ceramic pots that I will plant with lovely annuals in attractive arrangements. I am even grooming a beautiful hibiscus tree inside in hopes of setting it out on the deck. Finally, I look forward to harvesting herbs from a small pottage garden nurtured on the same deck. I will even try to work with a patio tomato as well.
Gardening is a lovely pastime even on a small scale.
Now I’m wondering what I will do with all of the countless hours I will save this summer since I’m not watering and weeding day in and day out. Perhaps I will golf!
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce…Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:5-7).
